Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-10-15
The Prairie Fire.

ish voice.
eyes, Lindy; what's wanted?''
ssMa wants to know how long it'll.
be fore you're ready
"Oh, tell her I'll be at the door by
the time she gets her things on. Be
sure you have the butter and eggs all
ready to put into the wagon. We're
maxim too late a start to town.
Butter and eggs, indeed! AS if
Lindy needed reminder other than
the new dress for which they were to
be exchanged.
''Elmer and l can 60 to town next
time can't we. ma % she asked, en-
tering the house.
eyes, Lindy; I hope so, was the
reply. "But don't bother me now !;
your pa is coming already, and I
haven't my shawl on yet. Yes, Will
bur; I'm here. Just put this butter
in, Lindy, I'll carry the eggs in my
lap. Now, Lindy, don't let Elmer
play with the fire or run away"
And in moment more the heavy
lumber wagon ratified away from the
door, and the children stood gazing
after it for awhile, in a half-forlorn
manner. Then Lindy went in to do
her work, Elmer resumed his play,
and soon everything was moving
along as cheerfully as ever.
After dinner, Elmer went to sleep,
and Lindy, feeling rather lonely
again. went out-of doors for a change.
1t was warm autumnal day, almost
the perfect counterpart of dozen or
more which had preceded it. The
sun shone brightly and the hot winds
that swept through the tall grass
made that and all else it touched so
dry that the prairie seemed like a
vast Undertook. Though her par
ents had but lately moved to this
place, Lindy was accustomed to the
prairies. She had been born ON them,
and her eyes were familiar with moth
ing else; yet, as she stood to-day
with that brown, unbroken expanse
rolling away before her until it
reached the pale blush-gray of the
sky, the indescribable feeling of awe
and terrible solitude which such
scene often inspires in one not fa-
millar with it stole gradually over
her. But Lindy was far too practi-
cal to remain long under such an in
fuence. The chickens were ''peep-
ing" loudly, and she remembered
that they were still without their din
ner.
As she passed around the corner
of the house with dish of corn in
her hands, the wind almost lifted her
from the ground. 1t was certainly
blowing with greater violence than
during the morning.
Great tumble weeds went flying by,
turning over and over with lightning
like rapidity; then, pausing for an
instant's rest, were caught by anoth-
er gust and carried along, mile after
mile, till some fence or other obsta-
Gle was reached, where they could
pile up in great drifts. and wait till
a brisk wind from an opposite direc-
ton should send them rolling and
tumbling all the way back. But Lin
dy did not notice the tumble-weeds.
The dish of corn had fallen from her
hand, and she stood looking straight
ahead with wide-open, frightened
eyes.
What was the sight that so fright
ened her?
Only a line of fire below the hori-
zon. Only line of fire, with forked
flames darting high into the air, a
cloud of smoke drifting away from
them, A beautiful relief. this bright.
changing spectacle from the brown
monotony of the prairie.
for Lindy. Her heart had given one
great bound when she first saw the
red line, and then it seemed to cease
beating. She had seen many prairie
fires; had seen her father and other
men fight them, and she knew at
once the danger her home was in.
What could she, little girl, do to
save it, and perhaps herself and her
little brother, from the destroyer
which the south wind was bringing
straight towards them?
Only for a moment Lindy stood
white and motionless; then with a
bound she was at the we'll. Her
course was decided upon. If only
time and strength were given her.
Drawing two pals of water, she laid
a large bag in each, and then, get
ting some matches, hurried out be-
yond the stable. She must fight fire
with fire. That was her only hope ;
but strong, experienced man would
have shrunk from starting back fire
in such wind.
She fully realized the danger; but
it was possible escape from other
wise inevitable destruction, and she
hesitated not an instant to attempt
it. Cautiously starting blaze, she
stood with a wet bag ready to smoth-
er the first unruly flame.
The great fire to the southwark
was rapidly approaching. Prairie
chickens and other birds, driven from
their nests, were flying over, utterine
| distressed cries. The air was fu1l al