Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-30

Tue ulfC OIL Ills TOuuu CheehS, uut Nc
was loyal to the adventurers. who had
told him that he would be in the way
ut the launching, but might go some
other time. He crawled among the
plows and binders to the remainder of
the pile of sacks and sobbed himself
to sleep.
1t was one of those "hot-wind'' days
known only on the prairies. Like fur
mace breaths the air came out OF the
southwest. curling the blades OF corn
and whiting the morning-glOry vines
that sheltered the cabin windows. 1t
was the second day of the "hot-wind"
There will be one more and then
rain," said the farmers.
But at the Mangold cabin there was
something besides the wind or pos
sible crop failure to alarm the tired
mother. Mrs. MangOld looked out OF
the window several times, marking
the closeness of the atmosphere, but
she saw nothing in the hazy sky to
frighten her. At mid-afternOOn she be-
came more uneasy and went out of
doors to the south side of the house.
For an instant it seemed that all
her strength would leave her; her face
paled and she gave Il despairing cry
for help
Extending in long line east to
west and driven by the fierce wind
came II ribbon of fire that ate up the
dry prairie grass and was bounding
forward as if rejoicing in it's freedom.
1t was mile away-was there time
to escape?
TO the barn and sheds she ran, call
ing ''Rob. Tad! Link"
Not voice answered. Wild in her
terror, she returned to the house.
seized few keepsakes and again
went out of doors. Where could the
boys be?
The granary. TO it she hurried and
her cry rang through the building:
"Oh. Rob! Tad. Link"
, Sleepily. Link answered from his
bed on the wool sacks, what do you
want?"
In an instant his mother was by his
side, almost carrying him to the open
air.
"Where-where are the boys?'
"Sallin' TIL White Dove.
Link was almost afraid to tell lest
he should lose his promised ride. but
the look in his mothers face decided
him.
''Where-what do you mean?"
He pointed to the north. She could
see two small forms standing on the
low car. struggling with tapping
cloth, evidently too large for their
strength.
Come" and half dragging the roly-
poly Link she raced over the plain
toward the track. The fire line had
swung in an irregular curve, and,
while it skirted the bluffs in one di-
rection and was dying out in the
short grass of the hills behind which
the men were working. it blazed'more
fiercely than ever to the southeast and
east. She could not find safety in any
direction but to the north. Behind
the frightened mother the flames
leaped gleefully.
Rob and Tad toiling with the I'M
wieldy said. had not noticed the fire.
nor did they see their mother until
she was by their side. Then they
started guiltily.
I'VE amt hurtin' any-'began Rob
but he glanced at his mothers face
and all thought of excuses vanished
"Come. boys, rum" she gasped. look
ing along the track. wondering if the
n or Oh, of rf
save them.
She made start over the ties, still
holding to Links hand. when Rob
spoke: Lets get on the car-and you
help us"
And sail it." added Tad.
1t was a new idea, but the quickened
wits of the woman gasped it. Lift
ing little Link to the splinter-covered
platform of the car. she helped Rob
with the sail while Tad clambered
aboard.
With her assistance the heavy cross
piece and its burden of bagging was
hoisted. Then each held lower cor
ncr of the cloth. while with the hot
wind. heated more intensely by the
blaze few rods away, 1t filled and
bulged and strained.
Rob slid to the ground and pushed
the car until 1t was under way. Then
to his seat Glory. The wind was
carrying them r-faster-faster.
Following a slough. the fire had run
ahead in places and now blazed Oh
both sides of the track mile ahead
With pace increasing and with the
rafting wheels drowning all attempts
nj talking. they approached the fiery
trial. Mrs. Mangold hid Links curly
head in her dress and threw her apron
over her own. But Rob and Tad
brayed it through like soldiers. scorn-
ing protection.
For an instant smoke blinded them.
little darts az as.pe were here and
there. the sal vas m danger, Rob and
Tad lost coDrage and bowed their
faces to tLfir knees; then they rushed
out into Iie clear air again. ana the