The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1900-08-31

1uI Iclp.
Extending i'm n long line from east
TO west and driven by the fierce wind
came ribbon OF fire that ate UP the
dry prairie grass and was bounding
forward as if rejoicing in lts freedom.
it was mue away-was there time
10 escape?
To the barn and sheds she ran, call
ing Rob. Tad, Link
Not voice answered. Whd in her
terror. She returned to the house,
seized q few kecpsakcs and again
went out Of doors. Where could the
boys bc?
The granarv. To it she hurried and
her cry rang through the building:
"Oh. Rob. Tad. Link"
Slccpily Link answered from his
bed ON the wool sacks, "What you
want?"
I'm ar instant his mother was by his
side, almost carrying him 10 the open
air
"Whcrc-whcre arc the boys?"
"Sailin' III White Dove"
Link was almost afraid 70 tell lest
lie should lose his promised ride. but
The look i'm lis mothers face decided
him.
"Whcre-what do you mcan?"
He pointed toward the north. She
could see two small forms standing on
the low car, struggling with a flap.
ping cloth, evidently too large for
their strength.
Come and half dragging the roly-
poly Link. she raced over the pain
toward the track. The fire line had
swung in an irregular course. and
while il skirted the bluffs in one d.
rcction and was dying out i'm the short
grass of the hills behind which the men
were working it blazed more fcrcely
than ever to the southeast and east.
She could not find safety in any di-
roctiou but 10 the north. Behind the
frightened mother the flames lcaped
g.ccfully.
Rob and Tad. toiling with the m-
wic,dy sail had not noticed the fire,
nor did they see their mother until
She was by their side. Then they start
cd guilty.
I'VE amt hurtin' any" began Rob.
but hc glanced at his mother face, and
all thought Of excuses vanished.
Come, boys run" she gaspcd look
ing along the track, wondering if the
marrow stretch OF fresh earth would
save them.
She made a start for the ties. still
holding TO Links hand, while Rob
spoke: Lets get on the car - and
you help US"
and sail it," added Tad.
il was a new idea, but the quickcned /
wits OF the woman grasped it. Lit
ING little Link TO the splinter-coycred /
platform of the car she helped Rob /
with the sail, while Tad clambered /
aboard.
With her assistance the heavy cross I
piece and its burden of bagging was f.
hoistcd Then each held lower cor /
ncr of the cloth, while with the hot /
wind, heated more intensely by the /
blaze n few rods away, filed and bulgcd /
and strained.
Rob slid TO the ground and pushed /
the car until 10 was under way. Then /
to his scat. Gloryl The wind was
CARRYING them faster-faster-faster!
Following a slough. the fire had run
ahead I'm places. and now blazed on .
both sides OF the track a mile ahead.
With pace increasing and with the
rafting wheels drowning all attempts
at talking they approached the fiery
trail. Mrs Maneold hid Links curly
head i'm her dress and threw her apron
over her own. But Rob and Tad braved
IL through Ike soldiers, scorning pro-
lection.
For an instant smoke blinded them.
littlcdartsofGamc were here and there,
The sail was in danger. Rob and Tad
lost courage and bowed their faces
close 10 their knees; then they rushed
3ut into the clear air again. and the
Gre was behind - one tall pillar of
smoke far away telling of their cabin
homes destruction.
Swifcr and swifter whirled the
wheels Of the little car tighter clung
.hc mother to Links chubby form.
Mrs. Mangold's hair streamed loose in
the wind. The sail rounded beauti-
'ullv and they were pushed forward
If n rate that would have been delight
indcr different circumstances. and
wen then gave Rob and Tad a thrill Of
pleasure
Ten miles away was the village Of
Manchester.
As they passed the little depot the
lqcnt came out and waved his hands /
'ranticaly. Peering under the sail in
'front.' of the car, sure enough they
.ould see danger-the daily train from
he north was coming,
Rob looked at his mother. She shout I
d one word: Jump"
Rob and Tad tumbled off on the
rcsh earth on one side, while the
clasping Link. went off the 9TH
=. none being much hurt.
The car plunged forward with little
lackcncd speed. In vain the engineer
ricd TO stop and get away from the
Iucer-looling thing bearing down upon
Jim.
A clank. a crash. n cracking Of tim
ers. and the "White Dove" lay partly
n the ditch, partly impaled on the en-
ines front. Its cruise was oyer.-Chi-
ago Daily Record.
An Economical Wife.
Wifn-EnrI we omrhf not 10 sDend !