Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-12-24

young townsmen, a prominent and efficient
member of Avalanche Engine company No.
|. OF course we refer to Mr. Albert Merritt,
than whom drawer man never drew breath.
No sooner had it become known that a child
was in the burning building than, at the risk
of his own life, Mr. Merritt rushed into the
smoke and flames, dashed up the stairs almost
at bound, and, cropping about in the sitting
heat, found the infant, fought his way through
the fire to the window, for by this time the
stairway was burning and jumped 10 the
ground with his precious burden safe on his
arms. He was greeted with such "A cheer as
only Tekeewah Threats can give. We regret
TO be obliged to add that Mr. Merritt suffered
a painful, though not necessarily dangerous,
injury ia the breaking of an arm, which was
struck 10y a falling timber. He was also
rather severely burned. 1t is hoped, how
ever, that he viii soon be himself again.
This paper Helen brought with her but
carefully hidden. She had Determined, if
need he, TO show II to the stern father, but
she proposed to hold it for the last resort
But her manner for, though ordinarily calm,
she was now much excited BETRAYED her.
and as soon as William Merritt looked into
her face he knew that she knew something of
| Albert and her unwonted agitation, as he
gazed tixedly at her, convinced him that
something was amiss with his son. Mrs.
Merritt was about to speak when her hus.
band interrupted her in strained, quivering
tones:
Helen Blake" he said, lis Albert deadl
Tell me the truth"
There was a world Of paternal love in the
old mans voice now. But for n moment
Helen said nothing. for she felt that were she
to speak she would instantly and completely
lose her self control So with deprecatory
gesture and a white face she walked to the
window TO compose herself while the father
and mother waited in suspense After lit
tie she turned again to them, and, with re-
assuring look toward Mrs. Blake, who sat
with ciasped hands and parted lips, she took
the paper from her pocket.
Il would like TO read to you an article from
| The Tekecwah kansas Bugle," she said, in
rs steady voice as she could command. And
then she read the account OF the fire, from
headlines to dash, without break, and with
out looking up When she had done she
raised her eyes Mrs. Blake was CRYING qui-
city and the old man was quite broken down
''Helen,n he said, reaching out both hands
to the girl. Its no use. | can't be hard
ened old fool no longer. Can't we get Albert
back here with usi Hadn't better go out to
Kansas and get himl Poor boy, may he he's
hurt worse than it says" And then the old
man let the tears flow unconcealed.
That night a letter was mailed to Tekee-
wah, Kan. 1t was written by Helen, though
unsigned, and here is copy:
Mr. Albert Merritt
The account of the recent fire in Tekeewah and
the bravery displayed by yourself on that occa-
sion has worked a great change OF opinion In
! certain quarters. a change which would have
come soon. however. in the natural course of
things Your father Is very much broken and
anxious to see you A FRIEND.
When Albert Merritt received this letter
he was convalescent, lying on the bed of the
best room in the Tekeewah tavern, while Sam
McCorkle was standing in the center of the
floor telling some admiring friends for the
thousandth time how my pard here saved
that gal baby" Il tell you," he said, sit
takes the boys from old Indianny to do things.
Now, mind me one time before | came west
of how little Jimmy Jones fell into the river,
m jumped right in without stopping to
peel Bit And then he reeled off a
wholly imaginary yarn of his own bravery,
while Albert smiled and the rest listened open
mouthed. When Albert had read his letter
he said, quietly:
Sam, I'm going home for Christmas.
shall start as soon as | can do 1t safely"
Sam was astounded, but he did not remon-
strate, and finally concluded to go. too, Just
u take care of Al" he explained TO the boys.
But secretly he was glad of the excuse.
The next issue of The Tekeewah Bugle con-
tanned this paragraph:
Our well known townsman, Mr.. Albert
Merritt, is about TO visit his old home in In
diana, where he will probably spend the holt
days He is very nearly well OF the injuries
sustained at the recent fire. He will he ac-
companied by his fast friend, Mr.. Sam Me
Corkle, the well known lightning rod agent u
The stage was due to pass William Merritt's
house at 4:30 O'Clock on Christmas eve, but
the roads were bad and it was quite dark
when, with sweeping curve, 1t swerved to
the side Of the pike aud stopped in front of
the house, in the open front doorway of which,
in strong silhouette against the food of light
within, stood the burly form of William
Merritt, his hands outstretched with trem-
bling hopefulness.
Come along, SAM" said one of the young
men who dismounted from the back seat of
the high stage, Il need you YETI
There was cry, in which recognition, well
come and forgiveness were all blended from
the figure in the doorway. and an answer
from the taller 81 the travellers, who still car
ried one arm In a sling. And a moment later
William Merritt led this one into his house.
Mother" he said, ''our boy has come
back"
In the ecstatic joy Of meeting his mother,
Albert had forgotten Sam McCorkle, and
when he looked for him that individual had
disappeared. As he afterward explained, he
didn't feel like he was any use when folks
was all a-cryin' and a-weepin' and fallin' on
each others necks, 50 he just sloped"
But Albert did not hook for Sam very long.
He had much to tell Of his new life in the
west, where he had been fairly successful. and
his father and mother and brothers and sis
tiers had quite as much to tell him.