The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1905-12-09

| famfS. The three who had taken par
costumes
The wind was driving tho sparks 10
ward the huge, new grand stand II
that went. the loss to the agriculture
association would be very great. The
gate. receipts the year before had fall
len of. owing 10 a continuous run of
bad weather. the society was in debt
and illprepared for q fresh disaster,
With anxious eyes every one watched
the erandstand
why don You set shovels and
thro" sand on the fire." suggested the
acrobat in rose-cnlorod tights Il saw
that done out west once. where they
didn't have water. 1t worked all right
there. I guess the rockets are about
| done shootin by now"
I'll get &h0vfls," cried Edward
There's a couple under the Office
counter"
Of ne dartcd toward the buildings.
| When he returned. painting for breath.
| the secretary seized one shovel the
; president the other. and they began to
throw sand against he blazing pile
he little band Of spectators. follow
ing Edwards example, tore away
boards, scooped up sand with their
hands, ana stamped out the flames
'hat blazed up every now and again
IN the long. dry grass in the field en-.
closed bv the race track
OF course they could not save tho
Judges stand. but they could and did
keep the fire from spreading across the
track to the grand stand or over the
field to the other buildings.
NO one did better work than Ed
ward. He looked like chimney
sweep when it was all over. He felt
worse than he looked however for he
was deeply chagrined Beyond a
doubt, his neglect to replace The board
was responsible for the disaster. When
the crowd lad melted away he seated
himself on the deserted grand stand
and stared gloomily at the shoulder
ing pile.
That's the end of my rifle" thought
he. of course | can't take my wages |
after this, even if they're willing to |
give me- any. It'll take all nv prize |
money. and more too, to pay for a new
suit OF clothes, for these are done for
They've a nice opinion OF me by this
tliae. lhey ii have to give up the
snow on the tower and pay the aero
bats for what they've lost. suppose.
! nate 70 think of meeting the secre-
tary. He'll just take my head"
hat you, Hicks?' The secretary's
voice floated up from the race track
Are yod too tired to go to town on nv
wheel and do an errando'
i shouldn't think you'd ever want
10 trust me again. said Edward, bit
terly.
He leaped over the railing, however
md Joined the secretary as he smoke
i was pretty mad a.. first" said the
nan starring off. with Edward beside
am. toward the bicycle sheds. But a
ournt child breads the fire, you know,
md you've been pretty we'll scorched-
hear you've lost your eyebrows.
want you 10 go 10 town as fast as Won
an ride, wake up Sam Patterson, and
'et MIN started out here-hes got a
lcrse-Just as soon as he's awake. Put
he wheel in his wagon and some back
With him.
When he's made an estimate of the
umber needed for new judges stand,
ou're to take it to Mr.. Meads house.
et Mead up, and make him under
tand the he's got to get that lumber
ere by six o'clock sharp. We've got
have the stand done by two o'clock
omorrow. Then you're to go to the
ddresses on this list, engage these
our carpenters, and have them here
'lth their tools as soon as it's day.
ght. Understand"
Yes said Edward "You can de-
end on me this time" .
i thought so. | can't go myself. .
or I've got to take those acrobats !
and find beds for them ,
'ares got them rolled up in rag car G
cts 10 Keep them warm. Their tent +
as burned and all their clothes. =
ont know which are worse off. the
lree that are shivering in pink and r
reen tights or the two that lost their q
bangles; but l guess We'll find it easi 8
TO rake up everyday clothes for n
lem than to get circus duds. I'll be Y
lck by the time you are, for it'll take +
atthews and me half the night to .
raighten out the tickets and cash" @
Tired as he was, Edward carried ont Il
S instructions with faithful exact y
'ss. He managed to snatch two I,
'urs of sleep before six O'Clock. but
was careful to return then; for he
uld drive nails as we'll as any one.
ID he meant to do what he could to :,
pair the damage that his unfortunate =
relessness had wrought. =
The secretary chuckled when he saw g
lward helping to clear the ground u
the new stand. It'll be a good -
ng while before he forgets. to nail q
other board on" he said to himself
Youths Companion. :"
The Best Of Reasons. =
1