The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-02-03
A TRAMP FIRE.FIGHTER.
BY IDA ALEXANDER.

ECT week now lCs tramp uhu
been fighting FIRE with the other fire.
fighters. Why be had done so be
hardly knew. The pay was not
large and the risk was. He had been
almost cornered again and again. Al
times, escape had seemed impossible,
bu, he had raced his way 10 safety.
while his bl!stered 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 Il 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 10 save. amt goin' back"
The resolution had come suddenly.
He had fully intended TO return after
snatching an hour or 30 OF well.
earned rest.
/, was in the early forenoon that
he had laid down II 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 halt
awake. 81 don't give "a"
The faces OF the men were black.
ened and bleeding.
jerks an Berts lost" said one.
We'll. l 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 30 many that the shock was
quite gone from the tale. 1t was only
when enacted before the eye, in all
It's grC wsome 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 90. The
man half turned, but paused. "Bill
once more. will 20 como? It's hittin
now for placi where there's little
ch!ldren-little children, mind ye. With
out any idee what danger means"
BIZ raised his lank figure till he
stood an inch above the others. "I'll
come" he said.
Backward now they turned with the
quick step OF men who know tina,
time meant life. All trace OF listless
ness had vanished from Bits face and
figure. He was the alert fre-fghter
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 az, and pointed
his lean finger. Some one ought to
tell EN-" he said. And then. as nc
one spoke. 'T'll 60"
II was trackless way through thu
forest and thick underbrush, but Bill
raced on, hurried by the roaring OF
the fre. handicapped by his weari.
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 q
menace In the sky. There were no
men among them. The men were
away. battling with the danger that
threatened their homes. So 1t fell to
BIZ to prepare and urge forward the
hurried fight. II was he who remem.
bered everything-meat and drink
warm clothes for the wide-eyed chill.
dren. He harnessed and made ready,
Throw out everything. II you ain't
maxim good getaway" he eau.
toned. then gave the word, and the
heavily laden teams moved of.
You! You! You amt comin'?'
tho women shrilled back to him.
After bit. You're loaded enough
III 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. couldn't never forget thai
little shaver as wanted to gi' me his
pie-all of It. Jest had to do It,"
And Bill, flre-nghter 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