The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-07-02


was one of group on the bank of the
creek, and if it should overflow, or an
other tank be ignited and burst with an
explosion Of gas, the burning fluid
would surely be borne on the stream
among the houses that further down
lined its banks. From these houses the
town lay in the direction the wind was
blowing, and the wooden, canvss-lined
dwellings were as combustible as tinder.
If fire should break out among the
houses on the creek, the town would
soon be in ashes and many families home
less.
All OF this Gabe comprehended in q
moment, and he rode right into the vii
lage, shouting to the women whom he saw
standing in their doorways and gazing
curiously at the blazing petroleum,
"Bring all the shovels and picks you can
find"
Looking back over his shoulder, he saw
fire running up the side of the hill, the
blazing leaves blown by the wind ap-
parently in hot race to spread the con-
iagration, to carry destruction far and
wide. AT glance he saw the direction
OF the fire was toward his own home and
lease-toward his wife and children,
whom he had left but half hour before.
At the telegraph station of the
'Lines, he drew rein, and yelled to the
operator: "Tell Hartford we want men
with picks and shovels, and we want
them quick. Wire the railroad company
for special train"
The operator, who had already re-
ported an iron tank on fire, promptly
sent Gabe's message. Before it reached
Hartford, Gabe was on his way at full
speed of his horse. He rode to within a
hundred yards of the burning tank and
hitched his horse to tree on the wind
ward side of the fire. Then snatching a
shovel from one woman and a pickaxe
from another he ran to bend of creek
and began the construction of dam.
Two old men and some boys came to
help him, while the women brought
picks and shovels and laid them on the
bank of the creek in readiness for use by
husbands and brothers, who, to man,
were attending mass-meeting of the
producers in Hartford.
The blazing oil heated the tank, the
flames roaring, and struggling to main
tain perpendicular against the wind,
growing in force and blowing steadily.
Gabe was working with wonderful en-
ergy, making sluice for the escape of
the water, at the sameN1ime directing his
assistants how to build dam, which
was to be constructed of stones laid one
on the other and bankedswith dirt. The
old men, whose strengthrwas unequal to
the efforts they put forth in the excite
ment, leaned on their shovels presently,
and took an observation of the progress
of the fire, and reckoned .on the proba-
bility of the small force being able to
complete the dam before the overflow
would come.
"Why, Gabe, how can you work so
hard in this heat with your coat on2" one
of them remarked, querulously, as he
wiped his brow with soiled handker-
chief.
"Didn't think of that" said Gabe,
and in a moment he was at work again
without coat or vest to impede him.
"Does 90 easier" he said, cheerily, as he
strengthened the side ofithe sluice with a
large stone. SNOW, if you old fellows
amt played out, you canshovef some dirt
behind that rock"
al amt played outE" one of the old
men said; "but I'm thinldn' you'd better
git fast as your hoss can carry you, or you
won: save much from that little house of
yours up to Summit"
One of the boys stopped in his dig
ging, his breath growing short, and
looked at the conhagration sweeping up
the mountain side. ''Gabe, hadn't 1
better ride up and tell yourwife the fires
comin'?" he said.
"No; you stay here and dig. Mrs.
Harris knows as much about the fire
comm her way as we do. She's got
eyes"
Yet, with all his cheerful manner and
the courage in his voice, Gabs did not
dare to look up from his work, for fear
the sight of the tempest of flames that
was rushing to the destruction Of his
home would overcome his, resolution to
save Kendall if possible.
"But don't you think you'd better go,
Gabe2" the old man queried. ''Charity
begins to home, you know
"Stop pesterin' me and work, or get
out of the road"
The old man, offended shoveled in
desultory way.
"Spoonfuls don't count; 'tain't the
little grains of sand we want here, but
shoyelfdls," and suiting action to word,
Gabe dumped pile of sand against the
stone he had just put in place. The
old man, feeling that he was useless,
threw down his shovel and walked away
the other one joined him, and together
they went to chatter with the women
who were standing in the highway, alter
nately gazing at the fire and noting the
progress of the dam.
''Is the dam done7" asked one woman
eagerly of the old men.
''Donel 1t will never be done, for
the overflow will come first.
"Better get out your things" said the
other old man.
This suggestian stampeded the women.
They scattered, each to her home, the
children crying after their mothers, who
were fastening to save keepsakes and
small valuables. Here and there frantic
woman carried baby, but was needless