Daily Republican., 1888-04-04
ELsIE's PERIL.
BY q. d s.

Clang, clang, clang, rang out on the
still midnight air the bell of fire en-
gine as it dashed swiftly along the
stony street, the horses plunging and
snorting rs though scsnting the dan
ger ahead.
The steamer rocked from side To
side, its great black smoke stack emit.
ting shower Of sparks, looking more
like n mighty helper of thai grim
monarch Fire than lis most powerful
enemy.
But what IS the destination of this
guardian of public safety, that IL
dashes 80 recklessly along?
Is IL in the direction OF the palaces
OF the rich and powerful? Are the
lives of those favored children OF For.
tune endangered7
No! the destination is far different
one. It is to the hoaes of the poor,
the abode of the toiling masses, where,
tenjoying silently their well earned
rest, sleep On tue honest sons of labor,
the strong right arm OF the nation.
The red glare In the distance grows
brighter as the scene OF the conflagra
tion is ncared. The painting engine
hal,s suddenly at little distance
from one Of those tall brick buildings
of which there are so many in the
great city, digriied by the name Of
"nat," hut where dozeus OF families
arc huddled together in contracted
quarters, with not half the comforts
that the wealthy lavish upon their
horses.
Now, tho scene is one of activity,
and though the fire has only fairly
started, Il vast crowd is assembled.
gazing almost huncrily at the fire,
which grows fiercer every moment.
The occupants of the building are
rushing wildly about, striving to keep
together the few things they have saw
ed from the flames, and counting their
little ones TO see that none Is lost.
Suddenly there Ia comm0tion in
the thIong of oDlookers, as white
haired and feeble woman forces her
way through the crowd.
There is q fierce look in her eyes,
her hair is streaming in the wind and
her clothing is disarranged.
Pushing past the sturdy officers who
arc engaged In keeping the fire lines
intact, she reaches the nearest fireman
who Is the foreman of one Of tho en-
gine companies. Raising her thin,
bare arm and pointing her bOny finger
In the direction OF one OF the extreme
upper windows she cried aloud us her
shrill voice rang out above the din and
confusion:
''Therel there! up In that room she
is; my Elsie, my hearts love. Will
no one save my childg She is sick and
helpless. For Gods sake save her."i
A thrill of horror almost paralyzed
the terrified listeners. The strong
voice OF the foreman rang clearly out;
Run up the ladders, boys, there's
a girl in that room" (pointing 10 a |
window on the top floor). Who'll |
volunteer to save herr"
Come, men, don't hesitate! if there's
one Of you who's willing 10 risk his !
life, let him speak,"
The words were hardly uttered |
when Tom Bradford, the youngest
man in the company, sprang forward. |
To run up the ladder was but the
work of an instant. With the aid OF
a grappling ladder which was passed
to him the brave fireman reached the
window, and in u moment had disap-
peared within the fiery furnace.
The smoke now began to pour from
the window, gradually increasing in
volume, now and then augmented by
a lurid tongue of flame that leaped far
out into the deep darkness OF the
night.
When the smoke and flames were
seen pouring from the window through
which gallant Tom Bradford had
plunged to help the sick and helpless
one within, prayer went up from
the hearts I-tths anxious watchers
9eiow ior his safety. TfS-smoke grew
! iiueSHser and denser, and fh-s fierce
flames darted out as if sending acial-
lenge to the brave workers below. n
was now found necessary to take
away the ladders from the front Of the
building, thus cutting off this avenue
OF escape from the brave boy within.
Every effort was now being made to
coniine the fire TO the burning build
Ing, and streams of water were CON
stantly playing ON the walls of those
adjoining. The fierce flames lit upI
brilliantly the surrounding scene, and
presented picture both fascinating
and terrible.
Suddenly the dim outline of hu.
man form was discovered making its
way carefully along the roof, while
the fire burst forth with renewed fury,
and showed to the excited watchers
below the figure of Tom Bradford
clasptng in his arms a human form
enveloped in white. When the fright
iul peril Of the situation had been
fully impressed on the vision of the
startled spectators, mighty shout
rang out on the midnight air, in which
the heroic firemen joined.
The prayers of the watchers had
been answered. Cautiously along the
edge OF the roof the gallant Bradford
forged his way, and when he reached
an opening In the adjoining building
strong but willing hands were ready
to receive his precious burned.
Waiting only moment to see that
the rescued one was tenderly cared
for. Tom Bradford was again at his
post of duty. In few moments the
crowd below was startled by sullen
roar and a heavy shower of sparks
flew heavenward.
The roof OF the building had fallen
in.
One by ono the engines ratified ofrl
as the fire came under control.
Far up in the sky great cloud of
black smoke hung like pail over the T