The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-01-05
from a 8,
Belle
Sp ar r " "'s'
Copyright, 1904, by Belle Mantates

summer day a huntsman trod through
the thickly grown brush that bordered
the country road. Once or twice he
stopped and looked about in apprecia
ton OF the day and the beauty of the
country. Then he lighted a cigar, toss
ING the match aside before it was eX
tinguished BY the time he had van
iShed from view the half spent match
had accomplished rivulet 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 and the stretch Of dry, parched
grass and brush that interviewed. She
knew that if the flames were not eXtin-
guished at once the whole piece of
woods would go. She caught up a stout
stick as she ran, and when she reached
the farther end of the running fire she
began 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 telephone.
Ask them to notify all the neighbors,"
she directed between beats.
Johnny was reluctant to leave bon
fire of such proportions as this was as
Stunning, 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 at whose house she boarded.
He procured stick and made an eff
fective onslaught upon the flames.
Presently they were REINFORCED by a
passerby, and after time the fire was
extinguished
You best go home and rest spell"
counseled her landlord. you look all
het up and tuckered out"
1T was pretty warm work." she ac-
knowledged, arranging her hair, which
the breeze and her exertions had tum-
bled about her face.
well, l tell you what you just
saved them woods, all right. The own
er ought to make you nice present"
Mabel laughed.
s'Who is the owner?" she asked care
lessly.
His name is Max Thornton. He's
a 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
in the woods
'.I'll git him to come and helpsteaeh-
err he thought as he sculried through
the cool woods after the man behind
the gun.
"Say, the woods is pretty near on
fire. It's mos creep up on emf
The man laughed good naturally.
DO you think l am in any danger?"
1.-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 1t with a stick. l never
s'posed she could hit out like thatt'
Hasn't she laid it ON to you YETI?
laughed the hunter.
Nav. She amt teched one on us
Wit. 1 bet the boys would behave if
1ey'd seen her beat that fire."
me hunter was occupied for mo-
ment with conjuring the image of
teacher hittin' the fire.
Say, young man, has your teacher
got red hair, and does she wear
glassesY
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.
81 came to help put out fire, but
see you have done good work." gazing
at the blackened ground
Eve only got here to the tail end of
it." explained the farmer. '"The school
teacher got here first, and she fit it like
tiger. Guess some of you hunters
set it on fire"
The hunter laughed and walked on.
remembering the match, but he felt
no compunctions. "a man has the
right to set fire 60 his own if he wants
TO-" he thought. Suppose it would
be only decent in me to go and thank
the schoolma'an. Wonder how l can
make her substantial token OF graft
tude without offensew
Here, boyp he turned and called to
Johnny, who fingered near the ruins
%'Do you want to earn quarter%
you bet yer boots!'
''Then take me to your teacher, If it's
not too far
cts jest down the next road ways,
and mebby she's stopped in at the
school'us down the lane
ION a Saturday." he asked skep-
tically.
Yes. 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 a bitter, cynical trend. A
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