The Republican journal., 1912-12-26
Polly Rogers of the Prairie.
STORY OF A BRAVE GIRL

dents there, dear old lady who is now
known in the community as 'Grandmoth-
or Smith" but who was Polly Rogers
when girl.
1t was many, many years ago that
Polly's parents moved to the wild 'front.'
Ter country, then called The Plains. Polly
was only Ia years old at the time, and
she grew up with the country which be-
came her home.
Onto s'claim' moved the Rogers
family, which consisted of father, moth
er. two sons and one daughter. The
names of the little ones were, respective
iy, Charlie, Glen and Polly. Glen was
the baby of 8, Charlie was II, and, as
has been told, Polly was IA.
Like all the early settlers IN that des-
ert land, the Rogers family suffered
many privations, aid very soon Polly be-
came a real little woman, assuming
many responsibilities in the poor, new
home When her father and mother
went to town, several miles distant, Pol.
lv remained at home and cared for the
little brothers and looked after the stock
and chickens. One early autumn the
entire part of the world surrounding the
Rogers farm was menaced by prairie
fire, that dread thing which sends terror
to the heart of the settlers OF prairie
land Many tales came to the Rogers
home of farmers having been burnt out
all along the line of civilization, and in
some instances the poor people lost their
lives. But in most cases only the prop
erty. including cattle, horses and gram,
was destroyed.
Although Mr. Rogers knew the need
of fire-breaks about his land, he had been
so busy with the fall blowing and sowing
that he had put off making the fire
breaks, which would be done by firing
the prairie grass all around the farm, or
blowing broad strips of land about it. He
had ploWed border round three sides OF
the farm, which was protected on the
fourth side by creek, but the plo"ed
strips were not of sufficient width to
prevent fire blown by strong Wind from
dumping" them.
One morning Mr.. Rogers found it nee
essary to go to town to have some re-
pairing done to piece OF machinery,
and Mrs. Rogers decided to accompany
him, having some shopping 10 40 LOT .ne
children. School would begin the first
of November (only short winter terms of
the school were held during these pio-
neer days) and Polly and Charlie needed
some new shoes and jackets before start
ing.
After their parents had disappeared
over the long range of low hills, Polly
turned her attention to the homework
and Charlie carried water to the pigs
and chickens. Glen played in the yard
with his TOYS, for although the weather
was exceedingly cool, the little Rogerses
did not mind it, and played out OF doors
till the snow fell.
AS Polly washed dishes she sang right
merrilv. But suddenly she stopped and
listened, The sound of a running horses
hoofs came to her distinctly. She drop
ped her work and went out into the yard.
A horseman was coming down the road
as fast as the horse could carry him.
When almost opposite the Rogers house
he called out to Polly "Fire coming from
the West! Get to place of safety-no
time 10 lose.' Then was he past and
gone, flying on to warn the farmers
along the road.
Polly turned pale with fear, but she
did not sit down and cry as some little
girls would have done. She stood very
quietly for half minute, wonder
ing lust what move to make. Then she
ran and called to Charlie to come quickly
to the house. "a fire is comng!" ms
was all she had to say to him to make
him move like lightning. He, like all
children of the prairies in the early days,
knew what a prairie fire meant. He ran
to Polly, his eyes round with fear.
Nov, Charlie, let's not get scared
nor excited. We've got to act with good
judgment, but quickly. You run and
drive the pigs to the creek. The water
is SHALLOW and they can cross to that
plowed field. l'il unpicket the COWS and
drive them across. We can't save the
chickens. As soon as we get the stock
over, Wen carry bedding and clothing
till we see the fire too near for US to
work any longer.
Little Charlie said not word, but ran
to the pig pen and tore off a lower board
from it and let out the three pigs. He
had some difficulty in driving the ramb-
Ing fellows, but after some time got
them to the creek, where they re
driven across to a corn field on the OPP
posite side There he left them to root
about in the soft, plowed earth, and
quickly went back to the house to assist
Polly.
Polly had already united the cows
picket ropes from the pins and was drlv-
ing them down to the creek. Charlie
assisted her with this work. Little Glen
still sat playing with his toys in the yard,
for he was yet too small to know any
thing about prairie fires.
The cows safely picketed on the field
of safety, Polly and Charlie returned
to the house for the baby and some cloth
ing. They could now get the smell OF
smoke from the West, and the wind was
bringing the fire at good rate.
Polly and Charlie carried armoads OF
bedclothes to the field, Polly also carry
ing little Glen on her back across the
creek.
Now we are safe," said Charlie, as
they placed their burdens on the ground:
1--WE must not stop yet, Brother"
said Polly. ''The fire isn't in sight yet,
and we can work till we see it over the
hills yonder. Then We'll have time to
reach the field in safety. Come We'll
return to the house for Papa's best
clothes and Mammals silk dress and win
ter cloak. Well also bring other things
that we can carry
Then Polly explained to Glen that he
must remain just where he was till they
returned, for otherwise the Big Fire
might get him. So the little fellow,
taking from his apron pocket top and
> rubber doll, fell to playing, and was
quite content to remain in the field with
the cows and pigs. Polly and Charlie
returned to the house and soon came
I'll,