The record-union., 1897-09-29

tainted. L threw neT across my SiGOuiu-
er and started for the rear of the
house, because l knew that was my
only salvation. The whole stairway
was ablaze by that time, and flames
We're creeping up through the floor.
I closed my lips tightly and in about
four leaps I reached a back window.
Outside there was a big tree, almost
brushing the window I kicked out the
window sash and simply jumped into
the tree. 1t was the only thing to be
done. Luckily, 1 got my arm over
limb which sagged with US and drop
ped US TO the ground. I scrambled to
my feet and ran, with the girl still
hanging absolutely limp and helpless
over my shoulder. I went straight TO
the river with the intention of jump
ing in. The heat was something dead
ly. It had driven away the men who
had teen filling their buckets at the
river.
Just as I staggered down the river
bank J saw a skiff. Some one had
probably rowed across the river to
the file, for the boat was not fastened.
1 dropped the girl into the boat and
gave it a strong push out into the cur
rent, and in a few seconds we were
floating down stream and We're safe" +"
she had the canary, 1 suppose?"
said the lightning dentist
'Oh, yes. She was in a dead faint,
but size hadn't let go of the cage. AS
soon IS 1 recovered my breath and wet
my clothes in two or three places where
they were on fire I splashed water in
the girls face, and she recovered con-
cr ions H4.4 cl,o Ar1ffQ sG1
and excited that she didn't know
where she was or remember what had
happcLed.
We could look up the rnver and see
the burning house. 1t made a huge
blaze and threw a bright glare across
the river I remember the peculiar eff
feet of this glare on the windows of
the houses across the river. 1t caused
them to glow as if the houses We're filled
with live flames The Girl was so
frightened that she thought all the
houses We're afire.
When 1 got ready to row back I
discovered that l hadn't any oars. The
current was swift and we were drifting
rapidly so I pulled out a seat board and
used it as a rudder, and in a few minutes
I made a landing near a house occupied
by a Mr.. Wesley. Miss Jaynes was still
SO weak and nervous that she could
hardly walk, but I assisted her to this
house and aroused the inmates. They
would hardly believe my story at first,
but they could see the burning house up
the river, and they recognized Miss
Jaynes as soon as the lights were
brought
THE woman of the house was very
kind. She cared for the young lady ten
derly for about two hours and had one
of the boys drive US back to Crosby
vile. Now, in the general excitement
we had forgotten that the people in
CrosbyVille had no reason to believe that
We had escaped from the burning house.
Miss Jaynes said several times, I sup
pose father is wondering where I am,
but she had no idea that he and all the
others were convinced that we had per-
ished in the flames. However. you
couldn't blame them for thinking so.
The window from which I had leaped
was well hidden by trees, and there was
no one at the river bank when we leaped
into the boat We learned afterward
that the men had pulled down the burn
ing veranda and had planted ladder at
seen, but the blaze was so fierce that
they had been driven back.
Everyone supposed, of course, that
we were lost; so you can imagine what
happened when we drove UP in front of
the ruins about { o'clock in the morning.
They were already searching for our
bodies Yes, sir; they thought we were
ghosts. As soon as I explained to them
how we got away you never heard such
cheering in your life. They lifted Miss
Jaynes out of the wagon and took her
over to a neighboring house, to which
the Captain had been taken He had
been almost wild with grief. Those who
went over to the house say it was one of
the most affecting meetings that could
be imagined. First he wept like baby
and then he jumped up and laughed like
a boy and said he didn't care for the
loss Of his buildings so long as his
daughter was safe. l suppose his daugh-
ter must have given him a very favor
able account of my efforts in her behalf
for presently he came out of the house
and walked up to where I was stand
ing and said: Mr.. Horne, you have done
me the greatest service that one man
can do another. All that I have is at
your command now and forever. I once
did you an injustice. You have repaid
me- Will you take the hand of a man
who honestly admits himself beaten
and humiliated?' I said to him: Cap
tain you are a brave and gallant man,
but you were mistaken for once. Let US
say no more about misunder standings Of
the past. We shook hands, and from
that day forward we were friends. He
was a man of passions and prejudices,
but if he came to know you and like you
he was the truest friend a man ever had.
There's only one thing needed to
make that a good story" suggested the
dentist. You ought to say that you
married the Captains daughter"
Il am not going to sacrifice truth in
order to make fancy romance" replied
Doc. Chicago Record.
Ancient and Modern Slang.
1, 4