The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-07

who had come to dispute with her the
possession of this, her old home, who would
wiring it from her, and lay it in heap Of
ruins before her eyes.
Shrieking "Fire fire " she rushed up
stairs to find that all were astir; then
down again, hurrying her boys to place
of safety, and striving with trembling
hands to secure some valuable papers and
old silver. The maid came and helped
her, and soon the farm hands, who lived
at little distance, and other neighbors
gathered. But the old house was doomed.
The flames spread rapidly over and
through the back part of it, shedding
brilliant light on the surrounding gloom,
before only broken by the lightning
flashes.
care we all safe ?" cried Mrs. Pritch-
ard. She could see Jim among the men
unloosing the animals and leading them
to places of safety. She was sure she bad
heard shout from Pat; Susan, the maid,
was wringipg her hands and making ex-
CARNATIONS of woe close beside her.
"But where's Aunt Nancy, Susan ?"
"She's about here somewheres, ma'am (;
she was acomin' right down after me-"
But Miss Nancy was not about any
where, and Mrs. Pritchard's rapidly grow
ing fear was brought suddenly to dread
full certainty by the sight of the poor old
lady at the window of her room, looking
dazed and helpless with fright. A cry of
horror went up as men ran for ladders,
for the stairs were sheet of fame.
But the ladders were always hung
under the roof of the long back porch,
and were now burning with it. And as
swift flying feet went for others, many a
fear was felt that their help might come
too late.
Through Mrs. Pritchard's terror had
just broken the thought, &C. haven't seen
Pat yet, where can the boy be ?" when a
light figure flew around the corner of the
house, and shot up the old elm tree with
almost the quickness of the Pickering
shadows cast by the flames. Next he
was seen at the end of rope, swinging
back and fourth between the tree aud the
window. And those who looked on
scarcely drew breath as he presently
sprang to the window-sill and disap.
peared within the room. Miss Nancy
had sunk upon the bed, slight touch of
the lightning having partially stupe-
fed her.
"Arrah, ma'am," said Pat, taking in
her condition and the danger of the stu.
alton with one glance of his keen eye,
"it's sorry I am to come into a lady's
room widout shtoppin' to knock and say,
'The top O. the mornin' to ye,' but there's
gintlemen beyant there" pointing to the
closed door, on the other side of which
could be heard the swapping of the burn
ing wood, "as wants to take possession
immajetly, and won't take no denial
ma'am-aisy, thin, just shtep, now
With GOODNESS far beyond his years
born of his training among city excite
ments, he was half coaxing, half support
ing her through the fast-thickening smoke
to the window, around which those below
were eagkly watching.
"Juup, Miss Nancy-jump We'll
catch you," cried dozen voices.
"See thin all waitin' for ye-an Elegant
jump twill be. What if ye was in five
shtory tinement house and the cruel bricks
below2 Now, thin"
But poor Miss Nancy could not jump
and Pat tore the sheets from the bed anc
knotted them together as he hurriedly re
solved on making desperate attempt tt
| iOWoi hoi W tuo SIOuuus ne bllBu
doorway behind them had fallen in glow
ing embers, and the fire flew halfway
across the room, when the welcome sounC
of ladder outside scraping against tn,
withdrawing was heard. Pat, ex
erting all his boyish strength, and disre
garding Miss Nancy's nervous screams
managed to place her in the arm
stretched to receive her. Then, with
bound, he reached the ground first, anc
stood ready to help as she was brough
down, while tongue of fame darted afte
them as if in wrath at their escape.
A crash of thunder drowned the cry O
triumph which greeted them, and thel
the welcome rain poured down, saving tn
barn and other buildings from the fire.
Jim took his departure for the city a
the time set, but he went without Pat. 4
boy was wanted on the place to assist il
cleaning up the wreck left by the fire
then to wait on the masons who laid tn
foundations for new house; then +
fetch and carry for the carpenters as tn
walls rapidly arose under their lively ham
mering; then to help remove rubbish an,
get things settled in the new home. An
then Aunt Nancy said
II big storm should come, and thi
house should get struck by lightnin' an
get afire and burn down some night
there isn't Twin soul but Pat could &c
me out of it alive. Ruth, think Pat bel
ter stay" And Pat staid.--Harper's.