The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-11-01
FACING THE FIRE.
Miss Janey's Self-Sacridce and It's
Reward.

Just as though i couldn't take care of
one girl" Tom was ten and Dell
seven, and he domineered over her in
a most aggrayating manner, but she
couldn't stand that and turned on him.
stamping her foot passionately.
Tom Earle. you're the awfullest
story fibber- You know l wasn't afraid
for US, but, oh, Janey," turning her
dirty, woe-begone little face to the
older sister, Dolly went over to the
big ravine, and most know she viii
be burned up. cause she is SO poky-
She was the best friend l had, and
slapped her just dreadful this morning
cause she wouldn't give me the big
gest piece OF candy. O-oo-ve if Dolly
dies I'll die too; know l will" and
burying her face in Janey's damp dress
she walled in 4 most doIorous fashion
Come, Dell. dry your eyes, I'll
take you and Tom home and then go
after Dolly. Here, Tom, put Dell on
IN front Of me and you climb on be
hind. Brete won't like il. but guess
he'll have to stand it What possessed
Dolly to go homo by the ravine? It's
a mile out of her way"
I'VE didn't want her TO go that way,
but she said there was a nest of cot
ton-tails down there and she wanted to
take them home" sobbed Dell
The hateful little city flirt." broke
IN Tom Il was going with her to
carry EN- home if she'd go havers.
and she said she didn't like to go
with barefooted boys And l told
her she didn't haf to. don't care
nothin' for girls, no how, - he added do
family.
Janey was too busy with her thoughts
10 answer. and the sure-footed Brete
soon took them home. where Mrs
Earle gathered the children TO her
heart with an inward prayer of thanks
giving.
Janey only paused long enough to
dip the blanket once again in the
trough, then spreading it full length
over Brete she jumped on his back
and called TO Tom TO bring her the
other.
What in the dickins are you going
70 do now, Jzne?'' asked tho irrepress-
ible as he obeyed her order.
Il am going after Dolly Landis
'Janey, daughter said the mother.
tremulously, putting out a restraining
hand
mo. mother" said Janey. decided
ly, 81 must GO just think. it might
have been Dell. you know; L won I be
in much danger. II the fire comes too
close / have my wet blankets, and if l
am surrounded l can cover up in them
and turn Brete loose 1 have my
matches 70 use in case l can
As she rode away she felt the wind
changing, thus bringing the fire more
directly to the ravine, towards which
she was speeding, and at the same
time menacing the little home She
looked back just once and the aeeting
glimpse was never forgotten The
sun, like a great yellow ball lazily
sliding down the western sky. was
flooding the prairie and far-distant
hills in mellow light Away to the
north the trees on Ash creek stood
out green and tall, and east Of them
lay the blach1ened prairie over which
the flames had just swept; behind her
lay the little farm with its broad
acres of ripened corn, while just be-
fore her, each moment lessening the
distance, leaped and roared the prai-
RE fire, writhing and twisting through
the taller grass like so many fiery
serpents. Between it and her lay the
old Santa Fe trail, grass-grown now
and n weak barrier to such an element
Slight as it was 1t mattered not to her,
for she had to cross it 10 reach the ra-
vine
Setting her teeth hard, she urged
Brete on, crossing the trail and head
ing for the ravine, which was only
few rods away. The fire was peril
ously near, but just before her she
saw the small figure of child
scrambling over the bank and knew il
was Dolly. Brete was snorting and
almost unmanageable from fear. aud
just on the edge OF the ravine a blaz-
ing tumble weed borne on the wind
fell in front OF him He gave
frightened plunge, which sent both
horse and rider rolling to the bottom
OF the deep gully Half stunned by
The fall, Janey attempted TO rise, but
found it impossible because of the
pain in her ankle. At her side lay
the faithful pony, his head doubled
under him and neck broken Dolly,
with her dinuer-baszet held tight in
her hand, was half rolling, half slid
ing down the bank after her.
"Oh, Miss Janey, l was so afraid
somebody wouldn't come and my rab-
bits would get burned; just see en-"
and. drawing aside the napkin, she
showed Jancy three little cotton-tails
nesting in the tiny basket You'll
take care OF US now, won't you, Miss
Janey?" she asked, conidingly. as she
put the napkin carefully back.
Dear child.'' returned Janey, ten
derly. in an agony of pain and grief
for her dead pony. I'm do my best
for you. but you must do just as I-tell
you Can you unbuckle Brete's
girth?"
I'm 'fraid to; he's so dead"
Janey smiled little bitterly
We'll, perhaps 1 can do it." and
working her way to his side, she un-
fastened the girth and by much tug
ging pulled the blanket of, the tears
running down on his pretty name A
shriH scream from Dolly reused her
from her bitter reflections.
'-Oh, Miss Janey. the fire is most
to US"
God help Us, then" thought the
poor girl as she called Dolly to her.
Now sit down on this blanket and
when the fire comes close to you. Won
must cover all UP with it IL Won
swallow any OF the hot air it will kill
you
Dolly began to cry as she gingerly
seated herself on the wet blanket It's
SO nasty and damp, Miss Janey," she
sobbed-
49," BE thankful for that. The fire is