Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-29

That was scarcely a time for taking
any particular nouce Of peoples looks,
yet had an impression that he was
not altogether stranger to me.
lie looked up TO the roof The de-
lay of those few minutes had given a
fearful advantage to the FIRE. There
IS death up there" he said sis saving
this mill SO very important to you?'
IF it is burned I am beggar.
Every kopeck l am worth is init 4
hundred roubles if you will help me
save II"
1--WE can talk of the re ward after>
ware, " he said, and ne sprang past
me and up the ladder like cat.
l was following, too eagerly, perhaps
to be careful, and I am heavy man.
A round broke, and down | came,
with a knee so much twisted that l
could hardly stand. It was no longs
er IN my power to climb to the roof.
But from where propped myself
against wall, I could see that ragged
fellow, who was up and doing enough
for three or four ordinary men. You
should have seen how he sent the
shingles rafting down. Seen from
below, he seemed at times to be work.
ing with fire all around hia, but he
went on without minding it. [ never
saw an Englishman-1et alone a Russ
lan-go to it with better will.
heard the people round me say that
he worked more like fend than a
mortal man-and so he did. He hand
led the burning wood as though his
fingers had been iron instead of flesh
and bone, and scarcely seemed to
shrink from the flames that blazed up
round his face. He never appeared
to rest Or stay for breath till he had
succeeded in cutting off the commu-
nicatioa between the fire and the mill,
Imade the men below set the lasder
as handily as they could for him to
get down, and he did his best to reach
1t. But he must have been quite used
up, beng pretty much blinded and
sutfocated with the smoke. Anyway
he lost his footing, aad down he went
through the rafters and crashed
among the burning rubbish below.
Il WAS az ugly fall.
We got aim out as we'll as we could
and such scorched, smoke blaeken~
ed. smashed up copy Of Gods image
should never wish to see again. But
he was was still alive, and to the pro
posal to carry him straight to the
hospital I said, mo; take him into
nay house." So they took him ia.
After we had got the fire quite un-
der, and made all safe about the mill,
[ limped to the side of the bed where
they had laid the poor fellow. He
had come around bit by that time.
He tried to open his eyes, but it seem
ed to me that the fire and smoke had
not left aim much power of seeing
with them. He spoke, however, more
distinctly than might have been ex
pected, and his first question was
whether the mill was safe.
told hin that owing to his pluck it
was. was surprised to find that he
recognized ny voice, and still more
when he named my name. You do
not know me-" he said-and, indeed,
it was not likely that any one should
know such a crushed and shapeIess
mass of clnder as he was-"You do not
know me- Feodor Stepanovitch.
They caught me and took me back. [
knew you when you spoke to nae in
the street. but dared not answer, lest
they should suspect you of having De
friended me. I have escaped from
them again, and am going home to
Ivanova. [ must see my wife and
that william Makaroff."
He lay little while, and then added:
II am glad was here to help you to-
night. [ am glad they did not take
me again before got here. do not
think the politzia will take nae again"
And they did rot, for he was dead
within an hour of that time.
That, sir, is the end of my story of
light handy, for somehow l have let
my pipe out? And, bless me, my
pipe bowl is quite wet. I believe I'm
crying. What an old fool I ana.