The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-01-07
A TRAMP FIRE.FIGHTERI
by IDA ALEXANDER,

For week now the tramp had
been fighting fire with the other fire
fighters. Why he had done 80 he
hardly knew. The pay was not
large and the risk was He had been
almost cornorcd again and again At
times. escape had seemed impossible.
but he had raced his way TO safety.
while his blstercd feet and smoke
cloggcd lungs protested. But he had
always wont out. Now he had dis
tanccd the fire once again, and lay
stretched In the shade, genuinely
weary. sincerely sick Of II all.
Let the owners fight" he said. half
aloud Later on they'll run me out
from the shade OF the very trees
help 10 save, ain't goin' back"
The resolution had come suddenly
He had fully intended 10 return after
snstchlns an hour or so OF we'll
earned rest
II was In the early forenoon that
he had laid down, II seemed hours
before his tired eyes closed. and but
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 M, Bill Get up for Gods sake,
It's comin this way"
He sat M AT last. sulkily and half
awake. y don't give a"
The faces Of the men were black.
ened and bleeding
jerks an Rert's lost" said one.
We'll, | didn't fnd EN-" said the
tramp
God, find them" said the other.
reverenuy, They've burned TO
death"
He heard the news callously, There
had been So many that the shock was
quite gcne from the tale. Ii was only
when enacted before the eye. in all
It's srewsome details, that IL had pow.
er even partially 10 shock.
He settled back again. Il Amt goin'
70 get up"
The others stood ready 10 so. The
man half turned, but paused. 'Bilr
once more, will ye oome' 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 "rll
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 Bill's 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.
BIZ threw down his Ak. and pointed
his lean finger Some one ought &c
tell EN-" he said And then. as nc
one spoke. "rll go"
II was trackless way through the
forest and thick underhrush. but Bill
raced on, hurried by the roaring Of
the fre, Handicapped by his wesrt
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
menace In the sky. There were nc
men among them. The men were
away, battling with the danger that
threatened their homes So II fell &c
EIN 70 prepare and urge forward the
hurried flight Il was he who remeul
Norcd cVerythink- and drink
warm clothes for the widc-eyed chill
dren. lie hSrnessed sni made ready
Throw cut every thins, Il you amt
maxim sooi getaway" he cSu
toned, then save the word. and the
heavily laden teams moved oG.
You, You You s,nr oomin'c-
the women Shvillei hack q him.
~Aryer s hit You're loSded enough
III Se Slcre Iors lons~
Already the flames were sendins
tovth their s0yins sparks Presently
'ssN enemy "N~.A fAAANN NASAsN's4 ~ NA4S t.
winds, &ui advance upoa him.
Any ether place could s. eurnet
Sri Sesr iS-rei tcre Ia a done l. .
~; ;A.s, ! cN>GlGct never Gorge; ;hSi
C't,e shaver Ss wanted - 81 rs hi,
T.e-&N ~ 4 ,eS; hSi' - - Il
Ar3 EN. S-SNesS:s- sai tramp, Sc. .
.,e& c>-...>-,aN,y NSt& With h,s eye,
- re &HY0oscA!zs 60e, SrG -: .
strange s=,.,s s;!l sAs5cv!cs hi
=>~tA Nh $ Nsss,y ia; N7oGli hSvt
made Is =,S,As- s.&3
- - -. g