Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-11-26
from a 3,
Belle
Spark "'' ''
Copyright. 1904. by Belle Maniates


summer day Il huntsman trod through
the thickly grown brush that borlcred
the country road. Once or twice he
stopped and looked about in apprecia-
ton of the day ana the beauty of the
country. Then he lighted II cigar. toss
ing the match aside before il WAS eX-
tinguishe,l. by the time he had van
islcd from view the half spent match
had accomplished rivulc1 of fire that
ran merrily through the brush which
skirted the woods.
Mabel Wallace. coming down the old
sawmill road. saw the cracking fire
and FASTENED her pace. She noted the
quickening breeze blowing toward the
woods ami the stretch of dry. parched
grass and brush that interviewed. She
knew that if the flames We're not eXtin-
gushed at once the whole piece of
woods would 20. She caught up stout
stick as she ran. and when she reached
the farther end Of the running fire she
began u vigorous beating.
Say. teacher. I'll help you" squeaked
a piping voice, which she recognized as
belonging To the boy in the First Read
er class. next To the foot.
Johnny. run down to the first white
house beyond the woods and tell them
to send help. They have Il telephone
Ask them To notify all the neighbors."
she directed between beats.
Johnny was reluctant d leave bon
fire of such proportions az this was as
suming but he detected the teacher"
in her tones and concluded to obey.
That's the stuff she next heard
and looked up to meet the approval of
the farmer ut whose house she boarded
He procured stick and made an eff
fective onslaught upon the flames.
Presently they were REINFORCED by Il
passerby. and after time the fire was
extinguishel.
You best 20 home and rest a spell"
counscled her landlord. You look all
bet up and tuckered out"
1T was pretty warm work." she ac-
knowlcdged. arranging her hair, which
the breeze and her exertions had tum-
bled about her face.
well. tell you what. you just
saved them woods. all right. The OWN
er ought Ia make you n nice present"
Mabel laughed.
who is the owner?" she asked care
lessly
Ills name is Max Thornton. He's
young city swell. | heard say
She had inserted the last hairpin
and now started for home with burned
face and blistered hands.
Meanwhile Johnny, returning from
the white house. heard a shot ring out
In the woods.
I'll git him to come and help teach
err" he thought as he scurried through
the cool woods after the man behind
the gun.
Say. the woods is pretty near on
fire. It's mos creep up on EN-"
The man laughed good naturally.
do you think | am In any danger?'
"The woods is. Teacher sent me for
help. She is beating it out with a
stick"
"All right! Come along" And the
man made for the road in long strides.
the boy keeping pace by quick trot.
explaining with many Celebrations the
particulars of the fire.
My. Teacher was jest more than
layin' on TO II with a stick. l never
s'posed she could hit out like THAR.
Hasn't she laid II on to you yet?'
laughed the hunter
Nav. She amt teched one on us
yit. bet the boys would behave If
they'd seen her beat that fire.
The hunter was occupied for mo-
ment with conjuring the image Of
teacher hittin the fire"
Say. young man, has your teache.
got red hair. and does she wear
glasses:"
"Yes. How did yer know" he ask
ed curiously
81 just felt it,"
When the hunter came up to the
men. he said to the farmer.
II came To help put out fire. but
see you have done good work." gazing
ut the blackened ground.
I'VE only got here to the tail end Of
It," explained the farmer THE school
teacher got here first. and she fit il like
tiger. Guess some OF you hunters
set il on fire"
The hunter laughed and walked on.
remembering the match. but he felt
no computations. "A man has the
right To set fire to his own if he wants
to-" he thought Suppose it would
he only decent I'm me to go and thank
the schoolma'am Wonder how | can
make her a substantial token of graft
tude without offense"
Here. boy" he turned and called to
Johnny. who fingered near the ruins.
''Do you want to earn a quarter"
"You bet yer boOts"'
Then take me to your teacher. IL il
not too far"
ITS jest down the next road ways,
and mebby she's stopped in Mt the
schOolus down the lane"
ION Saturday, he asked skep-
tically
"vas She writes her letters there:''
They relapsed into silence. Johnny
making plans for the investment of
his quarter and the man absorbed in
thoughts of n hitter cynical trend