Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-03

The next morning Arthur wrote to
President Mayhem detailing the cir
cumstances and the president prompt
ly wrote back that such lawlessness
would not be tolerated. and that the
fire steamer would be properly guard.
ed by the village authorities for reas.
enable length OF time.
Arthur promptly wrote back that the
guard-with the time restriction
would be unnecessary as Taxpayer
Pritchard had offered to shelter the
steamer at his factory where it would
be amply protected until such time
as the selectmen saw fit to bring their
negotiations for its purchase TO close.
Selectman Mayhem glared at this
communication for a moment, but his
face softened as he tossed it aside.
Smart boy" he growled Il suppose
that father of his is proud of him."
At . o'clock the next afternoon a
warm September afternoon, Elroy
Green. a market gardener, went Rno
his well stocked barn in the east "hd
of the village in hopes that he could
destroy a worthless dog that had az
noyed his chickens. His wife had seSp
he mongrel run into the barn and liz
ra had promptly taken down his shot
gun and started the chase.
To ~ ho hu
floor and in his agitation fired at it.
Whether he hit the creature or not
IS of little consequence. He at leas.
succeeded in setting fire to the barn.
For a moment he did not notice the
tiny flame When he saw it he rushed
for water. The fire was beyond his
reach when he came back.
He ran down the roadway. shout
ing an alarm The cry was passed on,
the bell of the town hall rang, the
volunteers came by twos and threes.
A half dozen men pulled out the an
Client hand machine and headed II to
ward the fire. The dragrope was quick
" filled, the tub rumbled up the street,
followed by hose cart and bucket wag-
on-and the Springville volunteer de
partment was in full action
But the fire had gained dangerous
Roadway. A brisk breeze had sprung
up. the barn was all in flames and
blazing embers were whirling thru
the air.
When the alarm sounded Landlord
Bolton, Inventor Pritchard and Ar
thur Brill were in close conversation
on the hotel porch. They watched the
cloud of black smoke rising above the
trees, and the flying embers.
Looks like a bad beginning growl
cd the Landlord. Notice the breeze
Lucky it isn't blowing my way
said John Pritchard Lucky, too, that
we've got the steamer here"
THE steamer Is subject only to the
call of the Springvlle board of select
men," said young Arthur Brill.
The landlord groaned.
"And they're stiff necked enough
10 let the village burn up before they't
ask fot it. Look at that" He polnle
q fiH~er at the smoke. IT'S spreading
all right Say. I'll take the horses dowr
&C. the steamer and bring it and The
cart up here to the hotel. This Is /
central point. What do you say"
Il say yes" replied Arthur. IL
would be well to be in readiness, ne
matter what your stiff necked friend.
may do"
Twenty minutes later the steame
was halted in the hotel yard, read!
for action.
III | am called" said young Arthu
Brill. what water can get?'
"The fire is close TO the Six Mil,
creek" replied the excited londlort
from his seat on the engine. "l'l
drive you to the right spot. Gee, TOOL
at that What are they thinkin;
about?"
II was quite evident that the fir,
was spreading. The breeze was still
brisk and the smoke came rolling VI
In huge volumes.
The inventor and his foreman wer
on the hose wagon; the engineer frOi
the Brill factory, the landlord and Al
thur made up the engines crew.
The young man looked around.
quite an imposing department" h
.aid. We will have to organize ate
this is over'
The landlord gave a sudden star
and clutched the reins over the tear
with a frmer hand.
"See who's coming." he roared.
There was no mistaking the bar
gray head and bent form. The pal
faced man in the light wagon benin
the galloping horse was Ezra Ma.
hew
The young man ran forward
"Mr. Brill" the old man gaspet
'fhe board of selectmen ask your al
at the earliest possible moment
"Yes, sir" responded the Young ma
Ms he sprang to his place. "All read.
Mr. Bolton"
And the apparatus rumbled down ID
street.
Il was a hard fight. nut the sleamC
and its crew won A. The light tame
couldn't stand up under the powerl.