The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-09-29
"a FRENCH VILLAGE FIRE.
The Pompiers Fight the Blake IN
Melodramatic style-Rivalry
Among the Firemen. @.@

The Pompier. Fight the BLAKE In
Melodramatic style-Rivalry
Among the Firemen.
II IS q strange spectacle. One is
continually surprised that there
are fires, but that they are. extin-
guished, despite the zeal of the rural
hremen. It is necessary that his
majesty the fire be good prince not
to take advantage of the stupidity of
men. - -:.-0
The village where live is quite
small-about 80 houses. It is situated
midway between two larger towns.
One evening of this week, near nine
O'Clock, the roll of a drum was sud-
denly heard-a tangle of sound from
an instrument of brass extraordinarily
out OF tune. We were informed by it
that there was fire. In such case
IN an isolated hamlet each ought to
help his neighbor; and, in fact, all the
able-bodied inhabitants of the place
fastened toward the structure in
tames-a carriage house with ground
floor and forage lofts. Five hundred
men were soon gathered there.
Among them retired officer, man
OF cool head and authority, known to
everybody, became naturally the chief.
MY village possesses fire engine, but
this engine has no suction hose. It
must be filled with buckets. Several
basins were in the vicinity. The COM
mander chose one and disposed us
rapidly in two files, one for the full
buckets and one for the empty, and,
the double chain thus formed, the en-
glne began its regular functions. This
continued about half an hour. Orders
were executed promptly and silently;
the work was marvellous and the fire
grew feeble.
All at once from one side came
great noise of horses at gallop and
roll of rushing wheels; and almost i'm
medlately the same fracas resounded
from the other side. 1t was the en-
gines from the two neighboring towns.
they arrived, carrying their equip
ment of firemen. It was sublime.
There were the heroic grocers, the i'm
portant butchers and the majestic
bakers. They had retained their ordi-
nary costumes. But they wore the
casque IA gorgeous, .glittering, orna-
mented helmet, worn alike by the fire
men OF London, Paris and Rome). And
under this martial headpiece they
were OF ferocious visage and of noble
attitude. They recognized the
grandeur of their mission. Twill never
forget the imperious figure, the terri
bic eyes and the frowning brows of
the butcher who drove the first vehicle.
No Roman consul on the car of tri-
umph drawn by four white horses was
more sculptural than this honorable
tradesman. And his peers yielded him
nothing. Their heroism absorbed
them to such point that they seemed
blind and deaf. At once they threw
their teams int to the midst of the chain.
which was broken up. In their tumult-
uous unloading we were dispersed.
Ihey ran here and there, demanding
with great cries where the water was,
but not listening to the responses.
When they had finally comprehended
that several basins existed a memoir
able question arose. These would use
one reservoir-those wished to use the
other. Some insults were EXCHANGED
|-menacing pantomimes were per-
ceived. Our commander tried to es-
tablish order and to reconstitute his
chain of buckets. But the newcomers
would not recognize him and had no
reason to obey him. He did not wear
even a casque. Could anybody talk to
them of chain when they had hose?
For they had some hose. The gen
darmes came in from various direc-
tons. They begged one group after
another to go away, but as the fremen
were of equal rank they persisted in
their Gisaccord. Numerous curious
people fastened up; there were now
several hundred there. All of them
offered counsel, spouted, howled,
swore, were angry, and hustled each
other. 1t was the second act of
"Maitres Chanteurs."
Meanwhile the fire, which had been
nearly put out, peaceably resumed
business; the flames had reappeared
and rose into the night. The whole
stable burned. A good hour had
slipped by in this manner. Then lit
tie by little calm was restored and
men ceased to insult each other. Good
feeling was restored. They under
stood themselves. Half an hour later
and they were able to act. The hose,
the precious hose, was placed. And
they commenced to vanquish the fire.
But good part of the building was
in ashes which might have yet re-
manned intact but for the benevolent
meeting of firemen of the neighboring
country.
This history is not exceptional. In
most country fires the thing is the
same.-Paris Journal DIES Debats.
Some Queer Finger Rings.
Rings have been made for almost all
purposes. Thus we find cramp rings,
said not only to cure cramp. but to
prevent its return; amulet rings, in
fallible protectors against the "evil
eye;' astronomical dial and zodiacal
rings; garter rings and puzzle rings;
rings for novitiates taking the veil
these are usually of gold set with
sapphire; rings for diplomats signal
izing the official standing of the wear
er; rings for poets, pilgrims, lawyers
and clerics; squirt and poison rings
made so that they could contain veg
eta BILE pOisons of the most de div kind