The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-09-24

waged battle less brave than did
the finely equipped heroes iii the next
street?
The cry of fire and the bright blaze
had brought Joe from his bed into the
street with all the speed that he could
muster. The fire was near and Mary's
house might be in danger This was
his one thought. No remembrance
had he that he had been told to get
out and hurrying along through one
street and another he reached the cor
ner just in time to see Hose 4 come
dashing up.
Millions of sparks were joining the
myriad stars in the heavens and float
ing swiftly on, bright and beautiful
agents of terror and destruction.
There had been no storm for month
and the January thaw" had melted
all snow from the roofs. Upon these
the brands and sparks were falling
fast In her little yard over in Dutton
street old Mary Slower was alternately
drawing pail after pail of water,
throwing it as high as possible (hard
| ly above the windows), and wringing
her hands in misery and despair,
when around the corner of the house
burst ice. his hat gone and coat open
to the wind.
| Without a minutes hesitation he
forced in the shed door, pulled out the
old ladder and mounted to the roof.
Already the shingles we're burning in
a dozen places, and as Mary drew the.
water and passed it, Joe threw it right
hand and left. Few roofs caught, for
nearly all in the neighborhood were
slated, and the wind seemed to single
out the little old house with its dry
cedar shingles for It's especial prey.
Faster and faster fell the glowing
embers, and where they touched. tiny.
swiftly-spreading flames sprang up.
1 The old mans knees were growing
lame and weak; his soaking clothes
froze and his hands blistered as with
them. while waiting for water, he
smothered the fire here and there.
AT last the water ceased to come.
and, looking down he saw Mary sitting
exhausted by the well. Her strength
had failed at last and now she could
do no more.
Not word had passed between
them since he first came and of their
past differences neither had a thought
| Clambering quickly down he took the
exhausted woman in his arms and car
4 ried her into the house, then hurrying
out again, drew each pail of water
himself, and climbing up the ladder,
threw it about
But, thank heavenl the worst was
>oyeE The fire had eateg~ its way
along the next greet and the dear old
house was no longer in the way of
flying sparks. The old man wet the
last glowing shingle, then slowly and
painfully felt his way down from
round to round and stood painfully
shivering in the snow. looking at the
door in indecision. Then he tottered
into the kitchen and lay down, and
soon Joe knew no more.
1t was morning. The gorgeous flush
of dawn turned the thick white frost
on the Kitchen window to crimson.
and Joe opened his eyes to find him
self on the familiar horsehair sofa.
with blankets tucked in about him and
a savory smell of pennyroyal tea
hanging over the room. What a
blessed sense of rest and peace stole
over him. He closed his eyes, and
when he opened them again Mary was
kneeling beside him. the tears stream
ing down her wrinkled cheeks
"Oh, joel viii you stay now? I'm so
sorry! VIII you stay now. Joe2 I'm
only an old woman, joe will you stay
now?"
Poor Mary's lesson was learned.
why, aunt said Joe. why, aunt.
it's good of you to take me in. Course
! I'll stay
And he did