The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-12-13
A TRAMP FIRE.FIGHTERJ
BY IDA ALEXANDER

GOl WIN llOM lNS u nav
been fighting fire with the other fire.
lighters, 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 blistered 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
help to save | amt goin back"
The resolution had come suddenly.
He had fully intended to return after
snatching an hour or so OF we'll
earned rest.
1t was in the early forenoon that
he had laid down. 1t 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 comm this way"
He sat up at last, sulkily and half
awake Il don't give "a"
The faces of the men were black.
ened and bleeding.
jerks an Berts lost" said one.
We'll, | didn't find en-" 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. II was only
when enacted before the eye, in all
its grewsome details. that it had pow.
er even partially to shock.
He settled back again. Il amt 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 a 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 "Ill
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. II
was night before they acknowledged
that their efforts had been without
avail
Bill threw down his AK, and pointed
his lean finger. Some one ought to
tell 'em," he said. And then, as nc
one spoke. "Tll go
1t was trackless way through the
forest and thick underbrush, but Bill
raced on. hurried by the roaring OF
the fire, handicapped by his wearl.
ness, harried by the fear that he might
not be in time.
The people Of the village we're
awake. clustered around in groups,
watching the light that hung like a
menace in the sky. There were no
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
hurried fight. 1t was he who remem
bered verything-meat and drink
warm clothes for the wideeyed chill
dren. He harnessed and made ready
Throw out everything, if you amt
maxim a 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 a bit. You're loaded enough
III be along fore long"
Already the flames were sending
forth their spying sparks. Presently
Iue eHcHy NOulu tnlO" CautloH w the
winds, and advance upon him.
ANY other place could "a burned
and been darned fore I'd a done it.
But this, | couldn't never forget that
little shaver as wanted to gi' me his
pie-all of it. | jest had to do it,"
And Bill, fire-fghter and tramp, set
tied comfortably back, with his eyes
on the approaching fire, and the
strange smile still shadowing his
mouth with a beauty that would have