The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-07-15


spot one winter night thirty years agof
Land of Gideon 1t was cold when
that factory bell begun to dong. dong,
dong, dongl 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 hoser says 1, and the boys
sprang to and put it down into the
f1ume; 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 brakesp says 1, and In
less than half a jiffy thirty big men
stood ready for the word
"'All readyp came shout from the
hosemen.
"'Who's got the nozzle7' 1 says, as
l jumped up on the engine.
"'Jim Ray and your boy Ezra says
old Enoch Marsh, out of his frozen
beard
"Just at that instant there came an
explosion. The fiat roof of the build
ing heaved up, and the black smoke
and fire poured out. My heart gave
terrible jump. Inside l said: Lord,
take care of the boysv but L sung out
with all vengeance:
LET her have 1t, boys! Nowv
"Down went the brakes, and the
good old Eagle turned up clear and
strong-ca- bunk, ca-bunk, ca-bunk, ca
bunk!-and l tell you it was music to
me when the water began to splutter
from the nozzle and swish into the fire.
We couldn't save the block, but by
working hard all night we kept the fire
from spreading and saved the village"
"Well, john" said Dorcas, in mild
reproof, 81 don't think you need to
make so much noise and go through
all the motions. Folks will think
there's a lot of children in here, instead
| of an old man of seventy-five."
"Oh, well, Dorcas, l guess there's
no harm DONE" said John, somewhat
| abashed. at sort of stirs me up when
1 get to talking about old times, but
hereafter / will endeavor to keep the
peace. Why don't you read on?' he
asked, after pause.
"Why-a-" Dorcas began, slowly,
this next item is partly about you
and me-" and she read:
Last evening, at a special meeting
of the church, James Ray was unani-
mously elected deacon, to fill the va
cancy caused by the removal of Dea-
con John Larkin. The following min
ute was also adopted:
1--WE desire to express our high APP
probation of the long and faithful
service rendered to this church by Dea-
con John Larlxin and his wife. We
miss their wise counsel and their will-
ing service, but we hold them in low
ing remembrance in all our hearts,"
John shifted suspiciously, and felt
for his handkerchief, which he could
not find "They don't forget us up
there in the old church, do they, Dor
cas?" he said 81 want you should be
sure and cut that piece out, so that
we can keep it, and I'm going to get
Ezra to write for an extra copy to send
out West to Brother Nathan's folks
I'm real glad they put James In dea
con, and / shouldn't wonder mite II
the women put in Emeline to head the
Home Benevolent Society, should you
Why, Dorcas," said the old man, ten
3 derby, what are you crying about?"
Dorcas handed him the Tribune an,
pointed to the last item of Riverdal
y news, where he read:
ION Thursday afternoon, just at sun
set, Mrs. James Baldwin, familiarl.
5 and lovingly known as Aunt Jim
/. passed away after q brief Illness He
/ funeral will be held tomorrow after
u noon at the church. A further motto
i of her long and useful life will appea
!. next week"
,. John let the paper fall and claspe
IL the hand of Dorcas In his own, an
she looked up at him with a happ
SMILE although her cheeks were sti
wet with tears.
ie ut is only for a little while, Do
cas-" he said, gently.
81 know it, john" she said.
= Hand in hand the aged couple SO
l. in silence, and every trace of discol
e tent and unrest had passed from the
" shining faces-Youth's Companion.