The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09
SAN FRANCISCO FIRE

~ - 4x A1
preservation OF the Union. and above II
was q small cockade of red. white and
blue ribbon. faded and stained by age,
that Corporal Gabelle had worn proud
ly in his buttonhole when he marched
away. years ago. with his young wife
standing proudly but tearfuIly on the
curbstone Of an Eastern city as he
started to go to the front to battle for
his adopted land. the United States.
Prince Rupert took the gun in his
hands. hastily pinned the red. white
and blue cockade on the left breast
OF his coat. and said: Come, will
help you down the stairs to the street.
Lean on me-"
1t was hard work for Prince Rupert.
but he. finally got the Widow Gabelle
into the street People were hurrying
by. but there was no sign of horse
or wagon anywhere in sight. But
man with push cart was hurrying
by. carrying his clothes and some
small belongings on il.
Halt" promptly commanded Prince
Rupert. bringing his gun TO an aim
and glancing along the barrel as II
he would fire. Give me that cart
and help this lady to get on it,"
The man glanced sharply at the
gun and at Prince Rupert. He saw
the entire situation. for he knew OF
Prince Rupert that his own boys
talked about. and he had heard OF the
Widow Gabelle. Without waiting he
said Hold up the gun. boy I will
help her on and will run the cart
through to some place where she is
safe"
Good" cried Prince Rupert. as he
saw the Widow Gabelle on the cart.
Now let's march on at doubIe-quick
time" He already talked like a sol
dier little bit; SO soon people be-
come used to doing new things when
they have to do them.
Behind the Widow Gabelle and the
Prince Rupert the flames were gain
ing every moment in force and vol
ume. Red streamers of fire ran high
in the air and waved above the doomed
buildings like the weird banners OF
some cruel magician. The crashing OF
timbers was more and more terrible.
So they hurried on. the kind man
running with the cart when he could.
and Prince Rupert following close af-
ter. carrying the precious gun Of Ga
belle who had borne il at Gettysburg
when the earth ran with blood.
And now. farther UP the street.
Prince Rupert came to a group OF
hoodlums who were waiting
Here" called out one Of them.
roughly. give me that cart. IL isn't
yours Bundle the old woman OF and
make her walk. Hi. boys. take the old
woman of and then we will have
something to carry our traps away
on"
~Haltr' yelled Prince Rupert. fierce
". all the princely blood within him
fairly boiling at this proposition.
See the lighting kid" sneered an
other hoodlum- Here. sonny, go on
along now or you will get hurt
The man with the cart had stopped
and the Widow Gabelle was trembling
with fear and excitement and rage.
Let them have il, Patrick" she COM
manded- What does IL matter what
happens to an old woman anyway?
Some one will care for me. I guess
Anyway. your mother needs you and
you must not get into danger for me-
Look into this gun and see what
you find in there. shouted the little
hunchbacked Prince Rupert to the
hoodiums- Il can cover you all at
once Who will take chance to stop
the cart must settle with me and with
this gun"
Gee said one of the hoodlums.
this little feIler is goin' to shoot; let's
slxidoo.-
March on fast commanded Prince
Rupert, and don't stop TO look back
once
Back yelled soldier who had
come suddenly on the scene. Back:
we are dynamiting this building"
The man with the cart carrying the
Widow Gabelle TO safety ran. Over
something the little Prince Rupert
fell. Then a roar came that seemed to
split the sky. Like the shouting Of an
army of guns the dynamite went Of
Before Prince Rupert could rise a
heavy timber fell. 1t struck him on
his fair young forehead and mass OF
wreckage from the destroyed building
covered him up
The Widow Gabelle saw him fall but
never saw him rise again. There. at
the post of duty. with the gun from,
bloody Gettysburg fast In his brave
and boyish grasp. with the proud
cockade of Corporal Gabelle pinned
above his heart. dead IN his tracks. at
his post. lay Prince Rupert indeed.
who had a smile on his face as IL he
had answered the rollcall OF the an
gels and was not afraid.
os-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-
fNa Ncr-s had or6 afr,vrs1 a. n Itt<t.