The Somerset reporter., 1894-07-12
Xavier" said he, "you are making

| raised my hand against you IN revenge,
but ought not to have done it. Now |
am waiting until the hour itself comes. ;"
\ 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 struck" said the ant hunter
and sat quietly down again.
Outside deepest darkness relgned. In
vain did we seek to pierce it. Suddenly
column Of fire mounted TO heaven.
The whole village was as light as day.
40 God, my farm buildings cried
Xavier, burying his face in his hands.
Il believe the hour is here, said the
ant hunter and emptied his glass.
From the towers sounded again tho
storm bell. Grewsome were the shrill
tones as they rang through the darkness
of the night.
"Firel FIRE. was next heard through
the village and the startled people ran
hither and thither i'll the widest excite
ment Windows were thrown open,
doors creaked on their hinges, and ey-
erybody rushed toward the wooded ridge
from the foot of which mighty pyra-
mid Of flame rose toward the sky.
Shrieking and crying, the frightened
women and children begged their nus
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 fre-so it is related
shudderiugly from generation to gener-
alton of the peasant folk-billows of
water are powerless to extinguish 1t.
Idly, therefore, stood hundreds Of
people before the finest farmhouse in
the valley and gazed with impotent hor-
ror into the flames which would soop
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, howsoevcr worthless it
might be-
The wretchcd man had lost his senses
A group of women had gathered about
the well, 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 abaZe.
The women Were bathing her head
with the fresh well water when she
opened her eyes and looked anxiously
about.
"Friedcl, Loirel" 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 bis cradle
and will be burned to death!'
Horror held the bystanders spell
bound. 1t was heartrending to see the
poor mother in her despair. It 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 sipged hair and clothing he APP
peared now in the doorway.
My baby! My baby! Save my
babyp' moaned the mother, wringing
her hands
No one stirred. Any attempt would
have been foolhardy.
Give me my child, on shall die!"
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
rough voice say You have made me a
criminal; now | will take my revengel"
An icy chill ran through my veins at
these words. 1t was the ant hunter who
spoke
Joseph! Good heayens 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
there appeared at the top one
a figure holding black object high in
his hands.
Catch it" sounded from above.
Twenty hands We're stretched into the
air and caught the cradle which the ant
hunter dropped to rhem.
A low whimpering issued from it.
g He lives" were the joyful words
that rang from the heart of the mother.
He lives" fell with hollow sound
from the window above, and the whole
house, with a fearful crack and tumble,
seemed to repeat the words,
The handsome farmhouse disappeared
rs if by magic, and in it, place a charred
fuin yawned horribly,
Joseph shrieked the farmer wife,
bethinking herself of the rescuer OF her
child.
All was still.
He is avenged said |, half aloud,
and turned away to hide my tears. -
translated From the German For Ro-
nance.
IN PRIVATE PRACTIt T..