The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-07-13

of chambermaid, and her name am
Sophrenia Johnson"
"Well. give us the change an the
letter, an I'm Off"
"Whew' ~ exclaimed the boy, as he
started off with the letter in his pocket
and the directions in his head.
The very house they druv Inc from
this mornin'. Wonder if the Niger
will order me off the stoop -
As the young 'colOred gemman"
had said, it was ''only a piece up
! town. the house being on Fifth ave
nue., just above Sixteenth street.
But as the boy neared the corner of
the street, a piercing cry of Fire q,
Fire y; reached his ear hurrying on
to see from whence it came, to his
amazement, it proved to be the very
house to which he was bent on his err
rand as letter carrier.
The fire alarm had been sounded
and Il crowd was rapidly gathering
before the door, and in among them
the boot black was soon standing.
In someway the fire had gained
Roadway before its existence had
been discovered, and the flames were
darting upward through the wide
halls and into the second story. The
stair case was wrapped in n wreathing
cloud of smoke, and little flames of
crimson light appeared in its midst.
On the pavement just beyond, stood
a gray haired man, with clasped hands
and Il face stricken with terror.
Our young friend recognized him at
once.
1t was the same old gentleman who
had told him so gruffiy to ''be off,
that morning, and in an instant he
took it all in. That he was the father
of the young lady he had seen at the
window, and that some one was perish
ing in the flames.
my child, my pet ~ he was saying,
piteously, to himself, then turning
very excitedly to the gathering crowd,
he exclaimed, in tones that sounded
above the din of the murmuring
throng about him:
"a hundred dollars to the one who
will save my grandchild Who will
save my grandchild -
Il will - responded IL shrill voice at
his side no OF her than that of the
poor boot-black of the morning.
"You are only child" he began.
But the boy, p ,inting to the twirl-
ing flames above him, interrupted
hastily:
"Tell me where the child is, and for
Gods sake be quick"
I'm the second story back, in a little
crib
"Some of you fellers boost me onter
that ledge above the parlor window ~
said the boy to the gaping bystanders,
land I'll have it down in twinkling."
Quickly they did his bidding, and
-, Loo, + fol 10 Lot
he had clambered to the front window,
and effecting an entrance, disappeared
among the choking smoke that was
fast filling the room.
He soon found the crib, and taking
the little sleeper in his arms, wrapped
it up, head and foot, in a blanket
he tore from the rosewood bedstead
at its side.
Then pulling off one of the sheets
he endeavored to tear it into shreds,
but in vain it was made of the finest
and strongest linen. His knife, how
ever, was i'll his pocket, and hastily
whipping it out, he cut it into Il num-
Der of strips.
Then tying them together by way
of rope, he fastened it about the
middle of the child.
Here it is ~ he shouted, and at
once proceeded to lower the child into
its grandfather's outstretched arms.
\ great cheer sounded up from the
multitude below, and the firemen see
ing his precarious position, ran for IL
ladder. Bnt every instant the danger
increased, and he could feel the seeth
ing fire almost catching him i'll its
merciless embrace.
Il must jump ~ he shouted, and
hundred hands reached out to catch
him as he gave the leap.
But with all the eagerness of those
beneath him, they missed their reckon
ing and he fell heavily to the ground.
Tender hands raised him but there
was no recognition in the still, white
face.
A deep cash across the forehead
pointed to the most serious wound lie
had received, and, without once open
ing his eyes or giving the least sign of
consciousness, he was borne to Il
neighboring hospital.
1t was many days before he rcover-
ed his senSeS-weeks before he could
walk But when this stage had been
reached he was the recipient of good
tidings. The hundred dollars, which
seemed fortune in his inexperienced
eyes, was certainly his but better
than this was the news that the par
ents of the child he had saved intend
ed to take his future in their own
charge.
Since then lie has become Il man of
high position and unquestionable
ability, and whenever he is asked how
he came by the scar on his forehead,
his answer invariably is:
Il received it when | was Il boot
black, and | call it my 'revenge.'n