The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-07-13

heard that awful cry. but could see no
one Rushing hastily forward in the
direction from which il game he sud
denly found has way barred by huge
tree that. struck by the lightning had
fallen in the path. Beneath it. its ter
rlble weight lying square across his
body. lay a man. After an instant
Jared recognized him as sam Baker a
tramping farmland, who had been
about the village for a few weeks. and
had finally gone to work for some on,.
of the neighboring farmers lie had
been blowing in the field below when
the storm came up. and had stupidity
taken refuge in the clump OF trees on
the hillside, leaving his plow in the
turrow and his horse still inspanned
to brave the storm alone.
The tree under which he stood had
been struck by lightning. and had fall
en- upon him. 1t was smoking a little
where the branches forlled only the
dampness keeping it from burning
Get it off. get it off, the poor fellow
shrieked as he saw Jared. The boy
was old for his years and uncommonlv
quick of wit. but his strength WAS
wholly inadequate To move the tree
He pondered an instant amid the roars
of the storm and the screams of th,.
tortured man, and then rushed down
the hill and across the haIf-plowed
field. with Its muddy burrows to where
the patient, numbering. old white plow
horse stood, head down and his low
set, mongrcl tail turned to the storm
To unspan him from the plow and lead
him up the hill was but the work of a
minute The reins had been length
ened with rope. and taking this Jared
TAI a y. L.. 1
the tree, hooking the singletrec into
it Sam saw the idea and its dangers.
IF you drag that tree across me- he
groaned, you'll kill me. 1t must be
lifted"
Jared saw that his words were only
too true Something, however. must
be done Sans shrielSs had ceased,
but he was still groaning in agony.
only failing strength huShing his
cries Down on his hands and knees
Jared got, putting his puny shoulder
against the trunk of the tree. Had his
boys body been half as stout as his
heart he would have lifted When all
was ready he gave the old white horse
the word To go forward. The chain
ughtened and with strength born of
his extremity the boy raised his back.
fairly forcing himself beneath the
tree, giving IL an upward impetus as
the horse dragged IL forward. III. was
not able to lift. save for single in
stant, but that served To carry it free
from Sans chest and head. and when
IL fell from the mans body, Jared too.
fell forward with Il strange. Suffocat-
ing sense of oppression in his chest
After a minute ne rallied and staggered
to his feet. sam was unconscious and
lay upon his back, the rain beating
down upon his face. and mingling with
the blood that flowed from dreadful
wound in his breast II was plain,
even to Jared. that he would die if
aelp was not quickly brought 1t was
a mile tu the village, and he felt sick
to death himself but gathering his lit
tie strength ne pulled the harness and
tugs from the horses shouldcrs-the
collar was beyond his ability To move
tied up the reins and clambered upon
his back
The awkwa rd creature was unused
to being ridden, and he started, swirl
ing and plunging. Jared tucked one
arm under the big collar seized the
reIns in the other hand and dug his
heels furiously into the horses sides
\ sharp flash came Just then. and the
to the animals terror The big, lum-
boring brute sprang forward with a
lun~ing attempt at a run. which final
" settled into a laundering three
cornered gallop as he tore down the
hill. sending the damp earth up be-
hind him in great clods from his enor-
nous hoofs. At every rise Jared had
all he could do to keep from going over
the animals great chucille-head; at ev-
cry impact of the sho vel-like feet upon
the ground the breath seemed about
to leave the boys body, but he clung
grimly, urging hls unrainly steed on
as though death followed behind. One
by one the familiar landmarks were
passed on the road To the village.
Straight down the single street he
rode. and pulled rein in front of the
one store that was trading place. post
Office. club room and general lounging
stand for the whole neighborhood-
There's that young imp. the Sim
plex boy. on my old Bill" shouted
Farmer Briggs as Jared fairly threw
himself To the ground, while the still
frightened brute rushed on again re-
lieved of his rider Drat that boy,
Look at that He'd ortcr have every
bone in his blamed body broke for let
ting IAaL ntbSS run OIL anu ll6 AFdlAl-
fully started for the door Just as Jared
entered.
something's wrong here" cried DIR
Barton. who was one of the rain-bound
loiterers within the store. a he saw
the boys pale, strained face What's
up, Bub?"
The effort to speak was almost be
yond Jared's remaining strength He
made two or three inarticulate gasps
and finally managed To calculate; sam
Baker dying - Mill Greek Falls
amt hurt. Bill. Mr.. Briggs-l-"
The doctor bent over him anNiously.
tenderly - the words of blame died
from the pale lips of Eriggs-the men
crowded round. breathleSs. watching
the physician As he made his examina-
tion At last with pityinE sigh, he
straighteEed up. Nothing can be
done. Some one carry him home while
we go and find Baker" and the tall,
burlv doctor bent over and kissed the
BOYS blue. blood-stained lips
lit was a stout heart" he said, and
a brave one. but only the heart of a
boy after all: il could not stand the
STANDARDIZATION Budget
Heroic Medical Experiment