Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-04-29

MtcEaGl had always Wlsied TO peE a.
f,eman and had accepted more pro-
sale occupation only until he saw his
way clear to take the civil service
examination for fireman's place.
Now that Rhoda lad refused him the
uneventful routine of a letter-carriers
life was more than ever distasteful to
him. He wanted some excitement to
take his mind off his trouble. SO he
buckled down to the preliminary prep
Grafton for the examination
with vigor. He came through
the test with flying colors and
the day when he donned the blue uni
Iorm of an engine driver was one of the
proudest moments Of his life. Rhoda
learned of his Few employment with
out any comment. Often after that,
when the gong rang in engine 24s
quarters, striking cut the signal which
meant fire in the home district. she
looked up from her ironing in time to
see Michael guide the three splendid
bays around the corner. AS the heavy
engine rumbled past, Michael shot a
quick glance in her direction and nod
ded, then gathered up the reins, while
he devoted his entire attention to max
ing the turn without accident. He
soon became one Of the most skillful
drivers in the department.
The city long remembered that fate
full Saturday afternoon when the peace
Of an unusually dull day was broken
by an alarm calling the firemen to
fierce blaze in downtown Office build
ing. The newspaper reporters in the
busy hives on Mulberry street counted
the strokes, and when the first alarm
was followed in quick succession by
a second, third and fourth, seized their
coats to rush to the fray. They knew
the seriousness of it all. So did the
watchful operators in police head
quarters over the way. Soon they
were busy sending in telephone mes
sages to half a dozen precincts to or
der out the reserves that the scene Of
the fire might be properly policed.
Engine "a went out on the first alarm
The last stroke of the gong was still
echoing behind him as Michael Sc
curely strapped in his seat, bent low
over the horses, urging them to their
best speed. How they did fly through
the crowded streets! Through all the
hustle and turmoil, the tangle of carts
and cars, Michael steered them safely,
cool and vigilant. Turning out of a
narrow side street into Broadway the
extent of the fire burst full on him.
Twenty-four engine was the first on
the spot, but already clouds of smoke
we're billowing from the upper floors.
either sid :, the building was flank
by lean sky-scrapers, which were
inS imminent danger. AS Michael
spra, 6 from his seat he saw this and
then, in one Of the upper windows,
something else which made his heart
leap into his threat. Now hidden by
the swirling and ever thickening
smoke, now revealed as the wind car
ried the cloud away, Michael made out
the agonized features of a man plain
ly bewildered by his peril. The flames
licked the llntels of the floor below
and stretched out hungrily toward
him. The danger grew momentarily
more grave If he was to be saved it
must be at once. Michael took in the
situation at a glance. Then he ran
into the building. He took the stair
ways to the third floor three steps at
time, but there his further progress
was barred. The air was suffocating.
He groped blindly through it for the
stairway to the fourth floor. 1t was
like twilight in the hall, although it
lacked still sometime of sunset. Over
head he heard family the crackle Of
burning wood and the far-off roar Of
the flames. To advance was impossi-