The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-11-13
poles, gave orders and controlled the


crowd.
AS the full menace Of the fire was
perceived, a powder squad was
formed to blow up buildings. The
streets were full of terror-struck fam
lilies, carrying, hauling or driving
away their household goods.
There were the usual touches of
comedy. Little Eliza Bartlett, walked
to tumult and bright light, thought
it was party, and tnsistently de-
manded her best-wrought muslin
frock.
Little Hannah Andrews slept
through 1t all, and was SO Mortified
next day at the thought of having
been allowed no opportunity to col
lect her treasures that she packed her
dolls, picture-books and toys into a
basket, which she carried or kept at
hand, ready for instant removal, dur
ing all the ensuing summer.
An excited housekeeper bore, as
she supposed, load of heavy and
valuable plate to a distant friends,
only to find on her arrival that she
had left the silver behind and was
claspfng three f1atirons.
In the long ago, as to-day, neigh
boring towns sent help to fight the
flames, and later to relieve the suf-
ferers. But sixteen and a half acres
were burned over, $50 buildings de-
stroyed, and the money loss-which
proved a staggering blow to the
business Of the community-reached
the appalling sum Of "a whole million
dollars!"
Methods, standards, values have
changed, but the spirit Of the people
who face disaster, and of those who
hasten to their help, has been the
same from the first, as one may be-
lieve 1t will remain to the last.
PURSUED BY A RATTLING SNAKE
If George Krouse hadn't had his
wife with him he might, although
practically a teetotaler, he really
might have doubted his senses when
a golden-mottled snake six feet long
took his trail near the Pennsylvania
Railroads S Scott avenue crossing at
8 o'clock a. m. But Mrs. Krouse was
there, so there's no question the
snake was, too.
Woman and the serpent have been
associated ever since that garden
scandal. Besides, Mrs. Krouse saw
1t with her own eyes, and young eyes
cf jeyh Of JyiGfnn an6 ctoa6V
of gaze. Moreover, both the Krouses
heard the snakes rattle. Following
which they fed.
1t was a wicked-looking reptile,
buck -toothed, with fiat head and
beady eyes. Scales golden in spots
covered it and it whirred rattle that
sounded like the rustic of many
leaves. The Krouses, on their way to
the home of Mrs. Mary Arnold, OF
Montgomery street, for a days visit,
sighted the snake shortly after a
freight train from the far South
passed them.
They believe the monster wriggled
out of a fruit car and fell beside the
track. If that was the, case, the visi.
tor from Dixie lost no time in getting
into action. The reptile moved
swiftly upon the Krouses, causing
them to flee to John Blackwood's
home.
Blackwood and Krouse, after lit
tie, armed themselves and went forth
to dispatch the supposed rattler. But
no snake was to be seen, and if il
hadn't been for the presence of Mrs.
Krouse, once more Krouse might
have suspected his eyesight.
Anyway the Krouses cut their
visit to Mrs. Arnold short and hur'
ried home to tell the children not ia
wander until the serpent could be
caught. Whereat the young Krouses
seeing a second holiday were exceed.
ing glad. - Railway IN. J.) Cores
pondent of the New York Press.