The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-03

marched down to the front door with odd boots On coming out and finding what had been done. I knew that Ned could not have left the house, for it was impossible for him to wear my boot. l was about descending the stairs when he called to me from the front door, and said the servant had mixed our boots, and that he had brought down one of l mine When l reached the front door I found Ned and MT. and Mrs. Blank there; all the inmates of the house hav- | ing left 1t, who designed to leave it, but Ned and myself.
 Don't go and leave me, Hall" said l he, holding my boot in his hand, and hay | ing his own on his leg. How can leave you" said l, unless you'l give me my boot?" This he did not seem to hear.
 Do run, gentlemen" said Mrs. Blank, greatly alarmed. MT. Brace, you've got MT. Halls boot give it to him."
 Tn a minute, madam said he, seem ing to be beside himself. A second after, however, all was explained to me. He de- signed to have my company to the fire, and his own fun before he went. | man came posting along in great alarm and crying "Fire.' loudly.
 Mister mster.'' said Ned, jumping out | of the house.
 Sir" said the man, stopping and |
 Have you seen MT. Peleg Q. c. Stone along where you've been?" inquired Ned, with anxious solicitude.
 "D-n MT Peleg Q. c. Stone!' said the stranger. What chance have I of seeing anybody, hopping up at o'clock in the morning, and the town a-fire.' and on he | went.
 Thus did he amuse himself with va rious questions and remarks to four or | five passengers. until even MT. Blank | forgot for awhile that the town was in flames. The last object of his sport was a woman, who came along exclaimng, | "Oh. it's MT. Dalby's housel I'm sure 1 it is Mr. Dalby's house!' Two gentlemen assured her that the fire was far beyond | MT. Dalby's house; but still she went on l with her exclamations. When she had l passed the door about ten steps, Ned | permitted me to cover my frozen foot with | my boot. and we moved on toward the | fire. We soon overlook the woman just 1 mentioned who had become somewhat pacifed. As Ned came alongside of her, without seeming to notice her, he ob- served, Poor Dalby, l see his house is | gone"
 "I said so," she screamed out: 'I knew | it." and on she went, screaming ten times louder than before.
 As soon as we reached the fire gen. tleman in military dress rode up and or-  Ned stepped in, and the first bucket that was handed to him he raised very de- lberately to his mouth and began to drink. In a few seconds all on Ned's right were overburdened with buckets and calling loudly for relief, while, those on his left were unemployed Terrible were the cursing and clamor, and voices at once ordered Ned out of the line. Ned stepped out. and along. came the man on horseback and ordered him ir again.
 "Captain, said Ned. I am so thirsty that I can do nothing until l get some water. and they will not let me drink in the line
 Well" said the captain, 'step in, and l I'll see that you get drink
 Ned stepped in again, and receiving the first bucket began to raise 1t to his lips very slowly. when some one hallooed tc him to pass on the bucket. and he brought 1t down again and handed 1t on
 "Why didn't you drink?' said the cap tain.
 why? Don't you see they won't lei me?' said Ned.
 Don't mind what they say; drink and l then go on with your work. Ned took the next bucket and com