Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-16

! the store below was all ablaze. The stairs
were on ire also, and when l opened the
entry door the hot air and smoke rushed
and almost smothered me. | gave up all
hope Of getting my wife and helpless ones
out of the building alive and safe. Help
came to us, however, and though in clam
| bering down the ladder I slipped and
broke my arm, | was thankful when [ saw
that all were safe, bat wss so faint and
Ill from the accident you see, that L hadn't
all my wits about me, and believed there
was no one missing. My blood ran cold
when my wife clasping her hands, with an
awful look upon her face, exclaimed
- Our little Lucy is left behindr
She had slept with the hired girl since
her baby brother was born. and the woman
in her fright had forgotten the little one.
There she was at the top of the burning
building, out of the reach of any human
help, and it seemed 10 me as looked up
at the walls, great red and yellow sheet
Of flame, with blue CLEANS here and there.
as though they were devilish heads peep-
ing out ard grinning at US. Still, hopeless
as 1t was, should have gone back into the
burning house after my baby or died with
her, if | had been able to stand. No one
else would venture. 1t would be foolish
sacrifice of life, they said, for no doubt the
child was already smothered by the smoke,
and although | raved and pleaded and
made wild promises, they only shook their
heads and babe me have patience.
Patience! | thought was going mad
as the face of my little girI-my sweet
pretty pet-rose up before me. But Just
then tall man dashed through the crowd
toward me-
@'Quickr he shouted, which roomg
1.-THE back room ON the upper floor
said, and he dashed away, parting the
throng with his strong arms, and In an
other moment was mounting the ladder.
| heard them calling him to come back,
bidding him to beware, and speaking of
him as though he were dead already.
But he never needed them, and as he be-
came hidden by the black smoke which
poured from the window, covered my
face and prayed that the angels who
walked in the fiery furnace might 60
with him. Perhaps they did. Something
stronger than an earthly thing must have
been there, for in a few moments-they
seemed years TO me-we saw him coming
down the ladder with something in his
armsl The burnt body of my child, per-
haps, thought; but as he came closer,
saw 1t was my own laughing, living dar-
ling, with her blue eyes open and her arms
around his neck.
The roof fell in the next moment. but
my treasure was safe, and that was all l
cared for.
What shall | do or say to thank your
l said, as | grasped his hand Pm
ruined man, and can only give you my
blessing; but let me know your name at
least
Have you forgotten me? Don't you
remember me? he asked as he bent over
me. Look again
Il did, and saw pair of bright, gray
eyes, face knew, and something glitter |
ing upon his breast. And the scene at |
the corner of dirty little street on wet
December night came back to me and | |
saw my policeman once more
1T is you,' | said, and you have saved |
my child from such an awful DEATH
"tAnd what did you save me and mine
from?' he said, with tears in his eyes. |
Starvation, ruin, utter degradation. 1 !
should have been felon, and my dear,
dear ones paupers this night, but for you. |
| have not paid the debt, and never can
but when l heard that it was your cliild |
that lay at the top of that building,
prayed that | might save it, and / know
God heard me-
And then he told me what had brought !
him to the neighborhood on that night
above all others in the year.
had lost all, for was not insured |
but he was prosperous and stood by me |
like brother; nursed me through nv
illness, and loaned me money for new !
start in life. So that, in little while |
things grew bright again, and here / am !
as comfortable as most people"
"And the policeman / asked.
"His hair is as white as my own now" !
said the old man. "And my daughter, the !
little one he saved that night married his
son. Tile Ne,c Noon.