The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-12-26

rescue OF Harborhead the closely pop
ulated little village was doomed. II
was known that Portsiders were very
bitter against the people over the
bridge.
Just as she reached the gate there
came another sound, mingled with the
roar Of thunder, the clash Of bells and
the shouts Of men. 1t was the high.
sweet clang Of the PortsiGe fire bell.
and 1t was followed by the rumble Of
the little engine across the bridge. If
dashed past Almira's gate, dragged bv
score of strong, willing hands. The
hook and ladder truck came in IT'S
wake and there, sitting high on the
seat, steering the truck, was Noah
Wade, his face tense and set in the
glare of the fire.
The devastating storm died away
while the valiant men fought tha
flames that licked greedily at the
frame store buildings and threatened
many nearby home with destruction.
Portstde men and men of Harborhead
worked side by side, and differences
were forgotten In the single aim that
prompted all
Many times that night Almira's heart
failed within her as she watched Noah
risk his life within the flaming build
tngs. Once he brought out a little child
from the tenements over the stores.
and the tenderness with which he bore
the child and placed it in its mothers
arms brought tears to the girls sad
eyes.
And then came the moment when
their eyes met across the flames. The
sudden leap Of recognition In Noah's
glance was answered by Almira's ap-
pealing eyes, and then the smoke hung
between them once, more.
The weeks that followed after the
IRE were not soon forgotten. Differ
ences were patched up and mended so
that they would not again break. Port
side and Harborhead people mingled
together as they had before the DAYS
of the bridge trouble There were
church festivals and entertainments
that We're enjoyed by everybody, and
over all was the feeling Of satisfaction
that the bridge trouble was at an end.
The Harborhead people had grateful
ly announced their willingness that
the bridge should be painted white In
view Of the prompt and neighborly
services of the Portside firemen. Port
side people agreed to abide by choice
by vote
When the vote was counted it was
found that all Harborhead had voted
for white painted bridge, while Port
side had courteously voted for red,
and the vote was tied
Then the question was solved by a
suggestion to paint the bridge green,
and it was done, and so peace reigned
at last, ana there was much passing
to and fro.
At last Noah came over to Harbor-
head and stopped at Almira's gate
Mrs. Turner greeted him pleasantly.
"Almira went over the bridge awhile
ago, Noah. If you walk back you may
meet her." she said.
Noah walked back slowly, watching
for Almiras slender form and dread
Ing to see it beside that of some 9th
er admirer At last she came, step
ping quickly, with now and then a
glance at the rising full moon.
Halfway across she met Noah, and
they both stopped. Noah guided her
gently to the railing where they could
look along the bright moonlit path
that wrinkled the water
ave been to see you, Almira. Your
mother said might meet you," he
said wistfully.
"I-went to Portside to mail a letter
to you, Noah. l thought you might
get it sooner-tonight-an perhaps
you would come. wanted to tell you
how foolish I've BEEN
Noah stopped her words with a swift
caress. "And l was on the way to
tell you what fool I've been, but
we've met halfway, after all.'
When the wedding day came round
both sides thought 1t would be suit
able occasion on which to celebrate the
return of peace, and nothing would do
but that the bridal procession should
pass over the bridge.
The suggestion was acted on, and
a procession of about all the folks in
Harborhead and all the folks in Port
side followed the bride and groom or
strewed flowers before them. a fitting
ending to the troubles that had so long
separated the two towns