Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-05-02
A Night of Terror.

go? l want to go so bad, mamma!
Do get papa to let me!' And Fred
Grant stood on one leg like tired
rooster, and hitched and twisted, and
did everything he could think of to
show how anxious and excited he was.
Uncle Dan Hurley was going off for
weeks hunting on the prairies, with
tent to live in, and he wanted Fred
to 60 too. Just ask any boy if Fred
was likely to want to 60.
But papa and mamma could hardly
decide hastily.
"Say, mamma, can 1? Say, man.
ma, can l go?" Fred kept asking over
and over again, until at last papa said
60 out on the lawn and play while
we talk it over, Fred. We will call
you when we have decided"
Fred knew he had to go, but he did
not do so willingly. He backed out of
the room slowly, and hopping on one
foot so as to stay as long as possible.
But he got out at last. AS soon as he
was gone his papa said: well. what
do you think of it. mammal"
at would do him good" answered
mamma. "But there's one objection
Dan will drink little now and then"
Surely he would not, when he was
out with child in his care" said papa.
"Well, | don't know" answered
mamma, thoughtfully. Il fear to risk
it."
"rll have a talk with him." said
Fred's papa. "And if he will promise
to stay thoroughly sober, 1 guess Fred
may 60"
Uncle Dan promised faithfully not to
touch one drop of liquor while he was
out. But if he meant to keep the prom
Use, what made him take the little
black jug of whisky along in his stores?
However, Mr.. and Mrs. Grant knew
nothing of that little black jug, SO thew
trusted uncle Dams word. and let Fred
90 to the praires with him.
Oh, what fun they had at first! They
went on horseback. Uncle Dan rode a
stout gray, and had the tent folded and
strapped to his saddle behind. He also
had their small camp kettle. while Fred
carried the bag which held their pro-
visions.
The first night they camped beside a
beautiful stream. They pitched their
tent built a fire. hung the kettle on a
pole laid across two sticks with
crotches in them, and cooked their sup
per.
Fred turned the ponies out to eat the
sweet prairie grass, fastening them to
stake with a long rope, so they could
not wander away. Then he sat on a
log and watched uncle Dan preparing
their supper. And when it was eaten
he slept in the tent with uncle Dan.
He thought it was 'splendid," don't
think there ever was a boy who enjoy
ed trip more than Fred enjoy ed that
one for several days.
But alas, alas! One evening when
they unpacked their camp stores uncle
Dan took out the black jug he had hid
den away. He did not let Fred see it,
but the boy soon knew that something
was the matter He did not know
what, but he saw that uncle Dan, in
stead of being lively and telling stories
as usual, was stupid and sleepy. Fred
asked if he was sick. Uncle Dan said,
mo, only tired"
Fred was very tired himself, so he,
too, very readily laid down in the tent
and soon fell asleep. Uncle Dan al
ways carefully put out the fire, so that
it should not catch the dry prairie
grass. Tonight the black jug made
him forget to attend to the was moi
himself, you see.
And so it happened that some time in
the night a bright light and cracking
sound woke Fred. He sprung up and
saw II dreadful thing. The prairie was
on fire all around them. Worse: the
tent they were under was in flames.
In agony the poor boy tried to wake
his uncle; but the whisky had done its
work too we'll. He could not ever
rouse him. And every instant the
scorching flames came hotter anC
nearer. In few moments they must
both perish, unless the boy could save
the man.
With q smothcred cry to God fol
help, Fred did all he could do. He
rolled and tugged and pulled, until
with his blistered hands, he rolled the
J insenSible man into the little stream OF
whose banks they were encamped.
Then he held uncle Dams head up
himself lying nearly under water, un
til the flames had passed on and lief
them. He tired to drag his chile,
limbs back to shore. but could only
draw uncle Dan half way out of the
water, until he came to his senses
where he lay.
And how do you think uncle Dan fef
when reason returned. their tent anC
horses burned, their bodies all painful
blsters wet, chilled and alone, m le
away from home-all because he hac
yielded to the dreadful appetite? They
reached home at last alive. But incl,
Dan finally died from the effects o
that nights exposures, and Fred will
carry the scars OF his burns to tn
grave. But he will never. never toucl
one drop of liquor so long as he lives
Careful Builders.
. Don't Deceive Children.