The Washington herald., 1911-08-13

knowing that these visitors were not friend
ly disposed, the pupils became alarmed at
their approach
Before they had reached the door, how
ever, that small but plucky pair, Kit Coin
and Little Queer, arrived at the place, and
seeing that the six boys meant to enter, and,
as they believed, with no honest intentions,
the two stationed themselves in the pathway,
with determined front.
stand ersde. kids!" ordered the foremost.
What do you ,want?' asked Kit.
Ter come IN. OF course"
"What do you want to come in for, Brad
Fellows?"
Ter look round. They say ye hev got it
fixed up stavn' fine"
p,,1 4oul ,hev be tearing sor down the trimmings
IF yer know me, so well. ,jes' stand erside
afore l put my foot on YER
Keep back, every one Of you, or some
body will get hurt!" replied the brave little
fellow, while Queer stood calmly by his side.
About this time some one called out:
"Send for the teacher!
Surprised at this opposition, the big bully
was about to catch hold of Kit, when new
all.
1t was Ambrose York, who, seeing what
was about to take place, with nimble spring,
planted his feet in the small of Brad Fellows'
both hands, tipped the would-be assailant 0t
Kit over backward upon the ground, himset
alightng squarely upon his feet.
This had been done 50 quickly, ~. and sud
ions had comprehended the act.
As he scrambled to his feet he fairly boiled
with rage, and, glaring, around, he demanded:
Who throwed me!"
Look out he means to do it ag'in! He's
behind yer!'
"Let me git my paw on him. Come here,
yet little rat, so | can keteh you. Stop him,
boys-head him off!
They might as well have tried to catch a
weasel; though, in eluding his pursuers, Rose
was obliged to run around the corner OF the
barn.
,"Chase him down, boys! Don't yer let him
git away" Y
Finding that he was being hotly pursued,
Rose ran the length of the rear side Of the
barn, and was near the further corner, when
a cloud of smoke and fire burst out OF the
side of the building into his face. He stag
eered away in season to escape second sheet
OF flame, when he saw that the barn was on
fire. .
With the startling exclamation on his lips:
he rushed back to the entrance to the school,
room. regardless of his assailants:
"The barn is burning up! The other end is
all on 6re!" ~
In a moment wild confusion reigned, the
troublesome party instantly rushing IN the
The flames had caught in the haymow, and
were spreading with rapidity, while dense
clouds Of black smoke rolled upward from the
Even Brad Fellows, robbed of his former
brayado, stood gazing upon the work OF the
flames in speechless amazement- The pupils
had joined the others, some Of the younger
ones beginning to cry.
The barn standing alone, and at least
hundred rods from any other building, the
alarm Of fire had not been heard at hrst, bue
Little Queer and Kit Coin were not long IN
starting for help, shouting at the top OF their
lungs: er
Queer had gone in the direction Of the
teachers boarding place, while kit darted
down by the stone wall. overgrown with 2
tall brier hedge, leading toward the main part
Of the village.
Kit had not gone many rods before he
caught sight Of a cap lying upon the ground
near the line Of bushes. He passed II with
out taking any particular notice OF IT; put,
as belonging to Sam Futters, and, upon the
impulse of the moment, he stopped, returned,
picked il up and thrust II INTO his pocket;
Without giving it further thought, he sped
on, shouting louder than ever.
Meanwhile the fire was making rapid head
way and the flames and smoke quickly en-
yeloped the entire building. The heat from
the burning hay was so intense that the spec
tators were Obliged to retreat to q eonslder
able distance while they continued to watch
with bated breath, the work OF fiery destruc. .
ton. SsMAH
The school children had been too frightened
to think of saving anything from the school.
room, and the others had not Thought Oh
doing So Then Miss Mackay appeared upon
the scene. ?,
"How did this happen? Oh, this is awful!
Are the children all safeT
"Yes. mum. We all come out when the
fire first started. Rose"
"Where is Fossie French?" interrupted the
teacher, as she hastily looked over the terri
fed group, without seeing her, smallest pupil.
Didn't she stay here through the noon, as
usual?"
eyes, teacher. And she was asleep in her
seat Just before the fre!" replied one.
"She hasn't come out, teacher!' said an