The Prescott daily news., 1912-12-05
A TRAMP FIRE-FIGHTERI
By IDA ALEXANDER.

been fighting fire with the other fire fighters. Why he had done so he hardly knew. The pay was not large and the risk was He had been almost cornered again and again. At times, escape had seemed impossible, but he had raced his way to safety, while his bistered feet and smoke clogged lungs protested. But he had always wont out Now he had dis tanced the fire once again, and lay stretched in the shade. genuinely weary, sincerely sick of it all
 Let the owners fight" he said half aloud. Later on they'll run me out from the shade of the very trees I help to save. l ain't goin' back
 The resolution had come suddenly He had fully intended to return after snatching an hour or so of we'll earned rest.
 It was in the early forenoon that he had laid down. It seemed hours before his tired eyes closed, and but a moment before he was rudely awak- ened, Men were pulling at him: men were shouting in his ear. The words at last penetrated drowsily into his mind
 Get up, Bill. Get up for Gods sake It's comin this way"
 He sat up at last. sulkily aud half awake. q don't give a."
 The faces of the men were black ened and bleeding.
 "Jenks an Bert's lost" said one.
 Well. didn't find 'em,' said the tramp.
 God, find them!" said the other reverently. They've burned to death"
 He heard the news callously. There had been so many that the shock was quite gone from the tale. It was only when enacted before the eye. in all its grewsome details, that it had pow CT even partially to shock.
 He settled back again. 'I aint goin to get up"
 The others stood ready to go The man half turned, but paused. "Bill' once more. will ye come? It's hittin' now for place where there's little children-little children, mind ye, with out any idee what danger means"
 Bill raised his lank figure till he stood an inch above the others. 'I'Il come," he said
 Backward now they turned with the quick step of men who knew that time meant life. All trace of listless ness had vanished from Bills face and figure. He was the alert flre-fighter untiring. unafraid
 All day they fought, each with the courage and the strength of ten. It was night before~they acknowledged that their efforts had been without avail.
 Bill threw down his ax, and pointed his lean finger Some one ought to tell 'em," he said. And then. as nc one spoke. "I'll go"
 It was trackless way through the forest and thick underbrush. but Bill raced on, hurried by the roaring of the fire, handicapped by his weart ness. harried by the fear that he might not be in time
 The people of the village were awake, clustered around in groups, watching the light that hung like 8 menace in the sky. There were nc men among them. The men were away, battling with the danger that threatened their homes. So it fell to Bill to prepare and urge forward the hItr rrtn tnd tnht ( |. bered everything-meat and drink warm clothes for the wide-eyed chil dren He harnessed and made ready
 Throw out everything, If you aint maxim good getaway" he eau toned, then gave the word, and the heavily laden teams moved off
 You! You You ain't comin'?' the women shrilled back to him.
 After bit You're loaded enough I'll be along fore long,"
 Already the flames were sending forth their spying sparks. Presently the enemy would throw caution to the winds. and advance upon him.
 Any other place could "a burned and been darned fore I'd "a done it But this! l couldn't never forget that little shaver as wanted to gi' me his pie-all of 1t. jest had to do it."
 And Bill. fire-fghter and tramp, set tied comfortably back, wi,a his eyes on the approaching fire, and the