Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-08-09

himself against the bed; "fergot you.
didn't they?"
Through the open door into the
corridor came a rush OF smoke that
burst into red tips Of fire. James
William set the baby down, and
picking up water pitcher. smashed
the glass In the window near by. A
little air came in, but 1t seemed
only to feed the fire, licking around
the door now. The baby was gasp
ing and the boy put her on the floor.
Then he stuck his head out through
the broken pane. Everything below
was dark; the fire seemed all up
stairs. And then just inside the win
dow he saw the gaping mouth of the
clothes chute. Behind, the baby
was whimpering dismally. The roam
was ablaze now at the far eIds
some of the beds were burning. and
famed by the air from the window
sparks began to drop scorching on
the boys half-clad figure.
James William looked around
desperately. He called out the win.
dow, but his thin little voice waa
lost in the roar. The clothes chute
yawned beside him; gradually he
felt its possibilities.
Il could drop some bed clothef
down" he thought, "and it wouldnt
DE much of a fall" The BABY
crawled over and pulled at his little
white nightshirt. But there's the
kid; If go first there'n be no one
to drop it, and if | drop it, and then
go down, I'll be like to kill 1t, fallin'
on it."
And then heredity began to tell
James William hoped over and
gathered a great armful of bed
clothes. stufing them down the
chute Then he gathered another
armful, and wrapped the baby loose
ly in them, her head out. The baby
yelled vociferously as he gave the
bundle push, and it sank slowly
from view down the chute. James
William drew a long breath, then
pulling himself by his hands, he got
out on the window sill, and sat there.
Outside on the street the engine
was pumping now, and below him
in the side yard the boy thought he
could make out the Virgins boy
dancing around and shrieking that
there was somebody upon that win
dow sill. The fire behind him was
very close now. He was terribly
frightened His heart didn't seem
70 1f oil = &C. A.
numb. Things began to look queer,
too. Then everything seemed to
come to an end.
When James William came to him.
self he was lying on the brick pave
ment just inside the iron fence with
somebody's arm under his head.
did you get the Madigan baby?"
he asked weakly.
From somewhere-it seemed far
off-he heard Miss Adams answer.
mo, James William" she said chok.
lily, I'm afraid we'll never get the
Madigan baby"
Then James William sat up. You
didn't" he asked why 1 dropped
her down the clothes chute"
Some of the people vanished into
the darkness; James William closed
his eyes.
Perhaps he went to sleep-it
seemed like a dream, anyhow, for
big strong arms were holding him
close, and near by Miss Adams was
calling some one to bring a blanket
for the Madigan baby. James VIII
liam opened his eyes and looked up.
Above him was a smoke-streaked
face surmOunted by helmet. The
face was familiar; the voice was odd,
though thick, and-of course 1t was
ridiculous-almost fearful.
Bully for you, little jim" It
was his father, sure enough! Good
boy! I'm proud of you, sure!" Then
to Miss Adams, "Can you find some
clothes for the youngster? 1 reckon
I'll keep him with me after this. -
Woman's Home Companion.