St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-06-09

on IN a strong brigade Tor action a
the front. Then. throwing the care.
of butter-making aside, she short
ened her skirts, tied on sun-bonne'
and followed in the wake.
A wild sight lit was that greeted
the eyes of many onlookers as the sur
rose upon clear and yellow sky will
promise of another day of brazen heat
From three distinct points ascendet
dense columns of smoke already lurit
with fame. Wherever the gaze turned
there destruction was advancing with
giant strides.
The hillside was now swept bare;
but the fire, having reached densel
growth, crept insidiousiy on, defyine
| all efforts to extinguish it. The fame.
had already leapt over the road which
pinewoods. The tall trees were in tn.
grip of the fiery foe.
So hot was it that the gentlesl
breath of air famed it to fresh flame
The heavens became hidden by the
thick pail which hung overhead. while
beyond and on every side destruction
ragged Still. men battled with it brave
ly. Exhausted often with the immense
eXertion at fearful heat. they threw
themselves down at full length te
rest for a moment and to regain
fresh nerve for the struggle.
Joan West and one or two other
women worked in the rear, beating
out such struggling fires as threat.
ened to revive their energy. but still
as the morning wore on, the outlook
appeared as hopeless as ever.
In one glade the fiery forces seemed
to have concentrated. Down in its
murky depths it was possible to dis
tinguish several of the figures looking
like the genii of the fire, as they
moved hither and thither in the very
midst. Among them Joan thought
she deserted the well-known form OF
Will Larkins. and so sure did she
become of the identity Of that sturdy
figure. swaying mighty bough in
his strong arms. as he beat and beat
at the obstinate flames, that she was
impelled to descend and follow.
If Will should see her. he might bid
her roughly to go back: but she would
chance that. She must follow!
Not far from him the girl distin-
guished another form which she
thought she knew-that of disrep-
utable charcoal burner. and he
seemed to be approaching Will. That
he bore her lover a grudge Joan knew.
for he had been caught poaching on
several occasions, and the gamekeep-
er had threatened to "have him
up"
Above the roaring of the fire came
the sound of their voices in hot dispute.
and Joan hurried over the smoking soil.
Neither of the men had yet perceived
her. for their faces were to the oppo-
site slope.
Suddenly she saw the older man aim
quick and heavy blow with the thick
stick he carried right over Willis head
1t came with such crushing force that
the hand it struck was constrained tc
drop the bough. Will staggered back.
and Joan. uttering cry of pain and
anger, as though she herself had felt
the force of the blow. hurled her bough
at the cowardly assailant. and darting
forward, threw her arms about her low
er as though to protect him from fur
ther attack.
20. Will, she sobbed. "are you hurt"
At first he seemed inclined to shake
her off.
go home. grill" he cried. hoarsely
But look into her tender eyes. stream
ing with tears. and the wall of separa-
tion between them crumbled to moth
ing.
The charcoal burner cast curious
glance at the pair. and then. with a
muttered curse. skunk off and disap-
peared among the smoking trees.
"HOw come you here. Joan?" asked
Win.
..Why. I've been beating out the fire
along with the rest. most ever since
three this mornin'." she replied, be.
tween laughter and tears.
They looked at each other. He was
black. hot, grimy; nor had her pretty
face escaped. Nevertheless. their lips
met in close kiss. They had owed
each other that kiss for q fortnight at
the least.
''I've been brute to you. Joan, con-
fessed the man.
''l've been a fool. know" admitted
the girl.
Life amt long enough for quarrels."
said he.
We've lost fortnight's happiness"
she replied.
"fll have to go home" said Will
presently. with a weary sigh. Il can
BEAT no more: l believe my thumb is
broke"
%. poor Will" cried Joan. taking
he MANNED hand in both her own.
Come, mother will bind it np."
They turned their back on the fire
md left it TO take its course.
There's fuel beyond there in plenty.
tut twill burn itself out in time" said
Nin, nodding backwards in the direc-
ion from which they had come.
And so If did. BY Sunday the flames
we're all extinguished and heaven
ent rain fell gently. cooling the heat
d. blackened soil.
Will and Joan walked 10 church to-
!ether. choosing the road which orcr-
ooked the devastated woods. Naught
hat had been green remained. except
n small, eccentric patches. The lofty
lines reared their grim heads. with
haired trunks and scorched branches. |
There was no song of bird. not chirp |
n twitter in this region Of widespread
And yet the very next spring would |
zee the tender shoots of green pricking |
Up through the dead litter. life renew
ng itself and covering the bare ground.
green fronds erect like so many fairy |
,roziers. and many colored MOSES hid |
ng all this unsightliness beneath q
ovely mantle. The wood pigeons re-
,uild in the old frs that survive. and
he house martins shelter under the
,aves where Joan and Will mate
sketch.
Great Aftesian Well In Paris,
The most famous artesian well in |
=