Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-05-13

1ng up the wavering line of stovepipe.
Miss Molly's pencil dropped from her
.stiffened fingers, and, STOPPING to pick
It up, she spied through crack the
image Of Pouley's placid contemplation
beneath her feet. Drawing the con-
gealed muscles of her face to frown,
she opened her lips to issue a sharp
summons, when out popped Pouley into
the middle of the room, pointing up
ward and shouting:
"Quick! quiclyl The house done
caught afre!"
The smaller children huddled toward
the door. Some of the older ones
scrambled for their books and hats.
Miss Molly stepped swiftly from the
rostrum to Pouley's desk. thence to the
floor
Ordelia, big Hayes, Thad and Lon
stood beside her. Looking up through
the pipehole in the ceiling. they plainly
saw the danger. A length of the stove
pipe had settled. leaving an open space
between it and the next length. Swift
flames were pouring into the pipe, striv-
ing toward the draft of the brick Chin
'ney above; but the wind, breathing un-
der the caves, blew the fiery column
aside so that the hot flames licked the
roof. The curling shingles were al
ready smoking; in moment they
would be aflame. ~
With three bounds Lon was out of the
door. He seized the ak from the wood
pile, dashed back into the room, and
leaped to Miss Molly's desk.
That's the go! Rip her downl Hi,
big Hayes, catch hold!" shouted Thad,
excitedly.
With mighty spring Hayes caught
the board that Lon had pried loose, and
both swinging from it, they peeled it
down, leaving wide opening in the
ceiling overhead.
s'Now, then, up with you and wipe her
Quit" directed Thad, even before their
feet had touched the floor.
Ordelia turned upon him. 'sWipe it
out yourselfl" she flashed.
Thad gave her one surprised look,
then swung up into the loft. "Fling
me something to work With" he shout
Lon jerked off his coat and tossed it
up; then, snatching the bucket from
Miss Molly, he threw the stove door
wide and began TO dash cautious cups
of water upon the kissing fire. Choking
smoke and steam poured into the room,
but the leaping flames died down quick
ly, and the red-hot glow soon began to
fade from the stove and pipe.
"How are you coming on up there?"
coughed big Hayes, trying to peer up
through the smoke.
"All right-I've put it out. Look
away there! I'm coming down."
Thad's cowhide shoes appeared, swing
ing out of the smoky atmosphere. ~
Hold on, therc!' shouted Lon. But
his caution was too late. Down pumped
1had with a jar that shook the house.
The frail stovepipe ratified to the floor.
Thad lost his balance and sprawled upon
thefoor, one of his clumsy legs kicking
out two brick props from the stove.
The end of the stove dropped with
a thud; another moment it's entire fiery
contents would have been belched forth
upon Thad's PROSTATE form had not
Lon caught the stove with his bare
hands without seconds hesitation,
and raised it to level.
Ordelia darted for the scattered bricks
and drove them into place, feeling the
while that hot rim smoking into Ions
hands. and smelling the singing flesh.
When she sprang to her feet she saw
Thad leap to Ions support.
"Lor! What did you do that for?"
he gasped, his lips quivering.
Lon rallied. Didn't promise to get
even with your he shouted. Then he
tainted.
When he came to himself the sullen-
ness that had possessed him for the
past week was no longer in his eyes, aud
he could smile, spite of the smarting
wounds.
Ordelia anointed his blistered hands
with sweet gum salve, and slillfully
wound them in torn handkerehiefs
Hayes picked up the fallen pipe. A
moderate fire was awakened in tha
stove. and the school resumed their
seats.
Contrary to the expectations of the
school. Lon did not sit beside Ordelia
But neither did Thad The two boys,
enemies that morning. sat side by side,
looking over the same book. Thad
flushed and ashamed. Lon pale but tri-
umphant; for had he not returned evil
with good?
Ions coat had been ruined by the fire,
SO Ordelia did not have the pleasure Of
sewing the button on; but this was Of
no consequence. for during a week Of
stubborn resolution Lon had learned to
recite without it,. Youths Companion.