The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-08-01
The distant rumble of thunder at

'idSlSu tuciI dllSullOu. IL SOOn De
came nearer, necessitating their re
moval indoors, where the approach
ing storm was watched from the win
dow. The play of the angry clouds
the obscuring of the face of the ful
moon, with the coptortions of tn
huge trees on the lawn by th
wind, were surely a magnifcen
demonstration of the power of th
great storm king which Mr.. Richard
had seldom witnessed before. Sooi
the rain fell in torrents the roar be
came terrific. A vivid flash of light
ming, followed by crashing peal O
thunder, after which deathlike still
ness reigned throughout the room
Every occupant was stunned by the
awful bolt of destruction.
Mr.. Richards was the first to revive
| from the stupor the shock had thrown
them into. He hastened out on the
porch followed by Lotta, with white
troubled face.
''Is the house struck 7" she asked,
unsteadily.
"No. but somewhere close" re-
piled Mr.. Richards.
The odor of burning hay with a
fash of the flames revealed that it
was the barrack on fire, which was
very near indeed.
"Call your father, Miss Lotta. It
is so near that in this wind, if we
don't fight it the house is doomed"
She silently obeyed him. Farmer
Martyr was quickly on the scene.
The rain had about ceased. The
burning embers were falling directly
over the house.
"Come, all of you, to the pump.
We must fight it, said the old farmer.
Miss Lotta, bring me light tin
pail. The only chance is to climb on
the roof and pull water up with
rope from each end"
II will go up on the other side,"
said Frank Shaw.
A ladder was put against the end
of the house and they were soon on
the roof which was smoking in sever
al places. Water was quickly poured
on the places that had caught. For
over two hours Harry Richards and
Frank Shaw stayed on the roof. At
last the wind lowered and they dared
to rest minute.
Mr.. Martyr called, "Come down,
boys. You have saved my old home
where l was born and all my chill
dren. God bless you. The gals and
I could never have put the fire out"
AS they came down he grasped
their hands heartily.
Harry Richards was so exhauted
he fell over when the old farmer let
go his hand. They almost carried
him in the house, and good Mother
Martyr brought him a glass of grape
juice, which soon revived him.
At4A. NJ, after partaking of strong
took their leave. But Harry often
found his way back while he was
in the country for his health, and
after he returned to the city he still
continued to come. The family al
ways gave him warm welcome, and
Lotta's sweet face grew brighter at
his arrival.
K X X X
A year later. A cosy new home
in the city. A dainty June bridej just
home from her wedding jaunt, busy
unpacking and arranging her bridal
presents. When she hears Harry's
latch key turn in the front door lock
Lotta runs hastily out in the front
hall to greet him. AS she drew him
into the library to admire the effect
of her work she notices he carries
what looks like a pail wrapped in
brown paper.
"Harry, dear, what have you
there?"
"May carry your pail now, dar-
ling?" he asks as he shows her tin
pail similar to the one she had carried
the morning he first saw her when
she told him Harry would carry the
pail"
"Well, as I am your other half, I
guess you may, "she answered archly.
"You little thought my name was
Harry, did you ~
"Nc," she answers with laugh.
II will paint bunch of forget-me-
nots on your pail, and we will keep
it as a reminder of the past"