The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-12-26


homestead visit she found the fortress Of the
old mans heart ready to yield. Shephad the
day before received copy Of The Tekeewah
Bugle, In which she found the following
paragraph half way down a crudely written
account Of fire In that enterprisng town:
I'VE should utterly fail In our duty to our
readers If we omitted to take more than pass
ing note of the heroic conduct Of one of our
young townsrnen, a prominent and efficient
member Of Avalanche Engine company No.
L OF course we refer to Mr.. Albert Merritt,
than whom braver 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, MIR 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 to the
ground with his precious burden safe on his
arms. He was greeted with such cheer as
only Tekeewah threats can give. We regret
to be obliged to aid that Mr.. Merritt suffered
painful, though not necessarily dangerous,
injury in the breaking of an arm, which was
struck by falling timber. He was also
rather severely burned. 1t Is hoped, how
ever, that he will soon be himself again"
carefully hidden. She had determined, II
need be, to show it 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 hxedly at her, convinced him that
something was aniss with his son. Mrs.
Merritt was about to speak when her hus-
band interrupted her in strained, quivering
tones:
Helen Blake" he said, "is Albert deadi
Tell me the TRUTH"
There ives world Of paternal love In the
old mans voice now. But for 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 white face she walked to the
window to compose herself, while the father
and mother waited In suspense. Aftlr lit
tie she turned again to them, and, with re-
assuring look toward Mrs. Blake, who sat
with clasped hands and parted lips, she took
the paper from her pocket.
~ would like toread to you an article from
The Tekeewah (Kansas) Bugle," she said, in
as steady q voice as she could command. And
headlines to dash, without break, and with
out looking up. When she had done she
raised her eyes Mrs Blake was crying qui-
etly and the old man was quite broken down.
"Heleu," he said, reaching out both hands
to the girl, 'its 10 use. can't be q hard
ened old fool 10 longer. Can't we get Albert
back hero with us2 Hadn't better 60 Quito
1904 A>AA aAA
Kansas and get himi Poor boy, may be he's
hurt worse than it says" And then the old
man let the tears flow unconcealed.
That night letter was mailed to Tekee-
wah, Kan. It 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-
don has worked a great change Of opinion tn
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 FRIEND.
When Albert Merritt received this letter
he was conTalescent, 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 parl here saved
that gal baby" IT tell you," he said, ut
takes the boys from old Indianny to do thinga
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 q bit'- And then he reeled off q
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 I
shall start as soon as can do It safely"
Sam was astounded, but he did not remon-
strate, and finally concluded to go, too, "just
TO take care Of a, !" he explained to the boys.
But secretly he was glad Of the excuse.
The next issue Of The Tekeewah Bugie con-
tanned this paragraph:
"Our well known townsman, Mr.. Albert
Merritt, Is about to visit his old home In In
diana, where he win probably spend the holi-
days. He Is very nearly well Of the injuries
e1stalned ct the recnt are BE WIZ Be e.