Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-06-18

the morrow, when some one lightly
him on the shoulder.
Turning suddenly he beheld the eb-
ony visage of young colored waiter,
with whom he had a slight acquaint-
ance.
"How are you, Sambo:" he asked
patronisingly.
"Oh, berry we'll, tank'e, but I'ze in
a powerful hurry, and cum over dis
way to hunt some pusson to do me a
favor"
"All right, shady. Then I'm the
one yer arter. How much are yer go
ing to guv:'
Just one shilling, and it's only tC
tote note to young coored lady
dat Ibis wild some white folks piece
up town. She's actin in the 'pacity
of chambermaid, and her name am So
phronia johnson "
"Well, give US the change and the
letter. an I'm off,
"Whew.,' exclaimed the boy, as h.
started off with the letter in his pock.
ct and the directions in his head
The very house they druv ME from
this mornin'. Wonder if the niggel
will order me off the stoop.'
AS the Young "colored gemman
had said. it was "onl = a piece mp town,
the house being on Madison avenue
Just above Hoffman street.
But rs the boy neared the corner oI
the street piercing cry of "flre.
Fire. reached his ear. Hurrying on
to see from whence it came, to hi,
it proved to be the very
house to Which he was bent on his er.
rand rs letter carrier.
The fire alarm had been sounded,
and q crowd was rapidly gathering be,
fore TIE door, and among them the
bootblack was soon standing.
In some way the fire had gained d
headw.y before its existence had been
discovered. aud the flames were dart.
ing upward through the vide halls
and into the second story. The stair
case was wrapped in reathing cloud
Of smoke, and little flames of crimson
light appeared III its midst, and on tue
pavement just beyond stood gray
haired man. with clasped hands and !
fac stricken with terror.
Oar young friend recognized him
at oucs. II Was the same old gentle
man who had told him SO grutfly tc
"be or that morning, and in an in.
slant he took il al ln-that he wa
the father of the beautiful young lady
he had seen ut the window, and tina,
some one was psrishing in the flames
"My child, my pet ne was saying
t. himself; then, turning
rxcitedIy TO the gathering crowd, be
exclaimed in tones that sounded above
the din Of the approaching engines,
and the hum of the murmuring throng
. bout him.
"A hundred dollars to the one who
will save my grsndchild, Who will
save my grandchid:
Il will ~ responded shrill voice
at his side; no other than that Of the
poor bootblack Of the morning
"lou are only child,' he began.
Bat the boy, pointing to the twirl
ing flames above him, interrupted has,
tIly:
Tell me were the child is, and for
God S sake be quick
in the second story back, in lit
tie crib"
Some of you fellers boost ME onto
that lodge above the parlor winder..
said the boy to the gaping bystanders
land I'll have it down in twinkllng.
Quickly they did his bidding, snt
in less time than it takes to relate it
he had clambersd TO the front cham
Der window, and, effecting an entranc,
disappeared amid the choking smok,
that was fast filling the room.
He soon found the crib, and taking
the little sleeper in his arms, wrapped
it up head and foot in . blanket ha
tore from the rosewood bedstead at hi.
side.
Then pulling off one of the sheet.
he endeavored to tear it into shrsds
but in vain it Was made of the fines
and strongest linen. His knife, how
ever, was in his pocket, and hastily
whipping it out, he cut it into mum
Der of strips.
Then tying them together by way
of rope, he fastened it about the mid
die of the child.
"Here it u.s." he shouted, and at once
proceeded to lower the child into it>
grandlather's outstretehed arms.
\ great cher sounded up from the
below, and the tiremen, see
ing the pr, carious condition of the
boy, ran for a ladder. But every in
slant the danger increased, and he
could now feel the seething fire almost
catching him in its msrcilsss embrace
81 must jump" he shouted, and .
hundred hands reached out to catch
him as he gave the leap
But with all the eageraess of those
beneath him, they missed their reck-
aning, aud he fell heavily to the
ground.
Tender hands raisel him. tut there
was no recognition in the still, white
face.
A deep cash across the forehead
pointed to the most serious wound he
had received, and, without once open
ing his eyes or giving the least sign ol
he was borne to hos
pital.
1t was many days before he recover.
ed his senses-weeks before he could
walk. But when this stage had beer
reached he was the recipient of good
tidings. The hundred dollars, which
seemed a fortune in his inexperienced
eyes. was certainly his; but better
than this was the news that the par
ents of the child he had saved intend
ed to take his future in their charge.
hn L