Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-06-06
NO. %.


whose strength was unequal 10 the efforts
they put forth in the excitement, leaned ON
their shovels presently, and took al obser
walton Of the progress Of the fire, and reck
Oned on the probability Of the small force
being able to complete the dam before the
overflow would come
why, Gabe, how can you work 30 hard
in this heat with your coat ON Z" one of
them inquired querulously, as he wiped his
brow with a soiled handkerchief
Didn't think Of that" said Gabe and in
a moment he was at work again without
coat or vest 10 impede him. Does go east
er, he said, cheerily, as he strengthened
the side of the sluice with a large stone
"Now, IL you old fellows amt played out,
you can shovel some dirt behind that rock q"
II amt played out" one of the old men
said but I'm thinkin you'd better git fast
as your hoss can carry you, or you won't
save much from that little house Of yours
up TO Summit"
One of the boys stopped in his digging,
his breath growing short, and looked at the
confagration sweeping up the mountain
side. "Gabe, hadn't | better ride up and
tell your wife the fires comm p he said
No; you stay here and dig. Mrs Har-
rs 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. Gabe 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 over
come his resolution TO save Kendall if pos
sible.
But don't you think you'd better go,
Gabe" 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 a de.
sultory way
"Spoonfuls don't count faint the little
grains OF sand we want here, but shovel
fuls," and suiting action to word, Gabe
dumped pile of sand against the stone he
had just put in place. The old man, feel
ing that he was useless, threw down his
shovel and walked away the other one
joined him, and together they went to chat
ter with the women who were standing in
the highway, alternately gazing at the fire
and noting the progress of the dam.
rs the dam done :" asked one woman
eagerly of the men.
Done 1t will never be done, for the
overflow will come first"
Better get out your things, said the 9th
er old man.
This suggestion stampeded the women.
They scattered, each to her home, the chill
dren crying after their mothers, who were
Fastening to save keepsakes and small val
uahles. Here and there a frantic woman
carried baby, but was Needless of its cries.
Meanwhile Gabe was cheering the boys,
some of whom were beginning to flag
one, then another of them, pausng to draw
shirt sleeve over his perspiring forehead
Here, Dick, you carry stones awhile.
You help him. Bill. And you two fellows
there with picks, take shovels Wen beat
that fire, or we amt men,"
Thus encouraged, the boys worked with
increased vigor, and Gabe saw with grow
ing hope that the dam was assuming pro
portions which would offer effectual re-
sistance to considerable of "boil over"
as the overflow was sometimes called.
Once again the boy who had wanted to
ride to Gabe's home with news of the ap-
preaching fire recurred to the subject.
" 'Taint too late yit, Gabe. Hadn't |
better go I"
''You can go if you want to, Dick but
only not to my house, We need all hands
here"
The boy shamefacedly renewed his exer-
tiOns, and the others, in logged imitation
of Gabe's unhagging zeal, worked with
their heads down, bestowing all their atten-
| tlon TO oOeylnR his orders.
There was silence among them except
when Gabe spoke but amid the roaring of
the fire in the tank they could hear the
shrlll voices of the women screaming to
each other, and presently there came to
their ears the welcome screech of one of
the little narrow gauge engines Buoyed
by a repetition of the whistle, the little
band seemed to redouble their efforts Soon
again the locomotive shrieked nearer to
them, and there was silence until the rum
ble of the train was heard. Then the boys
looked up; but Gabe did not pause in the
particular task he was engaged upon
packing the sand between some stones
The train ran up to a point opposite the
tanks, and before it was at a stand still
men carrying picks and shovels had leaped
from the platforms and were running to
the dam, shouting to the workers to make
way for new men.
Then Gabe paused. He looked up the
} valley, but could not see his home for the
dense smoke that was blowing over the
summit. He was jostled aside by the new
comers, who came TO the work like a COM
} pany charging battery. Gabe felt that
, he would not be needed now. He could no
: longer restrain his heart. 1t called on him
louder, more urgently than it had done
when there was time for him to get to his
, house before the conhagration had reached
it, and he obeyed.
l In the tumult he was not missed, and nc
one heard the clatter of his horses hoofs
a over the stony road. Bending low over
3 the pommel of his saddle, he dashed into
q the smoke. He could not see, but he trust
Q ed his horse, now mad with fright. Pres
emily he said, Thank God ~
9 The lessening of the heat on his cheek
d then a breath of cool air, told him that
g which he had not observed-the wind haC
s veered, and had carried the fire off in an
other direction, west of his house. and j
II was safe. He knew, too. from faith in hi
e wife, that she had conducted the children
d to place of safety. Soon he was out o
h the binding smoke, and the horse slacken
: ed his pace of his own accord. Then h
9 dismounted and climbed the side of III
# mountain, where he soon found his famil!
!, on a point of rocks.
e 81 saw it all, +" said his wife but di,
: not know it was you working there all the
d time till | saw the horse start up the valley
}, Then knew" And she kissed him.
J. "But the overflow Did it come y
! Eyes. Just after lost sight of you il
Ia the smoke"
a And the dam y
= at held. See, Kendall is safe am
# there would not have been time to save
,, after the train came"
r. And in the look of pride and love sh
I, gave him Gabe found his reward.-Aierdl
d der l.. Kinkead in Harper's Weekly