The Yale expositor., 1896-11-20

OulhOuScs ItChOu luty IA 80 Oh hoN'
He was right. There was a sudden
explosion, and Immediately the out
house burst into mass of flames.
The doctor was heard above the ba-
bel of voices.
run for the engine-you, Jackson"
Jackson made off to the town; hut
in an incredibly short space Of time the
whole wing appeared to be in flames
masters, boys and domestlcs gazing
helplessly at the conhagration.
The next few minutes seemed an age
to them, for they could do absolutely
nothing.
Keep back, boys. Here they come"
the doctor shouted, as the noise of the
approaching engine was heard.
Suddenly an excited figure pushed
its way through the crowd; and Mr..
Joyce, the junior master, made a rush
for the burning doorway.
Come back, Mr.. Joyce, come back"
was the cry taken up on all sides.
But the master dashed on; and only
a few heard his "My papers! my pa
pers" as he disappeared into the
smoke.
The fire brigade was already getting
to work, and all was hustle and excite
ment.
rs there anyone in the house?" de-
manded their captain.
He was answered by a cry from the
boys. The unfortunate Mr.. Joyce, his
retreat cut off by the rapidly advanc-
ing flames, appeared at an upper win
dow.
Help! help" he shouted; bring the
escaper'
But the fierce flames, bursting
through the lower windows, rendered
the escape useless. 1t was death for
him TO remain there; already the room
beneath him was well alight; and the
crowd gazed horror-strlcken at the
masters desperate plight
But British flremen are never beaten.
A yell Of delight went up as one of the
plucky fellows was seen clambering
along the roof, with rope attached to
his body. To fasten one end to a chin
ney-stack, slide down to the coping,
and lower the other to the master, was
the work of few seconds.
Cheer after cheer rang out as through
the smoke the two were seen standing
together away from all reach of the
devouring flames.
BY this time the efforts of the fire.
men were meeting with their reward;
and though it was hard struggle, they
managed TO keep the fire from the rest
Of the building.
Just before midnight the flames were
finally subdued, and the boys sent the
firemen off with three hearty cheers.
Lucky for us 1t isn't in the dormi-
tories" remarked Frank, as he turned
into bed that night-or rather early
the next morning; though 1t doesn't
matter much to me, l suppose. Guess
shall be like my fireworks, and go of
suddenly"
A few of them laughed feebly, but
the rest took too serious a view of
Franks situation to appreciate his
joke.
my word" said young Jackson, soft
ly, to himself, won't there be a row
tomorrow
There was hush OF expectancy over
all when the school assembled the next
morning, and the boys hardly dared
to breathe when the doctor rose to ad-
dress them.
Quietly and impressively he spoke,
dwelling on the seriousness of the pre-
vious nights events. and then, sud-
denly holding up the charred case of
a sQuib. said:
Now, boys, one OF the fremen
brought this to me. Which of you has
been making freworks?"
For a moment no one spoke.
Come, boys" the doctor added.
sternly, (which of you has been max
ing fireworks?"
Now for explosion number two"
muttered Frank. Here goes. Please,
sir. Il was me-"
A sigh OF mingled relief and admira-
ton escaped from the boys as they re-
allied that their leader in the enter
prise meant to take the responsibility.
"How comes this, leicester" the
doctor demanded. What were you do
ing with fireworks?"
They were for the Fourth, sir" re-
piled Frank. Il made them to cele-
brate il, sir"
The doctor looked mystified.
"But DO you mean to say that you
let them off in the out-house?"
mo, sir; was keeping them for to-
day"
"But how came they alight?" thun-
dered Doctor Pollock. Fireworks
don't light themselves"
81 don't know, sir" faltered Frank.
"I am sure l put them away quite
safely"
81 need hardly point out what the re-
suit of this must be" said the doctor,
turning to the boys. This is a most
serious matter for all concerned in it.
AS for Leicester, who is obviously the
leader il is quite impossible that his
name should remain on the books of
this school,"
81 am very sorry" said Frank, tear"
f,,I1,, 10 x.oc oil my fanIt -