The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-05-18

not. ne WAS III inc yaru lltIl6
while ago. He couldn't have crossed
the parade grounds without our seeing
him. He must have gone into the
woods" And at this she burst into
tears.
The captain, somewhat alarmed,
hurriedly gave her word of comfort
and passing through the hall went out
into the back yard, [ following. The
woods were so hazy with smoke that
we could see but short distance, aud
the cries of frightened birds and small
creatures constantly deceived us and
decoyed us hither and thither to no
purpose. Then as we stood for min
ute rubbing our inAamed eyes and
getting our breath, for the ascent was
steep. we heard an ominous sound
from atar off; ripping, tearing noise,
like water forcing itself through the
nozzle of a hose, ending in dull, muf'
fed crash.
"What is it?" 1 said, staring at the
captains face, which had grown pale.
"A tree has fallen," he replied.
And then exclaimed: "We're losing
time; 1 must get the men out" And
turning back he ran down the hillside.
By the time 1 reached the house i
heard bis voice shouting hoarsely on
the parade ground, and moment af-
ter the notes of the bugle rang out,
sounding the assembly.
As passed through the back yard
I stopped for moment at the hydrant
to dash some water into my smarting
eyes. There was tub under the fau-
Get, half full Of the overflow, and /
was just leaning over this, scooping
the water up in my hands, when l was
suddenly thrust aside SO violently az
to almost lose my balance.
Recovering myself Indignantly, /
recognized the Indian woman, Judy.
She had blanket in her hands, and
with desperate energy she was
sousing it in the water Her face was
wonderful to see. She looked like
one about to do battle to the death. /
had but glimpse of her when she was
off and up the hill, her head down and
partially covered with the blanket,
running aud leaping from stone to
stone like hound on the scent. She
did not stop to look or listen, but
sped on till in moment she was lost
to sight.
Then heard the quick tramp of
the infantry company coming across
the parade ground at double time, and
as it reached the edge of the woods, it
deployed as skirmishers and advanced
into the smoke, but as l toiled up the
hill once more by the side of the agon-
lied father, painting and with the
sweat running down my face, I knew
where the only hope of the child's sal
vation lay.
We had not penetrated far, though
it seemed a great distance, when
among the smokewreathed trees in
front of us appeared spectral thing.
A tall figure, but whether man or
woman it was hard to say, for its gar
ments hung in smoldering rags about
its limbs, while its face was buried in
bundle that its sinewy, blackened
arms hugged tightly to its breast.
"It's Judyw cried. "Its judy
She's got the boy"
A great shout went up from the men
. in hearing, and was repeated down
the line. And at the sound the poor,
scorched, blinded creature sank slow.
, ly to her knees and then fell prone
upon the earth In an instant dozen
strong hands were lifting her up and,
!, while the captain relieved her of the
boy, the rest Of us carried her as gent.
! ly as might be down the hill to the
) house.
! The child was unconscious from
! smoke and fright, but the doctor soon
revived him and pronounced him in
no danger from his adventure. But
, when he examined poor Judy's in
: juries he slowly shook his head. All
= that he could do was to make her as
|, free from pain as possible till the end
came. She knew she was dying, and
we could see how she suffered, but
: she endured the ordeal with marvellous
: patience and dignity. At the very
last she said, with her quaint Irish
. accent: "Cap'en, 1 been dacent
9 Christian woman for nigh on two
year. When 1 die will 1 go tC
heaven?"
"Yes, judy" said the captain.
: "Well, see here, cap'n," she said
. "I been thinking bout thot, an
> kind O. changed my mind. You see
: l amt sure my husband and baby'l
be in Christian heaven, cause they
don't know bout it, an I don't wan
to take no chances, dye mind. So
" " guess I'll make sure an go wherivel
they are. You can fix it for me
cap'n, can't you?" she added rather
!. anxiously.
. Judy" said the captain, in voice
full of emotion, you've always beer
= an honest, faithful woman, and you've
|. just given your life to save that of {
little child, 1 am sure that God viii
y be good to you. Only ask Him fol
. . what you want. "
e "Well, said Judy, call want is II
= go where Tuosilt and Inotlin are
= - that's all. But if 1 got to ask God
T maybe I'd better say thot prayer HI
. likes. Dye think so, cap'n."
y "Yes," said the captain, covering
- his eyes with his hand.
- And as she began, in failing voice
. . "Our Father, who art in heaven
y y ballowed be thy name," we all rev
: erently kneeled and joined in tn
V petition. And when we said the fina
- = "Amen," the captain, who had bee
= = holding the poor creatures hand