The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-06-26


wind Vas blowing. aud the wooden. can
vas lined dwellings we're as com bustible .
tindcr II tho Ore should break oa
rmone the Louses 90 the creek. the tow
~ould soon be 10 ssbes and many fsuilie
homeless
All of this Gabe comprebcnicd 10 a mo
meat. aud he rode right into the village
shouting 10 the women whom be sss
Standing 10 their doof~ays aud gazing cor
iously st tho blazing petroleum. Brip,
all the shovsis aud picks yon can fad
Looking back over his shoulder. be saw
the fire running npihe side OF the hill. ID,
blsxinr leaves bloxn by the wind sppsr
emily in hot race 10 spread the cophsgra
ton, to carry destruction far aud vide, Al
a glance he saw the direction OF the fir,
was ,owsrds bis own home and lease to.
wards bis siie aud children. whom be had
leii but ahslf hour before.
At the telegraph station OF the Lines
her drew nin. and yelled 10 the operator,
Tell Harfori We wiut men with picks and
shovels. and we want them quick. Wire
tho railroad company for special train.
The operator. who had already reported
au iron tank on fire, promptly sent Gabe 3
message. Before II reached Hartford, GAbe
was on bis was at full speed OF bis horse
He rode TO within hundred yards OF the
burning tank. and hitchedlbis horse secur
ly to tree on the windwar side OF the
fire. Then snstchipg shovel from one
woman and q picksIe from another, he ran
to bend 10 the creek, and begun the cou.
struction Of dam
Two old men and some boys came to
help him. while the women brought picks
and sbosels. and laid them on the bauk OF
the creek In readiness for use by husbands
and brothers. who to min we're attend
ing a mass meeting OF the producers in
Hartford.
The blazing oil heated the tank. the
flames roaring aud struggling to maintain
a perpendicular against the wind, growing
10 force aud blowing steadily.
Gabe was working with wonderful ener-
gy making Sluice for the escape of the
water, at the same time directing his as
sistants how to build the dam which was
to be constructed Of stones laid one on the
other and banked with dirt; The old men.
whose strength was unequal to the efforts
they put forth in the excitement. leaned
on their shovels presently, and took an
observation Of the progress OF the fire. and
reckoned on the probability Of the small
force being able to complete the dam be
fore the overflow wonld come.
Why, Gabe. how can you work so hard
in this heat with your coat on? one of
them inquired quefnlously. as be wiped
his brow with a soiled handkerchief.
Didn't think OF that. said Gsbe. and in
q moment he was At work again without
coat or vest to impede him. Does go easi.
er, be said, cheerily. as he strengthened
/ he side OF the sluice with large stone.
Now. il you old fellows amt played out,
you can shovel some DIRT behind that rock,
amt lplayed out, one Of the old men
said: but I'm thinkin' you'd better git fas
rs your boss can carry you, or you won't
save mnch from that little house OF yours
up to Summit.
One Of the boys stopped in bis digging,
bis breath growing short, and looked at
'he conflagratlon sweeping up the noun
ain side. Gabe. hadn't better ride up
md tell your wife the fires coming2 be
laid. K
No; you stay here and dig. Mrs Harris /
ynows as much about the fire comm her I
way as we do. She'sgot eyes.
Yet with all his his cheerful manner l
md the courage 10 bis voice Gabe did not !
Isre to look mp from his work. for fear the |
igbt OF the tempest Of flames that was q
ushing to the destruction OF his home I
vonld over come his resolution to save s
Kendall If possible.
But don't you think you'd better go.
iabe? the old man queried. Charity be
ins to home, to home. b
Stop pesteriu me and work or get out Il
the road y
The old man. offended, shoveled In de- ii
ulIory way d
Spoonluls dou't count; 'taint the little K
rains OF sand we want be, but shovel ID
lis. aud suiting action to word, Gabe Y
umped pile Of sand sg ,iLst the stone he 81
sd just put 10 place The old man, feel
Ig that be was useless. threw down bis a
novel and walked away; the other one 81
lined him, and together they went to u
natter with the women who we're stand
g in the highwsy. alternately gszing st
Ie Ere and noring the progress OF the Oh
AN. %
ly OF the men. ID
Doue2 IL will never be done, Tor the bl
e,now will come first. ri
Batter get out your thiogs. said the 9th 10
old man. rs
THIS suggestion STAN peded the women. al
ley scattered. each 10 their home, the
ildren crying after their mothers, who N
IRE Fastening 10 save keepsskes and u
,sli yalusbies. Here and there frantic
,nan carried baby. but was needless h
It's cries
q lbs vas cheering the boys. u
me OF whom were beginning TO fsg-- sh
.. then suotber " them. pausing to es
az shirt sleeve over his prrspiring ge
rehrsd "a
Here. Dick. you csray stones awhile.
% b-Ip hin. Bill Aud you two fellows
IRE with pick-, take shovels' Wen brat fu
Il DIRE. or ~e .iu'a men. A
rhu- encouraged. th- boys worked with ici
.,,,.x .nd q. .h. 49, .,f,h ..a. / "a.