Morris tribune., 1909-11-19

street, I after him. He led the way.
and I followed. Over piles Of brick
and iron, through dust that choked
and blinded, we ran. The streets were
full Of people, running like we were.
But there was no word spoken, save
only the cry of some one under a wall
or the grooming Of a mother to child
in her arms.
was beginning to breathe once
more and to get new grip on life
when again came the rumble and roar,
and the earth trembled in its agony.
Tall buildings leaned till they all but
touched could see but a narrow
line of sky between. I thought they
would fall and crush me, but I didn't
care. I didn't care for anything. !
wanted to laugh 1 thought if l didn't
laugh I'd die. But / didn't ram I
could hardly keep on my feet. l
seemed to be stumbling over ridges of
earth that sank out of sight when
stepped on them.
Jack kept right ahead .of me, but
presently he stopped so suddenly that
I ran into him.
"Oh,". he said, ''I can't leave them
therev' His face was pale as death.
Anxiety burned in his eyes, but a
great pity trembled in his voice.
"Can't leave whom" I gasped, but
already he had turned back.
/ followed, and we came to a frail
woman sitting on the curbstone. In
her arms was a baby. At her knee
was little girl The girl was crying.
On the woman's face was the paleness
Of utter exhaustion, on her lips was
a prayer, and in, her eyes, resting on
her children. the deep pain with which
love embitters despair.
Madam" he said, "you will let us
help your" #
She looked at him, in her eyes a
blessing worlds could not purchase
He clasped the baby in his arms and
motioned for me to take the girl
Then. with his strong hand grasping
the woman's arm, we hurried away
Three blocks distant man bolted
into us-a large, broad shouldered man
with CRIME on his hands and grease
and dirt on his face that shone pale
beneath The woman threw her arms
about the mans neck and sobbed, and
the man took Jacks hand and held it
for an instant, then reached forth his
arms for the babe Jack kissed the
child and handed 1t to him and stood
looking at it wistfully until they were
swallowed by the sthrong.
: We passed church. The door was
open. A few candles burned dimly.
Without on the stone steps black
robed priest stood, crucifix in air,
chanting. About him a few of the
faithful knelt His black locks were
blowing in the rising breeze. His eyes
were upturned. Upon his calm face
was written, Peace, be STILL
So we came to corner, where Jack
paused and caught my arm. His face
was without color, CHASTITY in the
weird light Of the new day. His voice
was scarcely more than a whisper.
His eyes shone like those of one who
has staked his last cent upon the turn
of a wheel and knows the issue is life
or death.
'.Tom,' he cried, ''look! l cannot.
l cannotv He covered his face with
his hands. He was trembling. A child
ran past crying for its mother.
''Look where?,.' asked.
He glanced at me dumbly and raised
his hand to his head, then lowered it.
A red blotch cleaned duly on his
brow at the edge of his hair. His fin
gers were red.
'Tom"-he was on his knees, grip
ping my hand in both of his-"Tm a
dogv'
"Yes, yes" said impatiently, but
what do you want me to doy''
I'm dog!" he repeated. "She had
none to protect her. He sprang up.
"God! Do you understand His face
was savage; there was wild look in
his eyes. "If one hair of her head
The strong odor of smoke came to
me. could hear the cracking Of
flames. The gong Of fire engine
sounded in the distance, drawing near
er and nearer Above us, between the
tall buildings, the sky was ribbon of
pink.
'.In heavens name,' cried, where
is she, Jack7'
He pointed toward the cross street:
I'm the middle of the block" he whis-
pered, ION the left; a large. red hotel.
Look, Tom, is it there?'
l looked. The air was hazy with
smoke and dust could not see dis
tinctly. But presently it cleared.
YES" I said 1T is there
saw Jack drop something into his
pocket-a glittering barrel.
Side by side we rushed into the hotel
office. 1t was filed with people, They
were running here and there like ants
when you disturb their nest Yet all
was silence-the silence of intense
fright. Amy was not of them. Up
the; stairs we dashed, Jack in the lead.