The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-06-05

work fall in her lap and make quickly
the sign Of the cross. She had indeed
noticed the new guest, but evidently
did not think him worthy of a second
glance.
"a draml' said the ant hunter rough
~. The lsmdlady knit industriously on
"a dramr' came more violently from
the corner. That took effect Slowly
the woman got up. More leisurely than
was necessary she went to the cupboard
and finally placed, with soant courtesy,
the desired liquor before her guest
The latter looked at her in curiously
hooking way.
Aren't you glad to see meS'' said
be- II have the same right to sit here
as the others. pay my bills -
At the table where the peasants sat
there had been great commotion ever
since the arrival of the ant hunter.
There was much putting of heads to-
gether, very animated whispering and
an industrious passing about Of the
pitcher.
''Landladyp finally cried the princi-
shouldered, thick set man, "the pitcher
is empty. If you want to fill it again,
please to notice that we're not going to
sit in the same room with jsilbird-
The ant hHnter shrank at the tones Of
this voice.
''Xavieri' he faltered
The man SO designated caught the
word, and with flushed face and hold
ing his oaken stool In his hand took
few steps forward.
''Now, said he, trembling with ex-
element, there is the doorp
The ant hunter had risen. He seemed
strangely calm.
Xavier, 5" said he, you are making
yourself unnecessary trouble. Your
scorn no longer irritates me Once have
I raised my hand against you in revenge,
but l ought not to have done it. Now /
am waiting until the hour itself comes. .
A binding light flooded the whole
room. Then came fearful clap. The
windows ratified. With shrek, the
landlady sprang up, and all rushed to
the window
"That struckl' said the ant hunter
and sat quietly down again.
Outside deepest darkness reigned In
vain did we seek to pierce it. Suddenly
a column Of fire mounted to heaven.
The whole village was as light as day.
20 God, my farm buildings'' cried
Xavier, burying his face in his hands.
II believe the hour is here, said the
ant hunter and emptied his glass.
From the towers sounded again the
storm bell. Grewsome were the shrill
tones as they rang through the darkness
of the night.
''Firel Firel' was next heard through
the village, and the startled people ran
hither and thither in the widest excite
ment Windows were thrown open,
doors creaked on their hinges, and ev-
erybody rushed toward the wooded ridge
from the foot of which a mighty pyra-
mid Of fame rose toward the sky.
Shrieling and crying, the frightened
women and children begged their hus-
bands and fathers not to expose them
selves to danger.
But their alarm was groundless. They
had nothing to fear from that scene of
horror Not finger was lifted to bring
help to that stricken home. God himself
had hurled the thunderbolt, and where
he kindles the fire-so it is related
shudderingly from generation to gener
alton of the peasant folk-billows Of
water are powerless to extinguish it.
Idly, therefore, stood hundreds of
people before the finest farmhouse in
the valley and gazed with impotent hor-
ror into the flames which would soon
engulf it.
With disheveled locks and wild de-
spair in his eyes, Xavier appeared now
and then and threw out whatever came
to his hand, howsoever worthless it
might be-
The wretched man had lost his senses.
A group of women had gathered about
the we'll, and in their midst lay the
farmers wife, who had dropped down
there utterly exhausted from fright and
excitement She had been with the chill
dren In the house when the lightning
struck the adjoining barn and set it on
fire When she flew from the house, the
rafters were already ablaze.
The women were bathing her head
with the fresh well water when she
opened her eyes and looked anxiously
about.
''Friedel, Loirer' she cried, and with
the words pressed the sobbing children
to her breast
"Merciful heaven My little Tony!"
she suddenly shrieked, springing to her
feet. ''He lies up there in his cradle
and will be burned to DEATH"
Horror held the bystanders spell
bound. It was heartrending to see the
poor mother in her despair. 1t did not
seem possible for human being to offer
help. Already the flames were bursting
from the windows. Even Xavier had
been forced to desist from his labors.
With singed hair and clothing, he APP
peared now in the doorway.
my baby My baby Save my
babyr' moaned the mother, wringing
her hands.
No one stirred Any attempt would
have been foolhardy.
"Give me my child, or l shall diep'
she cried again and rushed herself to-
ward the scorching, fiery furnace, as if
to snatch her darling from its depths.
Just then heavy hand was laid upon
her shoulder, holding her back.
Don't do that, Marie, she heard a
rough voice say. you have made me q
criminals now viii take my revengeP'
An icy chill ran through my veins at
these words. 1t was the ant hunter who
spoke
"Josephl Good heavensl Would you
kill my child?'' cried the mother, and
In her desperation she chung about his
knees
Quick as lightning the ant hunter
pushed her from him and rushed him
self into the billowing flames, A cry Of
horror burst from all who saw him.
The unhappy man had voluntarily gone
to his death. Any instant the rafters
might fall In, and if he were not suffo-
Gated with the smoke they would bury
him in their ruins.
A few breathless, horrible moments
went by. Silently all eyes were fixed
upon the fire wreathed windows, when
suddenly there appeared at the top one
figure holding black object high in
his hands.
''Catch iti' sounded from above.
Twenty hands were stretched into the
air and caught the cradle which the ant
hunter dropped to them.
A low whimpering issued from 1t.
''He hvesl'' were the joyful words
that rang from the heart of the mother.
He liyesl" fell with hollow sound