Huntsville gazette., 1888-01-14

I'm not . frald cat, said Vic,
stoutly.
mo, you aren't" replied Dick.
"cause you're twin to me, but if
you wasn't twin to boy, you'd be
just like Hessie."
We'll, you will have to stay right
here" said Hester. firmly, whether
Pm fraid cat or not If that money
gets stolen, you'll have to work till
you die to make it up"
Hester had been up and at work
since early dawn. and she was so
tired that sitting by the baby's cradle,
she fell fast asleep her head against
the arm of her fathers large chair.
She was aroused by Dick coming
softly into the kitchen.
What are you doing. Dickp" she
asked sharply.
Nothing" said Dick. "just 'speri-
menting,' and waiting until Hester $
head dropped again, he snatched a
handful of matches and ran back to
the woodshed Hester and the baby
slept quietly on, till both were startled
by cry from Vic. who tore into the
kitchen as white as sheet.
''The house is on fire." she cried.
Hester! Hester! The house is on
firer'
Hester sprang to her feet, and seiz.
ing pail of water, rus he'd to the
wood-shed from which flames were
leaping. She and the twins worked
with might and main, but all to no
purpose. the flames crept steadily on
to the kitchen wall, spreading faster
and faster every minute.
Its no use," came from Hester s
white lips, 'let's save what we can,
and running back, she wrapped the
baby in blanket and carried him to
place of safety, telling the others to
follow with the cradle.
As she ran, she thought of the
things she must save. Her fathers S
Sunday coat, her mothers black silk
dress and the silver spoons. "We
must save them," she said to Vic.
The three fought the fire and smoke.
until every thing of any value was
safe in the yard, and then they sank
exhausted ON the grass.
Fortunately there was no wind, and
the fire made but slow progress.
Hester, throwing herself down by
the baby, tried to get the smoke out of
her lungs. AS she lay with closed
eyes, horrible thought shot through
her brain.
She had forgotten the money!!
"Dickr' she cried, springing to her
feet, I must 60 back once more for the
money. How could forget it?"
Don't 60, Hessie," sobbed Vic,
you'll II be burned to DEATH"
'Td rather work every day till
die" urged Dick. But Hester was
across the yard and at the door of the
house.
Don't you come" she called back;
stay with the baby"
Mr.. Duncan had put the money in
an old chest of drawers, as the safest
place he could think OF. Locking it
securely he had given the key to his
wife during his absence. All this
passed through Hester's mind as she
ran. She stopped long enough to pick
up an axe, which lay near the wood
shed. and then dashed into the room
where the money was kept.
1t being on the opposite side of the
house where the fire started, the flames
had not yet reached it, but it was filled
with smoke. Cropping her way to the
chest, she tried to drag it to the win.
dow, but it was more than she could
do alone. Selling the axe, she sum-
moned all her strength and sent il
crashing through the wood. The chest,
although old, was strong, and she was
forced to deal blow after blow before
she reached the bag containing the
money. By this time her strength
was almost gone.
The flames had reached the room by
this time and added to her terrors as
they roared and cracked all around
hCi' OhO lOchOu iooPttilih do INV
window. Could she ever reach itP
There was no hope of escaping by way
of the door. Grasping the money bag
firmly, she threw her apron over her
head and CROPPED for the window.
How she got out, She never could re-
member, every thing turned black be-
fore her eyes, and when she came 10
herself, Dick and Vic were crying over
her, while kind Mr.. James, their
neighbor, was bathing her face with
water.
He had seen the smoke from his own
house, aad had galloped over as fast as
his horse could carry him. He had
reached the window in time to see
Hester fall back, overcome by the
heat, and had rescued her with diff
Guilty. In another minute the brave
little life would have been lost.
When Mr. and Mrs. Duncan re-
turned, they found the children safe
at Mr.. James and their home in ashes.
Il don't care for any thing. so long