The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-04-02

MHZl Nell. you're the little
WV housekeeper, you know
5MS Good-by" Mr.. Lums
V den picked up his reins,
and spoke to his horses, and the
brightly painted farm wagon rumbled
away down the narrow wheel-track
The Lumsdens lived "out Vest On
all sides great prairie spread away
to the level horizon, a sea-likeexpanse
OF monotonous grass, broken only by
the buildings and cultivated ground
OF the farm. A lonely enough land.
scape, to, tell the truth; aud to-day it
seemed even loneler than usual, for
mother had died years ago and father
was~now away.
But there was plenty of work to do,
both indoors and out, so that the
day passed without leaving much
time for melancholy thoughts, and
when bedtime came both were SO tired
that they fell asleep before they had
fairly settled themselves among their
pillows.
Rodney! Rodney! Wake up! Wake
up"
1T was Nellie's voice, and there was
something in it's tones that made the
boy spring out upon the floor before
he was well awake and stood staring
about him with bewildered, half-open-
ed eyes, hardly knowing wherehe was
or what had aroused him. Great
waves OF red light trembled upon the
wallis and flashed over tho bit of sky
that could be seen through the small
window. Rodney rushed to look out.
THE prairie's on fire." cried Nell.
The whole country appeared to be
ablaze and high wind, almost tenn
pest, blew from the very center of the
confagration. Between the fire and
house and all around spread the tall
dry grass, quick to catch as powder
and as impossible to quench.
'Oh, IL father were only here!'
thought both children. Like any 9th
er Western boy Rodney knew in an in
slant what ought to be done. Mr..
Lumsden had been so occupied since
taking the farm that he never found
time to run "fire-break" in order to
protect his property against the very
danger now threatening it. A fire
break is made by blowing two lines OF
q few burrows each some hundred
yards apart, and then burning the
grass between. The flames reaching
this burned belt, bordered on either
side by damp, freshly turned earth,
are at once arrested and die away for
want OF fuel. Every exposed prairie
farmhouse ought to be defended in
this manner. Nellie, too, perfectly un-
derstood the situation.
1--WE must run break" said she,
while her brother was hastily dressing.
He looked up despairingly.
How can we? Father has both
horses. II they were here know l
could manage; but what am going to
do with no team?"
why not use Gray Billy" asked
Nellie.
In spite OF his anxiety Rodney al
most laughed. Gray Billy, the saddle
horse, who had never pulled pound
in his life! To even dream OF putting
him in pillow.
"It's just the same rs having no
horse ut all"
: perhaps; but ] somehow feel that
Billy will do it. You know how bright
he is-how he seems to understand
every word you say TO him. Oh,
Rodney; please please try"
"Well, It's the only thing wecan try.
But l know he'll never do it; never
in the world" While yet speaking
Rodney leaped down the stairs, ran out
OF the house to the stable few steps
distant, and throwing open the doors
hurried to Billy's stall. He could see
the bright eyes of the gray horse, who
turned it's head and inquisitive ears
toward the disturber OF his night g
rest, plainly wondering what this un-
timely visit could mean. Billy was
the family pet. He came OF famous
stock and had thoroughbred blood in
bis veins; the blood which puts the
horse that possesses even a few drops
Oft so far above all ordinary horses
that he can hardly be said to be Of
their kind. Trained entirely by kind
ness, without ever having known WHIP
or spur, harsh words or rough treat
ment, Gray Billy was an intelligent
almost reasoning animal, hts masters
loving friend, willing to 60 anywhere
or do anything, to the last heart beat
II only he felt that masters hand and
heard his voice.
Rodney began fitting single pillow
harness upon the olender body OF thu
splendid horse. Billy quivered as III
felt the unaccustomed weight OF tn
heavy collar and head stall, but die
not stir foot, only snufiing curious
ly mt his novel trappings and watch
ing the boy with astonished gaze. TIL
last buckle fastened. Rodney led Bill!
out OF the dark stable. The fire wa
alarminaly nenr. It seemed to hav
increased tenfold during the few min
utes passed in the stable and now fill
cd tho sky with whirlinR clouds o
smoke, while beneath the flame
sportei higher than ever, approachin