The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-05-06

tered garments and sweeping through
the long grass with sharp, Kissing
sound.
He turned and walked slowly down
the road, just as score of children, re-
leased from school, issued from the
schoolhouse door and scattered, going
in different directions to their homes,
where bright fires and happy smiles
awaited them. Why should he struggle
against fate? What did the world do
for him? Nothingl Why not die by
the roadside, and be done with it? No
one would miss him. A sound of bur-
rying feet behind him interrupted his
reverie. He turned and saw little
girl, with cloud of sunny hair and a
bright, sweet face, out of which looked
a pair Of large blue eyes, running after
him.
PLEASE wait, won't your" she cried,
almost out of breath. 81 heard you
say you were hungry, and-and "-she
paused and looked at him timidly-" if
you'll take this "-opening tin pail
which she carried in her hand" some
slices of bread and piece of cake. /
wanted one of the girls to come with
me, but she said you was an old tramp,
and would hurt me. You won't
though-will your"
He gazed at her q moment. unable
to speak. Hurt you'll Heaven bless
you, child?" he exclaimed. Who
would hurt an ANGELO
His voice trembled. Tears came
into his eyes. He sank down in the
grass by the roadside, and covered his
face with his hands and wept. She
stood lnnkiprY of hin, Il
pathy pictured in her large, beautiful
eyes. She approached, and laid her
hand gently on his shoulder, and put
the pieces of bread and cake in his lap.
Il" Pm sorry if l made you cry" she
said, touch of tenderness in her voice.
She bent down quickly and kissed him.
" There!" she said. Pm not afraid
of you, am 1?''
The next moment she was gone, and
hurrying up the road to overtake her
companions. He sat there for some
time trying to eat the pieces of bread
and cake she had dropped in his lap,
but despair had deprived him of any de-
sire for food. He walked on slowly,
hardly knowing or caring what he did
The wind was increasing in its fury,
and sweeping through the long grass
with weird, dismal sound. Banks of
tawny, purple clouds lay along the rim
of the horizon, out of which shone a
mass of flaming yellow light from the
sinking sun beyond. Presently vail
of smoke swept over his head, and a
shower of black cinders commenced to
fall about him, while the air, all of a
sudden, was laden with fumes of burn
ing vegetation. He turned. An awful
sight met his gaze.
The prairie was on fire. Great
columns of black smoke were rolling
across the prairie; and the red flames,
leaping and roaring in the gale, were
rushing down toward where be stood,
not quarter of mile away! Several
school-children came running down the
road, and passed, crying with fright as
they ran.
Far behind them, her hat off, her long,
yellow hair flying in the wind, came the
little girl who left him few moments
before, the roaring flames rapidly gain
ing upon her. He uttered groan, and
ran toward her as fast as bis weak and
tottering limbs could carry him. Every
breath of wind was now laden with
dense clouds of smoke and heat, and
black with flying cinders. He saw her
stagger as she ran-then turn partly
around and sink down in the road, Just
as he reached her side. He lifted her
hurriedly in his arms, desperation gave
him strength, and turned and ran with
her as fast as he could, staggering as
he went.
60 Godl if l should lose my life"
he gasped, "help me to save her!"
nj g. 4 4
his form; the heat grew intense; great
tongues of crimson flames leaped high
in the air, and roared behind him, and
mingled their sound with the rushing
wind
Dave Foster, the cattle-man, stood
near one of the corrals, engaged in
conversation with some cowboys who
had just ridden up.
We've rode all day." one of the
cowboys was saying, "but can't
git sight Nv any NV the pesky cattle
thieves"
"a suspicious character passed here
about an hour ago." answered Dave,
and wouldn't be sure but he may be
one of them"
him if we run across him." said one of
the cowboys.
You bet hit WON'T" sanctioned
another.
Guess we'd rope him inter leetle
partnership with a tree" replied the
other, with harsh laugh.
What's that smoke coming from2"
asked Dave, pointing toward the school
house. GA fire-a fire he exclaimed.
My God, boys, boysl the prairie is on
tirel and-my little Annie-my child
my child! She will be burnt-heaven
help her!"
He half dragged one of the cowboys
from his horse as he spoke, and
springing into the saddle dashed away
in the direction of the fire, followed by
a balf-dozen others. Every moment
the fire was spreading, and great
tongues of red flame were leaning