The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-14
4 MOUNTAIN FIRE.


with q sigh, turned longing glance
at its worn blue cover. After finishing
the scarlet sock she had been at work
upon she hustled to the door which
looked out on the road winding through
the valley from Pilarcitos canyon in
the north to the " coast stage road in
the South.
~ declare, Tumas," she exclaimed,
adjusting her spectacles as she spoke,
do b'lieve the fires comm right
over the range. The smoke is pourin'
down thick from the canyon, an it
pears like the brush is burnin' up at
the lake, Lor me, what'n we do If it
comes this way7 Like as not wen
jest roast 1ive.'
Her husband, an old man lying in
an inyalid's chair, on being thus adj
dressed made feeble gesture with his
right arm. He was a hopeless para
lytic, jest waitin' for the las stroke, !,
as his wife was wont to tell to Miss
Anna, the parsons sister, who brought
her jellies and novels now and then.
Johns been gone this half hour
she>exclaimed, divining her husbands
meaning, " but he promised to be back
this afternoon fore dark, SO it won't
do no good ter fret an worry. He
didn't think the fire was halfway dam
gerous, an alters put big store by
what John SAYS,
After thus declaring her implicit
confidence in her sons opinion, she
wheeled her husband out upon the
porch, which extended half way around
the low, rambling cottage. Here she
left him and went out to the small
stable, usually occupied by the sorrel
pony which John had driven to San
Mateo that morning.
John McGregor, their only child.
was likely young man. He had pro-
cured work upon the dam. than in
process of construction at the southern
end Of the valley, and in consequence
he was obliged to leave his parents
alone the greater part of the time. In
the hunting season his mother was
able to board sportsmen, thus making
a little money to lay by for "rainy |
day."
In the dry season these mountain
fires are of frequent occurrence, and |
are generally attributed to the care
lessness of hunters, and, although they
often spread many miles, there is rarely
any difficulty in extinguishing them,
once they eneroach upon cultivated |
land.
Mrs. McGregor busted herself next
about the garden, which everywhere
showed signs of true New England
thrift. Her head was protected from
the. sun by brown bingham sun-bon-
net, as she picked the green seeds of
the nasturtiums for pickles, or tied up
the sweet pea vines, which the chick
ems persisted in scratching down.
In the afternoon, as she washed up
after the noon meal, she looked anx-
iously out of the window now and then.
] do hope John II hurry, she MUIR
INJURED, as she hung the last dishcloth
on the rail Of the sunny back steps.
He did say it was onsartin if he'd /
come back tonight. but guess when
he sees the smoke over here, he'll jest
come a-fyin'. I don't 'zactly like the
looks on it myself
Then, after peeping in upon her
snoring husband in the sitting-room,
she shut the front door to keep out the
flies, and seated herself in the frayed /
hammock, which on warm afternoons
was her special delight. i
~ declare" she exclaimed, asrshe
leaned back and prepared to enjoy to |
its fullest extent the novel in her hand,
" it right good o Miss Anna to fetch
me these novels, do have secha hank
erin arter 'em. Ma alters did say I
warn't good for much when | got a.
novel ter read, fur I'd jest go out ter
the orchard and hide, till it was fin
ished." Il
There was nothing unusual in the |
little woman's thus talking to herself.
She had fallen into the habit from the
lonely life she led, for her husband sell
dom, if ever, paid any attention to her
remarks. Indeed, it was doubtful
whether he understood them great
part of the time, as his mind shared in !
II - l q 4