The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-12-15

The firemen were called out at about
o'clock last evening to fight fire at 1l2
South Main street, the promises which have
been occupied by Bells museum, the head
quarters Of all monstrosites from all quarters
of the globe. When the fire first started the
mummy standing at the left hand side of the
stage actually wriggled in its excitement
1t tried to give an alarm, but the bindings
about its decomposed body were so tightly
drawn that the POOR relic of Egyptian glory
plunged itself into cloud of smoke in
despair and tell upon the floor of the palace
Of immortal remembrances with that deadly
thud which so frequently strikes terror to
the hearts Of the average dime novel reader
The flames ragged fast and furiously and
there were none in the place to contemplate
all the variously colored darts in all their
glory but two monkeys, a diminutive crocO.
die, and a Chinese rat. Elaborately decorated
sheets of canvass suspended in the hall pre-
vented people on the street from taking in
2
the living curiosities, that is to say those
above enumerated, the others being at supper
at their hotel at some distance, saw the
danger Immediately. The crocodile at once
concluded that it was cheaper to move than
to ray rent, and as no steel bars stood in his
course he soon dropped to the floor with a
safe but ungracetul flop.
The monkeys at once precipitated a chitter-
ing and chattering which would have ont.
distanced any womans sewing circle ON short
notice A monkey likes peanuts, candy and
petting, but it draws a line at smoke and fire
These are facts from history, and not from
experience The approach of the flames
made them frantic and in desperation they
bit and tore the ropes which held them cap
tive on the upturned soap boxes nailed gainst
the walls of the museum until they freed
themselves of bondage.
Meanwhile passing citizens had discovered
the fire and an alarm was sent out. The fire
department responded promptly The first
thing the iiremen did was to pull the fat
woman from the second story, and the rescue
of the snake charmer and the living skeleton
soon followed. They were all on canvass.
Frank Codrugtou picked up the fat woman
with one hand and threw her over dry
goods box Assistant Marshal Leary glanced
hurredly at the living skeleton and with the
greatest ease hurled him into the gutter.
Policeman Casey at the same time bounced
the India rubber man and Jimmy" Williams
grabbed the speechless organ.
The fire was raging fast and furious when
George Cox saw an escaping 'possum dive in
TO sewer and shouted for Pat Kings Joe"
Everything was in an uproar when little
monkey pulled aside a curtain in one of the
show windows aud pitfuly appealed for
help. Tommy" Waters the comedian and
musical phenomenon, could not stand that.
In spite of smoke and fame he rushed in
through the opening which had been made
by the gallant fire fighters and few moments
re appeared with the missing link" in his
arms. Cheers greeted Tommy" and he
said it reminded him of his best days with
the Trolley"
At this moment Harry Close appeared and
swore he saw the feet of a man protruding
from dense cloud Of smoke. One of the
"Hookies' made a grab and giving tremen-
dous jerk drew forth the right leg of an
Egyptian mummy. "Excesor!" was the cry,
and the amputated limb was full of it,
In due time the flames were extinguished
and when there was about two inches OF
water upon the museum floor the lady who is
gifted with the ordinary power of second
sight appeared She did not for see the fire
because she had beeisteall and onions for
supper and the odor of the latter was so
strong it clouded her mind. One of the fire
men recognized the apology with, you're a
daisy, mum"
After the twice-sghted lady got her bear
ings on this friendly side of a soap box she
exclaimed, "Oh the poor rat" The object Of
sympathy did not respond, because he was in
great Christmas dinner shape, although some
of the fremen did make use of the plural
and said "ratsl"
The lady who at one time ran the ten, cents
a-chance.and draw-a govemment.bo bond game
appeared upon the scene Immediately after
the double minded lady and shared the SOAP
box with her. well, this is nice state OF
affairs" said she.
Mr.. Bell was seen Immediately after the
fire and could give no approximate of the
loss. He afterwards said that ST. 900 would
cover il. He would make an excellent OK
pert for some Of the sheriff sales we have in
town. The creditors would also receive theil
just dues
Mr., Bell lost the Chinese rat. The alli-
gator was found after the fire founderiug in
, a pool of water near the entrance to the