Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-06-18

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John Stone looked firmly at his inter
looutor and slaughtered up II never
answer impertinent questions" said he.
There was litter at Mr.. Wallets OK.
pense. The latter flushed up and re.
joined: Indeed? That's not strange. I
suppose its because you're afraid Of an
accident, eh? Well, few people would
like to confess to being a poltroon."
Stone turned very pale and glanced
about him. Every one was laughing at
him now, and even Miss Jessie had her
handkerchief to her lips and twinkle
In her eyes. He seemed about to make
some fierce retort, but thought better
Of 1t, and walked back to his high stool
in silence.
Nearly every one had gone home.
Miss Jessie was finishing some letters
in dim corner by q window when the
youth who had been stigmatized as q
poltroon walked over to her. He took .
chair by her and they were virtually
alone. 1t was the first time he had ever
done such q thing, and she was q little
astonished.
miss JESSIE" he began abruptly, do
you believe I'm poltroon?"
''Why, Mr.. Stone, IL" she stam-
mered.
Because" went on the young man,
~ don't believe am, and can't bear to
have you think so, and I'm going to tell
you something. Four years ago an ele-
vator on which my father and were
riding collapsed and went to the bottom
Of the shaft. escaped, but my father
was badly hurt. Now you may not believe
it, but ever since that day I havo had an
unconquerable aversion to elevators.
could not enter one if my life depended
on. l should die of terror. No one
knows OF this weakness but myself.
believe could be brave enough in the
face of real danger, but am a coward
in this one respect. Some day hope
to prove to you and the rest that I am
no poltroon. For the present try and
induce the rest to excuse my intirmity,
for it is the only thing l am sensitive
about"
The young man abruptly left the Of
fee. Miss Jessie looked after him with
puzzled expression. But she was q
little flattered at being made the recip-
lent of this confidence. Besides. he had
looked so brave, so earnest and so very
handsome while making this ridiculous
admission. 1t was very queer. She had
read of the great French warrior who
always went into fits of terror at the
sight of a rabbit. But elevators. 1t
was too absurd. The young man must
be coward after all.
Who ever heard of a fire in an insur-
ance office? Yet this was precisely what
occurredt the following Monday morning.
And the fire had not blazed three min
utes before CONSERVATION reigned in the
office of Fireup, Riskit & Co.
1t broke out on the second floor below
them, and sheets of flamo were stream
ing through the windows before the
alarm was sounded. There was wild
rush of feet below, a chorus of yells
! and far down below could be heard
the shouts of the crowds, and the thun-
der of the engines dashing up to the
building.
Mr.. kiskit had not appeared. Mr..
Fireup ran into the hall and returned
with white face. "Boys!" he roared,
clock every thing up in the vault
every thing, mind you, books, papers
and all-and then let's get out of here. :"
Mr.. Wallet proceeded leisurely to lock
up his books. 1.-THE governors in a
sweat" he murmured, with admirable
GOODNESS. Miss Jessie's face wasA little
pale, but she went placidly enough to
the place where her hat and coat hung
and put them on. She noticed that John
Stone kept close beside her as the en-
tire clerical force of Fireup, Riskit &
Co., headed by Mr.. Fireup, moved into
the hallway.
AS they did so, every cheek blanched.
The smoke was coming up with omin-
Gus thickness, and the roaring of flames
could be heard below. 1.-The stairway"
yelled Fireup, and to the stairway they
ran. But long strip of fame was coil
ing itself around the banister like a
great red snake, and the heat drove
them back. Beneath was veritable
furnace, in which costly Office furniture
could be heard cracking as it fed the
flames to greater heat.
The fire was sapping the floor on
which they stood. In few moments
it would go down beneath them, and
then
Mr.. Fireup was brave man, but his
voice trembled as he CALCULATED: 'Boys,
I'm afraid we'ra lOst"
Young Wrackets knees knocked to-
gether. Mr.. Wallet stood his ground
bravely. Outside could be heard the
hoarse yells of the ]remen, the crash
ing of their axes and the Kissing of the
streams of water that only seemed to
stir the fire to fiercer fury. Would help
come in time?
Miss Jessie began to sob and wiring
her hands. Somehow no one seemed
surprised when John Stone put his arm
about her slim waist and supported her
dropping figure. 1t seemed the most
natural thing in the world to do. When
he had done this he said, in tone that
contained not the faintest tremor:
Don't let's give up yet, Mr.. Fireup. Is
there not way to gain the roof"
''By heaven, you've hit it'll" exploded
the big insurance man, rushing to the