Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-06

went and ordered the bell tolled for
old Daddy Dodge. Pretty soon the old
man came along, and wanted to know
who the bell was tolling for. When
he found out he was madden than a
halter, and threatened to sue Pease,
and all manner Of things"
my goodness mew exclaimed Dor
cas-, as she glanced at the next item.
"Just listen to this" and she read:
Last Friday afternoon James Ray
and Mrs. Emeline Riggs were married
at the home of the bride. Rev. T. H..
Aver tied the knot. We extend sin
cere congratulations"
John Larkin smote his knee with a
tremendous blow, leaned back in his
chair and laughed without restraint
"Well, am beat out!'' he said. 81
never expected that would come to
pass, although did my best to help
it along. Once, after James had been
looking across the church at Emeline
all through sermon time for nigh on to
three years, says to him, James,
says 1, the Widow Riggs is just as
nice and pretty woman as goes to
church, but you had better be NOV
ing if you want to get her or somebody
else will get ahead of you
"Well he got red as a beet, and he
opened his lips once or twice, but not
word could he say. Time and again
l have seen him come down the street,
all dressed up in his best clothes, and
he'd go as far as Emeline's gate, and
then be too scared to go in, and turn
round and go home. How do you sup
pose James ever mustered up the cour-
age to pop the question, Dorcas?"
II don't know, I'm sure" said Dor
cas-, but perhaps this next item may
have something to do with it, and she
read:
"a good many people around here
have lost money lately by the collapse
Of the Rocky Mountain Investment
| Company. Moral: Invest your money
nearer home"
That's it! That's itr' exclaimed
| john with a beaming face That's
James Ray all over He knew that
| Emeline had all her money in that
company and when she lost it all and
was likely to suffer, he puts his bash
| fulness into his pocket and steps right
| up and faces the music. Now he's got
him a good wife, and l hope they'll
put him in deacon right away"
| ''There's been fire. said Dorcas.
Fire? Where?''' and John bent for
ward with strained attention while
Dorcas read:
Last Wednesday afternoon about 4
o'clock a fire broke out in the upper
story Of Green's block on Main street.
it was discovered. Fire company No.
2 was promptly on the scene of ac-
ton, and soon had two full streams
ON the blaze from the hydrant in front
Of Alvey's drug store. Company No. 1
connected with the hydrant by the hay
scales, and turned on two more
streams. In half an hour the fire was
under control, and in an hour it was
practically out. Before the first stream
of water was turned on it looked as if
the block would surely go, but the
work Of the fremen was excellent,
with Chief Engineer Dan Bryan in
| charge"
Before Dorcas finished reading about
the fire John had risen from his chair
and was pacing eXcitedly round the
room.
''The boys did we'll, and no mistaken
he cried But all they have to do
nowadays to get head Of water is
just to connect with the hydrants, and
then it staggers two men to hold the
nozzle. 1t was tough work fighting
fire when l was captain of the old
Eagle fire engine.
''Don't you remember Dorcas, when
Barton's block burned on that same
spot one winter night thirty years ago?
Land of Gideon! IT. was cold when
that factory bell begun to dong, dong,
dong, dong! fast as the Waterman
could jerk the rope. The boys turned
out prompt hollering fire and dress
ing themselves on the way to the en-
CINE house. The old Eagle squeaked
and squawked over the snow, but we
dragged her up in front of the mill
in short order
"'Suction hosev says 1, and the boys
sprang to and put it down into the
flume; but big Bill Martin slipped and
fell head foremost into the water. They
pulled him right out by the heels, but
in a second his clothes froze on him
stiff, and all he could do was to tumble
into the boiler room of the mill and
stay there.
Man the brakesr says 1, and in
less than half jiffy thirtysix big men
stood ready for the word.
"'All readyv came shout from the
hosemen.
"'Who's got the nozzle? l says, as
jumped up on the engine.