The Washington herald., 1911-08-13
Captains of Honor
FROM PAGE TWO

"Ihet hay burns like tinder," said one.
"Here comes Mrs. French. ] wonder how
she'll feel erbout her little girl? Reckon this
II show up this school fooshness SO as to
stop it,"
While this was being said, boy brave
enough to enter lions den, if it was neces-
sary to accomplish his purpose sprang for
ward toward the burning building without
saying word.
Miss Mackay, divinng his purpose, caught
him by the arm crying:
"One life is enough to lose! Stop, Am
brose-you must not!'
He had already reached the door, and the
next instant disappeared into the fiery school
part of the old barn.
A stiffness, broken only by the roaring and
cracking of the fire, instantly fell upon the
assembled people Ambrose York disap-
peared into the burning building, without one
seeing possibility of his coming out alive.
While they waited and watched for his re-
appearance, Abe York and OH Oates, breath
less and heated from their long run, dashed
into the midst of the spellbound crowd.
Rose is in the burn" some one began to
say, but was interrupted by a terrific crash
at the end of the barn, followed by flying
missile that came near hitting some.
1t was shvered portion of one of the
boards, and in the opening thus made Rose
York appeared with Flosse French in his
arms.
But the space was not wide enough for him
to pass through and he was vainly trying to
break off another board, when Abe bounded
to the spot.
Seizing upon the board, Abe quickly tore it
from its fastenngs, when Rose staggered out
of the furnace.like place, with his precious
burden still in his arms.
A loud shout went up from the spectators,
who rushed around the young hero, while the
mother, catching up her child, wept for joy.
Seeing that his brother was safe, Abe con-
tinued to tear off the boards. soon joined by
OH Oates.
"What are you going to do, Abe?" he asked
the last.
Going to see if I can't save some of the
books and things. See! the wind is chang
ing, and that is going to help US. a..
Abe's words proved correct, and as the
wind blew the smoke and flames away from
that end of the building, several men went
to the assistance Of the two boys, and before
the roof fell in they had saved nearly all OF
the school property.
Five minutes later the walls collapsed, and
all that remained of Mr.. Truels barn was q
pile OF smouldering RUNS.
He had been away from home, but returned
at that juncture, and bewailed his loss bit
terly.
Another boy appeared upon the scene at
that time though no one had noticed HIM ex
cept Kit Coin, who saw that he was bare
headed He was Sam rlutters.
"Where you been, Sam!
E. "None of yer bizness!"
: "Where's your cap, SamE -,
"None of yer bizness! Left it ter home,
was 80 excited at the sight of the lire that
kit wisely held his own counsel, hkewis'
Though the loss of the barn was felt keenl!
by many besides Mr.. Truell. general re]oiGin'
was felt that no lives had been lost, whii
Rose York was praised without stint by all
IL was still the one theme Of conversation
when Mr.. Noble and Mr.. Swazey, OF oxford
drove into the village. -,
Az Abe and Miss Mackay told them al
they knew of the affair, the two men shoo,I
their heads and talked in low tone to eaGl
other for some minutes. Finally Mr.. Nooi
said: ..9y-
mo, sir; no one seems to know. Inc chl
dren are all confident none OF them had pee
near that part of the barn during the moo %
hour. Do you think it was set on purpose!
II do not feel like expressing an opinio
vet, Hilloa, Mr. Truell! l presume you ar az
as much in the dark about the origin Vi vi
fire as any OF MS.
II don't know how much you know erbou
it. but knows one of them Bushes set IT.
tole Abe York it war comm, an | tell yo
sonebuddy has got to pay me Ter tnet DAFT
1t was wuth clean hundred dollars. - l.,
II don't doubt it, job but we VIII TAI
that over later on. Just now ] am anxi9u
TO see what can be done about getting anothe
building for the school.
What! Win the school continner now!
asked a bystander. -, r.; ;
Most assuredly it will. We are living
n civilized country and in an enlightened ag
and am going to tell you that though e'et 81
building in the Pnery may be burned 70 ~ "
ground. another shall be raised for schoo
room, But | must find temporary quarter
until new house can be built
MIR. Mobiles decisive speech was not wlu VIII,
ont it's effect. and he was met Wlth moi
pespectful hearing than he had expected.
Even Erastus Bush talked quite hopeful III
about "startin' up u skewl," and no OF
seemed more anxious than he -, IN dn,tt regara ;,
The origin of the fire, though the commute
could not help doubling his sincerity