The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-01-22

tion With some cowboys who had jass
ridden up.
We've rode sll day" one Of the cow
boys was saying. bot can't get sight Nv
any Nv the the pesky cattle-thieves."
suspicious character passed here
about an hour ago. answered Dave
: and ! wouldn't be sure but he may be
one Of them
] guess hit won't be very healthy for
him five run across him. said one ofthe
cowboys.
You beE hit won't sanctioned an
ether.
Gaess we'd rope him inter leeile
partnership with tree. replied the 9TH
er, with harsh laugh.
What's that smoke coming from y
asked Dave, pointing toward the school,
house A fre-A nre :" he exclaimed
Ny God, boys the prairie is on fire
and-my little Annie-my child my
child She will be burned-Heasen help
her.
he half dragged one OF the cowboys
from his horse As he spoke, and spring
ing into the saddle, dashed away IN the
direction ofthe IRE, followed by half
dozen cowboys
Egery moment the FIRE was spreading
and great tongues Of red fiznle were leap
ing widely against sable background ca
rolling smoke.
Heaven help ber8my child, my
child moaned the father as he spurred
on has horse.
Aiine Of IRE was burning slowly against
the Wind. Onward they swept toA ard this,
their horses rearing wildly as they ap-
preached, then leaped through il, and
dashed into the black, smoking track Of
the FIRE that was sweeping onward with
the wind
The school house was in flames, bat no
one near IL They galloped widely about
hardly knowing what course to take
Here p called ou1 Dave; They have
gone for the patch Of newly broken sol
yonder. l see some one there now
They all li2shed of in the direction Of
The sirip of sod that lay little way 10 the
north. They reached the plsce, and found
little sluad Of school-ehlldren who had
made their escape 10 the place.
-Whe-s is my ehiidy" the fsiherscreaa
ed, hoarseiy- Bu. no one knew.
she was coming down the road over
there where We passed, answered one
Of the children.
My tod she is dead dead - moan
ed the gTief-stricken father, and galloped
back over the road he had just irAyersed-
On every side Law black desolate waste
Of smoking, Asb-streSnprairie.
Suddenly one Of the cowboys uttered
shout, and they all hurried 10 the spot
In little rzvine by the roadside lay
the form Of man. and near him. on
patch of hard sand, stood little Annie,
unharmed.
Thank God my child is alive - ex-
claimed Dave Foster, leaping from his
horse and cl4sping her in his 4rus- Her
hair was burnt, her face blaekened with
Tying cfnders and ashes, but otherwise
she MAS unhzrmed.
The cowboys were bending over the
prostrate man near by.
Poor fellow I'm afraid he's dying
said one Of them, in Low voice.
Little Annie began to cry. oh, papa,
she sobbed, don't lei him die-he Was 70
good when they had all left me where
f=li down in the road, he came and car
ried me here And then she told how
he had run with her, while she was only
half conscious, to the little rayine, and
then taken of his coat and wet itil pool
Of water and placed il over her; how be
had stood between her and the flames a.
they had swept down upon them, batting
with them till it was over. then SUNK
down by her side.
Water had been brought. and the
parched face and hands were baihed.
He seemed to revive, and made an effort
to speak.
Dave Foster knelt by MS side, and rais-
ed his head upon his lap, and held his
ear close TO the dying mans lips
Is she safe g' ne whispered family
Yes, Aa.xered Foster, his voice
husky with emotion. Heaven bless your
noble soul = Then he looked at the face
of the stranger closer. and started back
''Oh, my God, my God.- heexclaimed
at IS the man drove from my door to-
dAy-ss a thief-God help me He must
not die-he shall not die
He threw his arms about the dying man
and wept bitterly.
Speak to me y he cried, ehoakingly
atell me that-ihat-oh, Heaven be is
dead :"
The cowboys stood about with uncov-
cred heads, their cheeks wet with tears
He was dead.
Strong hands lifted him tenderiy, and
bore him arross the black desolaie prsi-
lie. Eyes, which short time before look
ed upon him with distru=t, now filed
with tears as they beheld his calm, still
face
- death disarrrs ali z1alsce-ruakss the slave
To ioSE n re worthy "a hi. sas -se-s~y-
Anc give % the sui haiads zcru~s the ureEst
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