National Baptist world., 1894-09-14

brown loaves had already been drawn
from the oven and set on the wide
pantry shelf to cool.
A home-cured ham was gently SIM
mering over the stove, and the twelve
o'clock dinner was under way.
Farmer Grigsby sat moodily await
ing the coming meal, when Tom
Grigsby dashed into the house.
Forest fresr he shouted. 'The
fence has caught, an it's almost up to
the stacks!'
In moment all was confusion. The
the rescue of his crops.
His wife and daughters eagerly fol-
lowed, each armed with stout cudgel,
to assist in battling with the devour-
ing element.
For weeks there had been drought
leaving the grass and underbrush as
dry as tinder. The flames swept rap
idly forward. Rail fences and fallen
brushwood cracked in the fierce heat.
Bravely the anxious family fought
for their possessions, only to be
baff1ed and driven back by the relent-
less flames
Overcome at last by exhaustion and
despair, Farmer Grigsby dropped his
weapon and groaned aloud.
The crops must go!'' he sighed,
hopelessly. II am ruined man. 1t
mOre'n | expect"
But, even as he spoke, an encourag-
ing shout was heard from the deserted
footpath, which led across lots"
Keep a stout heart, neighbor Well
see you through.'
Every eye turned in the direction OF
the cherry sound, to behold the stall
wart figure of Seth Stubblefeld hurry
| ing forward, a stout spade on his
! shoulder.
At his heels came his son Ben, carry
ing a lOng-handled shovel, and follow
| ing closely after him were Mrs. Stub
! blefield and Susan, the one bandishing
a rake and the other hoe.
New strength was infused into the
Grigsby family by this timely rein
fOrcement, and all hands fell to worb
The men, with their spades, beat out
every fresh blaze made by the spread
ing flames The boys tore down en-
dangered fences, and carried the rail-
out of harms way.
The rake and hoe, IN the hands of thu
women, were used to good advantage IL
drawing dead leaves and other debris
away from the line of the encroach
ing fire, and the girls brought waite
around in tin pals and handed drip
| ping gourdfuls of the refreshing ele
ment to the thirsty and perspirin!
workers.
Their heroic efforts were crowned
with victory at last. The persistent TO
was conquered, with no more seriou
loss than the destruction of a few rod
of rail fence.
AN we'll turn in an give ye rail
splittin' to make them good" volun
teered Farmer Stubblefeld.
"An' now your wheatstacks and hay
ricks is safe, neighbor, l reckon w
mays we'll be gittin' along" he added
mopping his face. "If you'd only 7
blowed the horn to let us know yo1
was in trouble we'd "a got here sooner
But, anyhow, the dangers all owe
now"
Yes, thank you, ole FRIEND" al
swered Hiram Grigsby, in stifie
voice. II hadn't the right to expec
no help from you, after bein so mea
as to sue you"
"Pooh! pooh! I'd "a been meaner'
pusley if I'd stood by an saw you
crops burnt up. An you done right t
sue me. I'd ought to keep my part I
the fence up" confessed Farmer Stul
blefield, eagerly. But I'll pay all tn
damages my cattle has done in you
cornfield. An I'LL
"You won't-you shan'tr' Interrupt
, ed Hiram. "They hain't done no dan
| age, an won't hev cent"
Here the worthy farmer brok
l down. His feelings choked furthe
utterance, and grasping the hand {
his late enemy, he gave it a heart
shake, which was quite as heartily r
turned
III sell every hoof O stock on n
farm but what I'll keep EN- fro