The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-06-09


head OH one side she said medita-
Tom, he does, certainly" and upon
this her mistress hurried out OF the
oDen door, and casting a look Of
scornful reproach upon viii, seized
Polls cage and bore II into the
house.
'She must have heard my aunt
say that" reflected the boy. "fapa's
name was Thomas But still l can
not see that she shows any signs OF
relenting. Well, IL she doesn't"
with Little thrill OF independence,
'I rather think / can take care OF
myself in year or two, anyway
Perhaps she will be glad TO own me,
some time"
When he arrived at his uncle's shop
he found out that the poor man had
been very Ill with rheumatism, ana
was still scarcely able TO be out OF
bed, though he was working away for
dear life at a patch on one OF Farmer
Whites cowhide boots He seemed
greatly distressed that viii should
have lost his place, and VIII resolved
that he would lind another one In the
course or day or two. or 20 to the
poOrhouse. lie would not be an ad-
ditiOnal burden TO such a poverty
stricken household.
But though he spent all that after
noon in going from one farmer TO
another, nc one wished TO hire so
young boy. and there was nothing
TO do but go back TO his uncle's and
spend the night at least.
1t was fierce, windy night after
such calm, bright day. Everything
creaked and ratified. Clouds kept
scudding across the round, white
face OF the moon, and the trees
wrlthed and twisted as II they were
in agony Will went 10 bed early,
but for the first time in his life he
could not sleep At first he thought
it was because the room was SO light,
the W ndow curtains being undrawn;
then he thought IL was because he
was so tired and discouraged His
five small cousins all in row I'm one
trundle-bed, like Hop o. my Thumb"
and his brothers, were clasped tightly
In the arms OF the sand Man" and
their big brother in the bed with
Will had not stirred since his head
touched the pillow.
VIII tossed and turned He heard
the clock strike nine, ten, eleven,
and then not being able to endure
such state OF things any longer, he
got up and looked out OF the window
by way OF little diversion. The
nj hnLtp an
and no one was abroad in the sleepy
roads AS there was no fire in the
room and the March night was de-
cidedly chilly, he was unable to pro-
long his stay at thc window. how
ever, and was just about TO tumble
disconsolately into bed again, when
little cloud OF smoke over in the di-
rectiOn OF the church met his eye
and as he ga ed upon 1t 1t became
colOrcd with a crimson shaft OF flame.
Good gracious. My aunts house
is on fire." he exclaimed And OPEN
ing the W ndow. he shouted, Fire!
fire! fire." az Justify as he could, at
the same time throwing on a portion
OF his clothing. Then, half-dresscd
and wild with excitement, he rushed
out OF the house and toward the
scene OF disaster, rousing the people
along the way with his loud cries.
He and Farmer Jones, who lived In
the house next his uncle's and who
had been awakened by Wits alarm.
were the first TO reach the spot, but
they were almost Immediately Joined
by several OF the ne ghborS The
wind was so high that the fire had
gained rapid headway, and all the
upper part Of the cottage was wrapped
in IA seething mass OF flame.
The men burst open the door, ana
at the peril OF their lives, rescued
Miss Pinkham and Debby, who for
tunately both slept below. They
were stupetied by the smoke and
seemed half.dazed on being dragged
into the open air, though even when
first aroused, Miss Pinkham had the
presence OF mind to seize the box
which contained her valuable papers
and money, which she always kept
under her pillow. But there was no
fire eng ne I'm town, and no attempt
was made To eXtinguish the tlre. only
TO prevent it from going any further,
and none OF the household furniture
was saved.
Must everything go?" said the
old lady, clasping her withcred hands
tightly.
II should think you'd he too
thankful that your life was saved, TO
fret about anything else, and IL IT,
hadn't been for your nephew you'd
have been burnt up with the house."
remarked blunt neighbor
"Oh. Polly Polly! My beautiful.
blessed Poll" shr,eKed Miss Pink
ham. suddenly remembering her pet.
">he's burning up right here in the
sitting room window. save herl
oh. pray you, save her."
TOO late, marm. The fires gone
so fur 'twould be dangerous TO step
inside the building, and miserable
bird isn't OF enough Importance that
a man should peril his life TO save
her"