Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-02-09
THROUGH FIRE.

u w
every other detail was knowE to Rush
bottom and the surrounding neighbor-
hood long before the ashes Of the old
farm house had had time TO cool.
AS Mrs. Blakey, for the hundredth
tune, explained to the eager inquireTs,
Mark cher husband) had left home Mon
day to dispose Of his corn crop, and she
wasn't expecting him back until Wednes-
day morning. On Tuesday afternoon,
at exactly 5 80. she had stepped into the
garden to take in few towels from the
clothes line. leaving little Dicky and the
baby with their grandparents in thu lat
ter's own room.
The old lady was very deaf, and her
husband confined to his arm chair with q
rheumatic attack. She had wearying
6ay, so she remained some time in the
garden, resting on the green bench in the
hop arbor, when suddenly she observed
man standing up in buggy in the
road, looking intently toward the house;
and at the same time Asa Davis came
tearing across the meadow field, shout
ing Fire FireI'
On this she ran into the house, where
che found her father quietly asleep in
his chair, and her mother vigorously
rocking the cradle with one foot, and
singing,
'tFlee from the flames of wrath divineI'
while behind them, just two rooms off, a
tongue OF flame was rising from the
kitchen-dresser, and sweeping out at the
open window. And after this, as Mrs.
Blakey declared, she hardly knew what
happened until she found herself and
family in the yard, in the midst of a great
crowd, while their home was burning
down before their eyes.
The good woman did not tell to these
curious folk what it was that had kept
her so long in the hop-arbor. She did
not tell how, before : Mark went away
to the city, he had charged her not to
allow young Walter Healy, the under
teacher in the Rushbottom Academy"
to meet their daughter Bessie at the gate
in the sunset, or to walk home with her
from the prayer meeting on Tuesday
night.
"This thing must be put q stop to-
Mark Blakey had sternly said; " or if
Bessie chose to marry man not able to
support her, she might do so, and never
expect any help from himself, unless, "
he added, with the grim sarcasm with
which he always alluded to the subject,
ssthey should have the good luck to find
the five hundred dollars and dozen silver
spoons which old Aunt Placev had always
said should belong to Bessie, and yet
had suddenly died without revealing
where she had kept them"
And 50 Mrs. Blakey had had long
talk with her daughter, ending in sharp
lecture upon the folly of marrying poor
man, and contrasting her probable lot as
Mrs. Healy with what it would be as
the wife Of Scion Winder, the richest
store keeper in Rushbottom, whose
devoted attentions Bessie had persistently
snubbed. And the girl had shut herself
in her room and cried all day, while the
mothers heart was Ill at ease, despite
tho conviction that she was acting for
the best.
Still, mindful 6f her husbands direc-
ton, as the evening approached she sent
Bessie into the attic on some tedious
business which would keep her there be.
yond the hour when she was accustomed
to take her evening race with little
Dickey TO the big gate, where of late she
young sch0o. teacher, by some strange
chance, generally happened to be pass
ing ct that time.
For some weeks he had not visited at
the farm house, where he had been clear
| " enough given to understand that he
| was not welcome, except to Bessie.
He was q good looking, we'll behaved,
manly young fellow, whom everybody
| liked, and this evening" Mrs. Blakey,
stepping into the garden for her towels,
| had felt her conscience reproach her for
the part she was acting; and in the
screen Of the hop vines had sat down
and cried, just as Bessie was at that
moment doing In the attic.
ssFire Firep' This was the alarm
| which, spreading rapidly to Rushbottom,
4 about . mile distant, aroused that peace
/ ful settlement into . state Of unwonted
activity and excitement. The Rushbot-
tom Gro brigade Of course at once turned
| out. Each man, leaving whatever bush
| ness he was about. rushed TO the spot
i where the Ere alarm bell was ringing ia
ascertain for himself that Il was done Oh
good authority. Then the captain Of the
brigade assembled to the roof Of the car.
/ rage house IN which the old engine was
kept. aud, with i glass earnestly sur
| veyed the point Of bright flame at ! dis.
lance. to Be sure that il was really IRE.
Having satisfied himself On this point. Id
gave orders and the men fastened Il
/ don their waterproof coats and helmets
Some further time MS consumed ii hunt.
inn M the four horses from Different
places. and then then the IRE brigade.
with engine hose and ladders. ratified