The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-05-28


was the first to hear the agonizing cry
of the mayors wife for someone to
save her little girl. While others ap-
peared rooted to the spot speechless
with horror, Josh instantly took off his
tsttered coat, and, holding it in front
of him to shield his face in case of
necessity, he bravely entered the burn
ing dwelling at bound, the personifi-
cation of action galvanized into life.
When he disappeared thru the door
way the crowd gave a tremendous
cheer, and then became silent. A few
asked those nearby in whispered tones
who the man was. On being told that
it was Josh Peters, they did not be-
lieve it and shook their heads sagely.
They did not believe he was capable of
such supreme heroism, As the Sec
onds sped into minutes the crowd be-
came impatient. They thought he had
met horrible death. They shouted
for him to hurry and other foolish re-
marks which he did not hear amid the
roaring of the flames. Finally he ap-
peared With bundle in his arms. He
laid the precious burden in the out
stretched arms of the hysterical wom-
an and then fell forward in dead
faint. The crowd stopped its cheering
for the hero. A dozen men rushed to
his aid, among the first being the mayor
and doctor. They gently turned
poor Josh on his back, and what a
sight he was. His hair and eyebrows
were singed off and he was bleeding il.
several places.
When he was revived he was taken
to a nearby house and his wounds
dressed. The mayor asked him bow
he felt and he merely thanked him for
his kindness-that was all.
"Doctor," said the mayor in feeling
tones, 81 want you to spare no expense
in taking care of this man. If his eye
sight is affected, get the best specialist
you can; spare no expense in pulling
him thru. Such splendid act of her.
oism have never seen, and it shall be
fittingly rewarded. Hereafter, Mr.
Peters shalt not become the butt o1
J every mans suspicion and persecution
;. in this town."
| The mayor kept his word. When HI
moved into another house be had Jcsf
, moved there and he and his wife tended
to his wants with loving solicitud'
during his convaiescence. His eye
t sight was not injured and he improved
: rapidly. The kindness he received
caused him to become more talkative
and he even smiled and played will
: the little girl he saved from horribl
3 death.
. The day Josh walked down tow
will always be memorable one in tn
t history of his life. Everybody greete'
!, him kindly. He was not ashamed t
: look any man in the face, and he re
: turned their salutations with zest. Wa
T he not worthy of their admiration
7, Surely yes, tor what was his past whe
: weighed beside his noble self-sacrift
It ing deed of saving the child of th
9 highest citizen in the town? From
d social pariah he had become one of tn
>. notables of the town. Even the ladie
: who formerly swished their skirts t
), one side as he passed, now acknow
r edged his greeting.
l. When Josh fully recovered from h
o injuries the mayor made him his coacl
o man, and he often told his friends thu
q Peters was one of the most faithfl
men that ever worked for him. Or
10 day the mayor asked Josh about thos
10 two rows Of wishbones which were di
ID covered over his door, and what W,
=. his object in putting them ther
III Josh laughed uproarously as herecalle
re the incident. He said: "When moth'
N died we had twenty five or thirty chic
10 ems in the back yard but her deaf
i'd made me so heartbroken and melal
le choly that l forgot to feed ther
q Mother was dear to me and I felt b.
ID loss keenly. 1t was weeks before
Ii recovered from the blow. During tn,
Of awful time the chickens wandert
n- away and never came back. 1t WI
N about this time that everybody locke
Ie upon me with suspicion and laid q