Pluck And Luck (no. 508) (1908 02 26)
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SROBLE (i eke Oot Oi fo 2 Bebene. sccice: fi 7a) SORES OF ADVENTIUR is) fOnleS OPADVeN Une. s Matter at the New..York Post Office, November 7, 1898, by Frank Tousey. Yents. Mntered as Second-Clas FEBRUARY 26, 1908. Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. NEW YORK, heard a great shout from below as the people caught a glimpse of him. He remembered that, and then as the merciless flames touched him behind, he gathered the young girl tightly to his breast, and leaped from the window, ~ Then he
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PLUCK ND LUCK © Stories of Adventure: Issued Weekly ——B: Cada hyo ae .50 per year, Entered as Second-Olass Matter eh the New pan ork, N.Y. Sh get 7, 1898 according to act of Obheiben, in the year 1908, in the office or ae, Te hees: Washington, D. C., by No. 508. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 26, va, oat Coe, Oh Seagal 24 Union Square, New York, 1908. PRICE 5 CENTS. THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS j j ; OR, BURKE HALLIDAY, THE BOY FIREMAN By EX-FIRE-CHIEF WARDEN. \ CHAPTER I. THE FIRE COMPANIES OF REDBORO’. _ "Phe quiet little! village of Redboro’, way back in the moun- tains, some four hours’ ‘ride by rail from New York, was startled one day by the shrill whistle of a locomotive engine. ‘For years and years the village had nestled down between the mountains, in a beautiful little valley; through which flowed, one of the tributary streams of the Susquehanna, with nothing to disturb its Rip Van Winkle slumbers. It had i moved along in the even tenor of its way, with one or two “small factories utilizing the fine water power the little river | afforded, The young men and maidens had grown up to- gether there, and married and settled down to live as ‘their parents had done before them. \ But now all that had changed, The progress. of the age demanded that railroads sanule tap the country in every direction, and bring the treasures of fee > country to the great markets of the nation. - The railroad running westward from the great cities of the - Bast passed through Redboro’, and in a little while the place began to fill up. Capitalists came and saw the immense water power in the little valley and sn bought up land and ' houses. Phe little village began to put on city airs. Great feetoneh went up all along the water Saab and tenement houses for the use of the operatives went up with them, With the population thus increased, new fields of enterprise opened to men of every calling. Merchants, mechanics, lawyers and doctors came in, all eager .. to grow up with the country. a No wonder that old settlers at sleepy, little Redboro’ opened ‘their eyes in astonishment. They thought the good, old days had gone forever, and that the world was slipping away from them. They would look around in a dazed ‘sort of way at the _ tenement houses reaching up to five and six stories in height, standing on ground where they had sigh when barefooted urchins. 3 Built of wood, it prea up like tinder, and davacal tives were lost. ; Me That was a: terrible experience for Redboro’. 3 i. Such a thing had never happened there before in the * men~- ory of. the oldest inhabitant, and it was the talk of the town BF for days and weeks thereafter. The property owners became alarmed. A They realized that the whole town could be swept away in a few hours, and not a fire engine in the place. | ’ A meeting of citizens was called, at which the situation was discussed, It was resolved to organize a fire company at once, and volunteer members were called for. The young men, and a good many who were not sor pore young, volunteered with great enthusiasm. So many dearest: to join that a second company was organized. Then a hook and ladder company was called for and. the, roll promptly filled up. The whole town was full of the ‘sub- ject. F ‘Ty organizing the second company a youth net more than seventeen years old desired to join.. He was a sturdy, young fellow, with laughing, blue eyes and pleasant, open counte- © ~ nance, and had the reputation of being the fastest runner, — best leaper and most expert boxer in Redboro’. Everybody Ms liked Burke Hanae for his many good qualities of head and heart. ae One young man ohigered to him on the ground that. he was “& boy. ” A r ig did you cease to be one yourself, z Burke mawnantiy Y asked the dudish objector, ‘which brought down the house and — made the dude as mad as a ho ; “We don’t want any boys, ue eal the re ‘ Nia They wat be, in our way at a fire.” fi “So they will,” retorted Burke; “so you had nettle tay Be away now. I am a boy. I expect to be one as long as I live, and when my hega is gray a he one of ‘the old pista still.” ; f ; * \ =" “By jingo! ” exclaimed one. of ye others, “I like that kind — ; of talk. He's got the stuff in him, I move that we. tack two. vy. |years more onto him and take him ‘in. x! Redboro’ was no longer a “Sleepy: Hollow”, settlement, ie » It was carried with a hurrah, and. Joe Pendergast, tha 3 young a thriving young a with | ‘a Tushing, pushing, busy popula tion with whom (oo) petition was the life of trade, uN? One ‘night a fire brok out ‘in one of th the tenement houses, saan ‘who ‘ohjectd, was as mad ine hornet. He was: Jaughed if be Se doit ‘company. :
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B THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTERRS. ~ “What shall we eall the company?” Jack Alton, who had been elected foreman, asked. “Gall it ‘The Boys’ Company,’ ” suggested Joe, with a sneer. “Call it the ‘Dude Fireman’s Company,’ ” suggested another, ’ “in honor of Joe Pendergast.” Joe was mad. He. sprang to his feet and shook his fist at the speaker, saying: “T can wallop ti: ‘dude’ out of you in two miinutes, Bill Hawkins!” “But I’m nota ‘dude,’ ” sath Bill, laughing good naturedly. “I'm a fireman, What are you?” “Ym a man!” he replied, drawing himself up with great dignity. Hawkins gave a prolonged whistle, at which there was a roar. Of laughter. SE move we eall it “The Wide Awake,’ ” suggested Burke Halliday, the youngest, member of. the company. ; “That’s a good name,” said Alton. “I like it very much.” Jack was an old New York fireman, who had seen much service in the city. The nanie was. adopted—as were the old, red shirt and fire- man's hat. , , Jack called them together every night to give them points, hey met in a vacant building, the use of NR ace had been endered them, At last the engines’ and ‘the hook-and-ladder- truck, hosel carriages and hose came, and a grand parade in’ aoe fol- lowed the day after their arrival. 5 / Such an excitement had never been seen in Redboro’ before, % d everybody, turned out to make a gala day of it. The old settlers dooked on in wondering amazement at the progress of ' Young America, One evening Burke heard the for eman telling about a negro who belonged to the engine he was’ attached to dn New York. He was, interested. | “By. George!” he exclaimed, “that’s just the racket! must have a ‘coon,’ too, to bring us water at a hot fire.” The: others laughed. “Oh, you may laugh, but we're ‘going to have the ‘coon’! I Know the one we want.” ee \egeimaie: Jack smiled; and remarked: I “T guess Joe would draw the Tine at coons.’ “Of course he will; but what do we care for that? Joe isn’t much of a fireman, anyway.” / “What's your coon’s name?” - - *Pete Echols, but, he is known only as, Pete. “What's he good for?” “Good for anything—fight, fun, fire and work, 4 “That's rather a remarkable combination of g00d qualities : for one coon to possess. Bring him around and let us see ’ We Pe Ste f ‘him. “We have got to have’ | handyman around to look after, (Sites. and if we can pick up a good coon, so much the better.” “That evening Burke brought Pete to the headquarters of the : Wide Awake fire company. ee ‘He was as black as tar, about twenty years of age, strong as ‘a mule, and as good-natured as a sunbeam. _. “Here’s your curly head,” -said eerS cede ng ‘Pete to 8 a foreman. Jack looked at sit Pes head to foot, ana: then asked | "Burke: Na “\ ie eS sha Fs “Do. you know him?” ae “Yes.” F of 4 ; V i “How long?” Oe: = H ashi by } » “Five or ae HST WENN Raat ewan ae “Ig pe honest?” OS “Yes—you can tiga d sae with + anything a chicken, | 2, hae / reached the fire about two minutes ahead of the Redboro’ Barua |had been saturated with oil. ‘getting out of the different rooms: in time to And their” He draws the line at chickens—a fishing line with a grain of corn on the end of it.” “Hol on dar, Burke,” said Pete, “I doan’ want none ob dat. Dis heah am bizness.” “Of course it is. That’s what you say to the chickens,” re- turned Burke.. “But we'll drop that, as we have nothing to do. with chickens. He's just the coon we want, Jack.” Jack thought so, too, and Jack had the say about it. Pete became a member of the company in a way. i ‘When the new engine house was finished the beautiful en- gine was placed/in it, and the hall upstairs became a sort of clubroom for the use of the members of the company, The other company adopted the name of The Redboro’ Fire * Company, and elected an old ex-fireman foreman. His name 4 was Kaufman. Ele was a German who had been in as owiee country many years. aes made the mistake of referring to the Wide Awraneed s “de poys’ gompany,” and it soon reached their ears. er raat at once excited 4. rivalry. between the two companies, i which did more than anything: else to urge the Wide Awakes er to an incessant drill in the’ use of their engine. ‘ } Jack Alton was a thorough~ -going fireman, and had resolved to bring the young company behind him to the front as ris % superior of the other. The boys really longed for. a fire in order that they raigilt be able to try thei&hband at it and show the town what they : could do. oe ; ; At last the alarm came,!/ Bi a die The firebell located the fire, and in a mioment every member ri of the two companies sprang from the work he was. doing and made for their headquarters | at full speed. At the first tap of the bell Pete threw open the door of the | engine-house and laid out the rope by which the boys were to pull it. They laid hold and dashed away at full speed, and . The fire was an old frame building which burned like’ shay: Ns ings. Nothing could save it, and sc Jack ae the hose one the other houses to-save: them, In the adjoining ee, lived, a well-to- do ‘family named Houghton, ( The, family remained in the building until ‘the stent heat from the flames set it on fire, ©) Then the whole side seemed to ‘blaze up all at once, as sit vit! Of course the family were panic- net ie and’ made ete efforts to save eesti aaa The house was. filled with. ‘idiee < down the stairs. : Bessie Houghton, the young se yanted asl dsueniee the family, succeeded in setting: ons aes she Jooked wildly, around for her mother. © ; At “Oh, my mother—my. poor mother! she screamed. Instantly Jack Alton sprang through the tongue of. fame that shot out of the door, and disappeared from sight, A cry of horror went up from the crowd. 4. “They had never seen anything like that in Redboro’ nies and now they expected to see his oharr ed Panes: in ‘the pee $4 the next day. : ‘ i, unsiee pe But they were “doomed to. be surprised that day, tm more, ways than one. : . A, couple of minutes Jater ‘he reappeared —rolled out: ce the. bo ground with ae mother in his. ote 3 Both. were | aeaely: € suffocated. ‘ RD Bessie was tone cating. mother and her aunt. iF as there another in th
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THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. “Yes—my aunt—my Aunt Peggy is in there!” is : had him faaaed a into the nearest ae store, where ; al -physi- - Four men made unsuccessful efforts to get into the house; | cian took him in charge. j but the flames fairly boiled out of the door and drove them} ‘The two. buildings were destroyed, bas ‘the pveeees super back. : human efforts of the firemen. saved the others nearby. The’. Bessie’s mother now joined her cries to those of her daugh- faithful fellows remained to. keep up a steady stream of water ter, and from the two it was learned that the aunt lived in the : playing on the embers as long as any possible. danger u room up one flight—at the head of the »stairs. ened, ; ‘b “Too late! Too late!” eried ‘several firemen, as the last one| At the drug store it was: ‘found that Burke was quite aa was driven back by the flames. ously burned, about his face and hands, and that he had ; Bessie looked around with a despairing look in her face, ag! haled so much. hot smoke that it made him very ill. bs if in search of someone, - clothes were, so. ae acorehed that they came off) cae Burke Halliday was the one nearest to her in his yed shirt | handling him, and helmet. Such is the aaa admiration which the. average ees or wo- > She sprang to his side, ‘cateht him with both hands and | man has for heroism of any kind, that no demonstration of | cried: ; _ [that quality ever fails to meet its just reward in the way of “Won't you save my poor aunt?” -| applause. Everybody in Redboro’ knew rollicking Burke Hak “I'll try,” replied Burke, and pulling the helmet well down |liday as a daring, “saucy youth, with many good alte over his eyes, he made a run and leaped through the open | head and héart, But that he had the stuff in hing, t ra door right in the face of a seething blast of red flame. heroes are made of was a revelation to them. st “Hol on dar! Hol’ on dar, I tole yer!” screamed black} They had seen him do what stern, strong men shrank TO; Pete, almost beside hiniself when he saw Burke make the run. | doing, andhad saved the life of ah sais woman! But before the last word fell from his lips the young: fireman expense of his own. SAPs ee as RR 5 had disappeared from sight. A cry of shuddering amazement| “Brave boy!” they cried. fa hae oi went up from firemen and ‘spectators alike. — “He's a, hero!” chorused hundreds, ‘ ¥ *The boy is lost!” groaned Jack Alton. “My God!” gasped Joe Pendergast. “What does the young fool mean?” re, Bessie Houghton was dumfounded oe the terrible doom to which she’ believed the youth had rushed at her solicitation, and instantly ceased her cries. She held her breath as she fastened her eyes on the spot where she Had last seen the young fireman, A cry—a single cry from the crowd caused eyer yone to look up at the window of che aunt’s room. There stood the youth with the form of a little old woman in his arms, — Her clothing was on fire, and she appeared to be uncon- scious. Ses Badia a acetad “The ladder! The ladder!’ ” eried Alton, with a frantic energy that startled eyeryone. ~ % little drug store iene he had. been raga’ to hae thes of his injuries and sympathize with him. “How is he, doctor?” some man in the crowd ‘abled, as san docto® came out of the drug store, ered “Fe is pretty badly roasted,” was the reply, but hell. be fight in a week or two.” — He was laid on a ‘stretcher and earried hotne”-the’ ‘er making a passage for him as the bearers’ bore him along) They followed him to his~humble home. His widowed mother was frantic with grief, ‘but grew calmer whea the, doctor assured her that he. was. in no danger whatever, © When the Wide Awakes returned to their headquarters hey appointed a committee to visit the humble home of Burke Halliday and express to. hie and his mother aoe sense of his) But Burke could not wait for the ladder. heroic conduct. 3 He made a motion to throw his burden out of the inter | “The boy has proved ‘ihniset the man of the company, m o, and Jack rushed forward, crying out: _ | Jack Alton, the foreman. — pet “Let her drop!” The next day pretty Bésste Houghton, OBE os by. he He did let her drop, and Jack caught fos: father, called at the cottage and asked to see Burke. She was The next moment Burke sprang out, and landing on his eee shown into the room where he lay on his back on his bed. ‘rolled over on the ground gasping like one in the last stage| “Oh, Mr. eieday hy, ”, She’ ered, a hope tet are not: much of suffocation, ‘| hurt.” i “Well, I hope SO, too". Sata, “but 1 am in. very 2 pain, Burns are not pleasant things to have, you know. Ho is your aunt?” xy “She is burned in a few spots, but feels so thankful ov her escape alive that she says she don’t mind’ the pain. . here. She sent me here to give you these as a token of h re When’ Burke struck the eee a wild shout wen up from | gratitude for your heroic conduct,” and she displayed a hand- % the thousands of spectators who witnessed - ‘his daring , act. | some gold watch. and a well- -filled 2 k purse, both of wh ‘ it: They made a rush to: “get him, but the. firemen one: the few | she laid on the table beside him, ; % policemen managed to ar ive them back, j Burke looked at them in silence for'a te ane or two, Jack turned the little old woman over to some. “pieiids of | then said: Bes the family, and hastened to look after Burke, © “T am sagt obliged to you, “Miss Bessie, but —I can’ The young fireman was as limp aS a rag, and utterly, oblivi- cept pein. for. doing datics, I did. 2 am a - firert oo ous to what was going on about him. “Burke, my boy!” he called, shaking him rough t CHAPTER IL. 57a BURKE, THE YOUNG HERO, é oe ia “Bait you, must: da: them ee “her nae said bates hurt? Speak, Burke, old fellow! My God, I fear he BR killed! »y you do- not it will, break her heart, and ‘she is such a At that moment the” ‘greatest excitement ever known in good ‘old soul. ‘She says she would have been roasted to dea Redboro’ was in full sway. The people, carried away by the but for you. She doesn’t | talk of anything - else, and ‘she t intrepid daring of the youth, rushed forward to aid him, push- coming to see you: just as soo dng ‘the! firemen : themselves alae Anty ‘the flames. paca |y panes use Os ay will accept them, now. ie poe :
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THE PRIDE “OF THE VOLUNTEERS. p in the purse. They were poor—very poor—having nothing but “Oh, that wouldn’t do,” remarked his mother, “for people _ ) ‘his small wages which he earned in one of the mills, and what | would say I had bought it with this money.” his mother and young sister earned with their needles. Bessie’s eyes filled with tears. “Burke Halliday,” she said, “when my last hope was gone “Well, then, just wait till I get out again, and I’ll see about it myself.” In another week he was out, and had been on the street. “yesterday I turned to you'and begged you to save my poor| The Wide Awakes gave him a reception at the engine-house ‘aunt, of your own life. Bake. I have set my heart on it. You cannot refuse me the / pleasure, I know.” ‘+ ‘How could he? y You quickly sprang forward and saved her at the risk| that was attended by quite a number of ladies, among them I now ask you again to accept these for my Bessie Houghton, She was the prettiest-girl in the room, and was sought after by more than any other. Joe Pendergast had been paying her Bessie was about his own age, and very} some attention for months, and she was somewhat partial to | pr etty. He had known her all his life, and bilge admired | him. But on this evening she seemed disposed to give all her dy her, » “Yes, I'll do it!” he said, after a pause of several moments, ~ “Oh, thank you ever so much!” she said. how glad you make me! You have made me your friend for titel” \ *Burke, my boy,” said Bessie’s father, taking his hand, “you| ruin him as sure as fate. The | long stand such flattery without becoming yain and ‘conceited. ft ave made every man in Redboro’ your fast friend. thole town is ‘talking about you, and we owe you qa debt of | smiles to the hero of the hour. “Burke is the hero of all our firemen,” she said to Joe, Mand “You don’t, know | your company ought to be proud of him,” That was a bitter dose for Joe, hating Burke as he did, “He is a brave fellow,” he remarked, “but, you ladies will No boy—and he is nothing else—can “T hope for better things for Burke,” she replied, “though watitude we ‘don’t know how we can vepay. When you get|I know a' good many men become: very conceited without, any | Ser this comie to my “ere you can earn better pay than, at the mill.” Iam much obliged to you, sir,” said Burke, his eyes filling fith tears. “I'll accept your offer for mother’s sake.” ' \*He loves his mother,” said Mrs. Halliday. store, and Tlt’give you a place there flattery at all. Burke seems to have a great deal of hard sense, |} though, and it may not hurt him.” peo} Another week passed, and old Peggy Bethune, accompanied by Bessie. Houghton, paid a visit to the Halliday cottage. “He has been a! Burke was not at home, and Mamie went in quest of him. She od boy,” and the proud look in her’eyes told that the tribute | found him down at the sags att and carried him mate is from;‘her heart. “TI khow he is,” said Mr. Houghton. “We all know Burke. Von’ forget to call on’ me, my boy,” and Mr. Houghton shook ‘ome at her leisure. Jetty and industrious. ‘ythan\a speaking acquaintance between the two ‘girls hereto- (fore; but now they talked like old friends. Old Peggy Bethune was the maiden aunt of Bessie Hough- gn’ s. mother. 4d" in all things. a 6 who loved her dearly for her good qualities. pssie and Mamie talked about many things that interested im, but during the conversation Bessie spoke of Burke as 4 } al hero, which greatly pleased Mamie, /“Brother. hever was afraid of anything,” said his sister, roudly, “and he is ‘as good as he is brave.” oy MN brave mien, are, good-hearted,” remarked, Bessie; Mat Be p ast I’ve always heard they were.” Boia guess it’s true,” Mamie said. : ¢ "| Bessie finally took her leave, saying she wae: come again te soon as her ‘aunt was able to get out and come with her. « $Mother,” said ‘Burke, as soon as she was fone “you take the 1 purse and sis, the watch.” es brother!” exclaimed Mamie, wie astonishment, “you, mast keep. the watch yourself.” © is ; “My ee sis hasn’t got any watch,’ W said miata, laughing, 1 oe dinner thos | by my stomach. # ney “ha dso mist money before’ at any . time, and it rade ham fe! agen to. the time being. ite ed You 89 pei injured by. ye Bee said ‘his. ‘mother, That eae clued 4 he. replied, “and gnds with him and went away, leaving, Gi vig to return | day” Bessie remained to talk with the widow and Mamie Halli-| her good-naturedly. i day: ‘The sister was twa years younger than her brother, very You know a fellow can’t set. away seas her when she gets There had never been anything more | after him. an She was rich and eecéntric, but generous and | do what you did and failed. She had been living for years: with her|T’ll. burn you worse than that. if you ever call me Miss , Such was| Bethune again. Iam Aunt Peggy to you and, your mother wad mpersony whom Burke had snatched from the jaws of death, | sister, {iat 4 ‘| claimed Burke. . I'd soon. break it. ‘Besides, I can al- } given a situation where he could e | and groceries. v4 iff home with her. / The old lady took both his ‘had in hers, “m6 said: “T have come to thank you for hei) my life, Bushes Halli- and——” “Oh, that’s all right, Miss Bethuné,” he Tata, sitoveupttsis “Thank Bessie~she put me. up to it. ‘ Bessie laughed and blushed hen! ene heard ‘him’ ‘say that, ‘}aud was about to speak, when, old Aunt Peggy said: “Yes, I know all that, \Burke.| Several other men tried to Iam sorry you were hurt, ‘put Do you hear that?” “Yes, Aunt ‘Peggy. # ‘ “There! That’s a good boy. If re were fifty. years younger than I am I’d set my cap, for you.” a “Why, Aunt Peggy, Hee are ube fifty years ae yet? ox “You young rascal! Don't ‘you cas foley me!’ ake can’t do it,” and they all. joined ina hearty ugh together. ot After further conversation Bessie said: sna Yay _ “Father told me to tell you that he was in need ‘of angehee | clerk in the store, and that you could have the Position it ales wanted it,” : “J do want it,” he ‘replied, very “frankly. f “Then. ‘go down there and taxe it,” ale Aunt Posey. 6y will go after, dinners: 3 — Oh, T am $0 glad!” said ‘Mamie, passing her arm around — Bessie’s waist. i { ' °h “So am I,” returned Besse, “for es ‘isch a | great help to ky t , Ws FE In the afternoon ‘Burke: went oe to the store and “ee i n decent pay, and a cl was instructed to initiate ae into ‘em _ The very: next day after. he was iviailed. behind ihe o r Burke saw black Pete enter the store and look
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» r al THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. - aes “Dar you is, Burke,” replied Pete. “I declar’ ter gracious I’se glad ter see yer. nigger fren’, Burke.” “Don’t lose your nut, Pete. time,” extending his hand. “T tole ’em dat,” said Pete, grasping his hand and sharing: it | warmly, and then he turned away and left the store. CHAPTER Iii. THE BATTLE OF THE FIREMEN, Tt was at least a half mile down the main street, and they Don’t yer go fo’ ter go back on yer|had a fair field for a swift run, But they had not gone but two blocks when ‘the Redboro’s I’m Burke Halliday all the came into the street right alongside of them ~ That made a race for the fire a natural result, and it began. Jack Alton was game, He placed his trumpet to his lips and called out: Bey ie “First at the fire, boys!” ‘ '“Wide Awake!” yelled Burke, and the young: firemen sprang forward at the top of their speed. The young men were better runners than the older ones, and gradually shoved ahead of them in the race. A wild hurrah burst from them: when they saw they were beating the other company, and the rush and roar of the two , .“What.did he want?” Mr. Houghton asked of Burke; having | engines. as they sped down Main street called Sree to the seen the meeting Without having been able to hear what was }front doors and windows. said. “Nothing,” replied Burke. The fire was in a vacant building, and as the Wide Awakes “He belongs down at the Wide | threw the first stream of water'on it.a cheer went up from Awake enginé-house, where some of the boys had been telling | the spectators, him that I wouldn't shake hands with him ee I have left the mill and became a clerk.” “Ts that so?” “Yes. sir.” “What did you tell him?” “I told him I was the same old Burke Halliday, and shook hands with him. Pete is a jolly good nigger, sir, and a’ great friend of mine, and I never go back on a friend.” The merchant looked at him in silence {oe a minute or, ines and said: ; “You did right, Burke. Never get too proud to recognize a friend, no matter how humble he may be,” aud he grasped ‘his hand in token of his approbation of his course. . Arfew moments later a half dozen young girls came in, and all. seemed to want the young fireman to wait on them. Burke was ere and obliging, Rein a. jgood, word and a smile! for each, F gees} : ‘ Bessie, ‘the . aca daughter, came in every day, and never left without having a few words with him; and some- times Aunt Peggy came with her. him her “boy,” and would insist,on his coming, up to the . house) sof evenings to, see her, But’ it was at the, engine-house of a a where Burke felt most ‘at Home. Jack and Hal, Halsey had taken up a colléction gis the eommpany, and had a silver badge of honor made which they presented Burke in the name of the company.. \ Burke was thunderstruck. He hadn’t dreaiied of anything of the kind, and said, with tears in his eyes: “T am very miich obliged to you fellows. I am 1 only. a boy yet, but I'll be a man after awhile.” > { “Youre a man now,” replied Jack, “and bt Dest in the company, so let up on that.” — io ae j “That'll do for you, Jack,” said Burke. The little old lady called’ “My mother will be | The fire was soon nAder control after both engines hocul to play on it, and in an hour’s time it was quenched entirely, * But as the engines were about to leave to return. to stiéte respective quarters, someone of the Wide Awakes ealled out to the Redboro’s: “Why don’t you fellers get up and hustle yourselves: when you start for a fire?” am The Redboro’ crowd was mad at satan ‘pola second” in reaching a fire, and did not care to be guyed by anybody,” “We don’t want any lip from you fellows,” replied. one ae bss fr Hi their number. : “f “You want more leg and less lip’ said Burke, at which t plang ie was 4 roar of laughter at the expense of the Redboro’ 3) st eer “Py shiminy!” exclaimed Kaufman, the big Dutch foreman of the Redboro’s, shaking his trumpet: at Burke, “Aug evil say. dot ‘so tnuch ‘I preak you lip mit be! non Burke laughed and cried out: > - ; 2 ie Sauerkraut! a ; ‘Another roar, and the exasperated | “Germah’ ran up and struck him with his trumpet. ‘ haa Bete That was enough. pate ae _ A general free fight: instantly followed, jana: nearly two score » of men began ‘pummeling each other with might’ ‘and main, ‘Jack Alton saw Kaufman strike Burke, and the next moment he was wiping up the ground’ with him, ert aio : The police tried in vain to separate'them.’ The moment one — couple were parted another clenched, and so the ‘fight went on, It lasted nearly half an hour without either company get) ‘ting the adyantage. By that time the mayor came up and pe-- A gan calling on them to desist. ’ 1 By degrees, peace was restored, but nearly one-half the com-. batants had black eyes. and bruised faces. A few noses were out of joint. 5 ‘ Rtg Both companies. returned & thetr quarters, vowing ven~; proud of this,” and he seemed to appreciate it more in that} geance against each other at some future time.” light than as a metento of his own daring deed, | (i. “Tm getting awful sick of all this gush over that boy, ” re. marked Joe Pendergast to one of the firemen at his ‘side, “and | feet to hasten to his post.’ * think it is about time we were Jetting up on him. paoden of anything.” . . #Just what I think, , too,” said. the. other. thing at: ‘the fire, but bi ought to, let’ up on it Aht There's the bell!” ye? { The. fire-bell struck, and fwa an instant the firemen were don- a wai is ning red ‘shirts and helmets, and rushing downstairs to the| 2 ‘ont of _ engine-ro m, whetfe black Pete Ne ress pi in “readiness | women and chide en _sereamin ran “Burke did a big. screams of the women: as soon as he left the store, ea Two days later another alarm sounded. a eae It was a sudden, sharp call, and every fireman sprang to. his” : g 1 p ye “The fire was in a tall tenemient. house si two blocks away from Houghton’ s store. Burke’ Saw the smoke and heard’ ma The thought that he might be able to save ‘life if a has tened to the fire at ‘once, instead (0) going ‘to Sing Stee key sent him fBore a full speed. , :
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4% “Keep quiet!” he yelled, “or you'll all roast to death!” So clear and fearless were his tones that they instantly terrible destroyer. obeyed him. Just then his feet struck a pile of clothes lines. Taking it up, he called out to the women: “Take hold of the rope, all of you, and run downstairs with Tl hold to this end.” They instantly obeyed him, and the next moment all the it. women and children seized the pe and started down the} When about half-way the heel of his shoe stuck in a knot-hole stairs. ‘He pulled steadily ‘to prevent them from falling on the _stairs, till they all reached the sidewalk. Then he drew up’ the rope, ran to the front window just as | thrust the nozzle into the hole; twisting it at an angle of forty- the Wide Aiwakes dashed up, threw one end out, crying to| five degrees from the window, and left it there. those below: “Tie the hose pipe and’send it up!” _ They tied it, and the next instant Burke began to haul it up,|he dared to. hand over hand, while huge black volumes boiled out the win- dow all round him. CHAPTER IV. THE JEALOUS CLERK AND THE YOUNG FIREMAN’S DISCHARGE. | ', Whenever a great peril threatens an individual an all- ‘ absorbing interest at once centers in that person, Everybody great joy. who becomes aware of the danger that menaces the individual _ instantly becomes a mental speculator on the imperiled one’s chances of escape, though a tremendous. excitement may be Taging at the moment. : Soit° was in the case of Burke Halliday when he began drawing the hose up to the fourth story window of the burn-! have fastened the pags up ihekes ing tenement house. When they saw the dense volume of black smoke boiling out THE -PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. — eanetgent a aeanrinueie Sonat Oe eggs ener semen Sheree He could not run down the only flight in the face of eet. FPS He knew he would be curled and twisted by ae intehse heat like a green leaf on a red-hot stove. To Stay there two min- utes longer would be the end of him. “T am in for it,” he thought, “unless I leap from the win- dow, and I’d as soon roast as die-from such a fall as that.” But be staggered toward the window, gasping for breath. \in the floor of the room. Instantly he dropped on his knees and felt of the hole. — “Thank God for it!” #e gasped, and the next moment he Then he made a break for the window and climbed out, ~ clinging to the hose, down which he began to slide as fast as The moment the spectators saw him they began to lathe 1g “There he is! There he comes! Hold hard, Burke!” Se ie elle lad!” sung out Alton, through ae speaking-trum-, i /*Slide down easy—steady.” ee wirke was a good climber, and well understood how . } “shin it” up a tree or slide down a rope, and in another /min- ute his \feet touched the ground. : The crowd and firemen yelled together in their joy at see — ing the brave youth come ont of the terrible peril alive. “Burke, my’ boy! »’eried Alton; almost hugging him in , : “Tt was a close call for you that time.” my “The closest I ever had,” he replied. “Are you hurt?” “T don’t know. , I think I was scorched in a few pInER Ey but didn’t have time to think about it.” * Just see What you have done!” cried Joe pididstient: “You and a BN we can’t throw any” pet water!” ” Ma “What good ean water do on a cuiee box like thate” Alton: Be of the window all around him they at once ‘began to reckon up | asked. x wurde the actual chahces of his escape from a horrible death by fire. Hundreds he d their, breath. in momentary expectation of seeing him tumble out of the window, -half-suffocated by the smoke. - Jack Alton, very soon regretted that nd had allowed him to draw up the hose instead of ordering him to. ‘come down always getting himself or the company into trouble. | at once. But it was too late to attempt to pull it away from | no business to go up there and monopolize he ea gam ote him,’ and so he watched him with breathless interest. The higher the hose was drawn the heavier it pecame, and _it was seen that the gallant young. hero was exerting all his back, A little later the hose dropped to the ground, a is strength to get the pipe in his hands. © / ‘Even the owner of the building rushed up to Alton and said: “But we'll lose the nozzle!” 4 sine “Yes—hbetter lose that than our Burke, * was the cool aol Joe looked as though he didn’t, think so, and turned to- ait 3 others to. growl and sneer. i “They ought. to put a block on that boy,” he said, “He is. He had — pany’s work.” ~~ The heat became so great that the firemen had ze, nave: been severed by the fire. At first it was not known that” the young hero had been yrs “The people are all out of the building, no lives are in instrumental in saving life in the tenement house fire, and — ; » peril; and the property is past saving. Tell the boy to save | some ‘complained that the foremen should have ordered him ( himself.” Jack agreed with him, and placing Hie speaking see to|draw the hose his lips, sung out: “Drop the hose and save s yourself, fai For answer Burke pulled his hat further down over his head and tugged away with redoubled energy. ; 5 down from the bagce 5 pbuilding, instead of allowing him to p to the fourth “story window. ; Sie Tn But the smoke had scarcely ceased to go up Hon the ruins ‘| pefore the truth was. known. 5 The women and children: whose lives he had saved began to tell, their story end sound his praises, and Redboro” had ‘At last he got the nozzle in his hands and turned the water another ‘sensation. loose on the fire at the further end of the room. The town ‘paper spoke of im as the puis of “the volunteer -It struck the ceiling and spread out into.a broad sheet and firemen. almost instantly extinguished the flames. But the fire in the | Everybody took him by the hand, and congratulated niin) @ and halls and rooms below sent. such a dense volume of smoke | men who had neyer taken any notice of him before now took, _ gle to be futile. ‘That he nou. rae: to Pele! was now plain. But how? ; 4 That. was the ‘auestion, nan omit soe licking out etry, to reach ae ; PE tele es _ pouring into the room that he found ‘all his tremendous strug- | him by. the hand and called him a hero. A jong, red tongue of flame liad already run a tha stairway, : ‘ He went back to the store and started to Fears his work, ‘but in a little while discovered that He had been burnec several places, and asked ‘permission, to go hom) ~The news flew around tha he wa ‘hurt, andsin 1 na our’s time the hig other was fi ed re
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oeyour friend» for life.” THE PRIDY OF THE VOLUNTEERS. anxious visitors, all eager to know the extent of his injuries. Bessie Houghton and old Aunt Peggy agin ceiies to- gether, “Is my boy hurt again?” old Peggy asked. “Not much,” next room. “Only scorched a. little. morrow all right.” ‘ “Oh, Burke!” cried Bessie, “you have risked your life again for others! How generous and noble of you to do so.” Burke laughed. replied Burke, who overheard the query in the I'll be at my post to- 4 He didn’t have much sentiment about him, and so replied: “What else could Ido? Stand out on the street and yell and throw. water?” “No—you did just what a hero should do,” she replied. I were a man I’d do that way, too, I believe.” “TE Burke looked up at her in no little ‘surprise. He didnt, think she had so much spirit. Extending his hand to her, he said: d “T believe you would. - You can understand me, then?” “Yes—I do understand,” she said, grasping his, hand and ‘shaking it warmly, “and we are the best of friends, Burke.” Old Aunt Peggy shook hands with him also, and asked sev- eral times about the extent of his hurts. He assured her that he was more fatigued than hurt—strained by the heavy pull on the hose pipe. “I didn’t know how heavy it was,” he said, “and don’t be- lieve I could pull it up to that fioor again eyen to save my life.” ih hope you won't ever have to run such’ a risk again,” said Aunt Peggy, “though you should always stand ready to aid anyone in peril.” - « *Yes’m,” said Burke. “That's me all over. I can’t see any- one in danger of being roasted and not give a helping hand.” “Of course not, nor could any other brave man,” said the benevolent old lady, “and whet yon did for me has made me { x th { “Thanks, Aunt Peggy, ” ‘said ha. when I hear you say that.” “And don’t forget that I’m as grateful as she is, Burke,” said Bessie, giving him one of her sweetest smiles as she spoke. “That is better than gold,” and he laughed es he took her pretty little dimpled hand in his and looked into her laugh- f ing brown eyes. 124 { “J am more’ than paid 7 “started to leave, the old lady said: “You must come and see méz-your PereG ir iond Biter your dear mother.” — ; “T shall be sure to do bag. ” he‘ replied. j The next day Burke was at the store again, and scores of . young ladies came in on pretense of buying something Just to, get a chance to speak to the young hero. ve ‘One day, about a week after the tenement house’ fire, Bessie ‘Houghton and another young. lady came into the store. been regarded as a future junior partner in the: house), Sone forward to wait on them. i Bessie managed to get rid of him and have Burke attend s her wants. Dingly was furiously mad, but said nothing, He had been paying attentions to Bessie for several months, So much 6) that many of their friends believed that it would be: a match in the near future, Nothing of a tender nature had ever passed between them, and yet ae was Pig gab as oo co BEN company. 2 Fs From that day young Dingly, who was some ten years: older fee our hero, grew so jealous of the young fireman that. he) had: eeeet difficulty in. OS ceasu! it from, others, % Gus Dingly, the head salesman of the store (and who had long ‘ jealousy. on ‘the part of anyone, and § 80 wont on in the even ‘tenor of his way. One day, however, he was eatoratted to. — Dingly reprove him very sharply about some *goods, ese! out of ghd in a certain part of the store. ; “Why, I didn’t take them down be replied. “Yes, you did,” persisted Dingly: — “You are mistaken—I did: not.” - i “But I say $ou did—and'I want you to put. eee up eae: it Burke looked. at. him in nae mene secon Dingly glaring back in return, asked: fesse “Are you going to put them up?” : “Oh, yes,” and hé turned to = began replacing the moe on the’ shelf, When he had put up abou. hatt of. them, Willie Simmons, % another clerk, came from the farther ‘end of the store, and said: | “Hello, Burke! Just wait a minite or two and rn ‘a them te _|back. I didn’t mean to leaye them there.” “Did you take them down?” Burke asked. “Yes—about half, an hour ago.” “Mr, Dingly says you didn’t;”. returned parks: who knew that the head salesman was listening to what was. being said. — “But I did for all that.” ““T know you did,” said Burke, satis a wiceeA look out, of the corner of his S708 at panel “But he insists that I did ite, , “What's the matter with him? Ts he off his pase?” *Too much for me, ASk me something easier.” Dingly turned red in the face as-he heard aa, conversation, bat said nothing at the time. Burke, however, was determined to have him correct his — mistake, and asked Willie to go to him and ten him that he ‘had left the goods on the counter. =m tyew all three laughed, and, as Aunt Peggy and her niece | an f : ¥ - x the Saas : “No matter,” said Dingly, “let Burke put ’em He} He is getting too important around, here.” When Willie repeated his words to Burke ‘the young /hero’s eyes flashed.” He went. over to Dingly and said: “You know pe who lied about. those goods. Was it vu: or. me?” \ “You had better go to your counter and attend strictly to business, or you'll get bounced,” replied. Dingly. “Who lied—you or me?” Burke asked again: “Go te your counter, sir,” ordered ene pa “Who lied, Dingly, you or me?” — oF "Go to your counter, I tell you!” - “Who lied?” Burke asked again, very coolly.” " “What’ 8 the tnatter here?” Mr, ah aN asked, coming up at the moment. “That boy is insolent because I ordered him to place goods back on the shelves,” said Dingly. . “Ts that all?”- Burke asked, e “What's the matter, Burke?” Mr. ‘Houghton asked. Burke explained and pee, up Willie to corroborate his story. 1° , he doesn’t answer, I t Will. manly enough to apologize when he oe done another | an in- justice. » : store. I won’t Stay under the same roof with him.’ i ies ‘He was white with ‘rage.’ ee “Just let it drop till you. Bot 0 over your. anger, Gus,” saat SR ed Mr, Houghton, ; Pi “No, sir, Take your choice, * and he put 1is hat to’ lea “And now T simply, want to ask-him who lied—he or I Tt/, a He claims td be aman, but isn’t “Mr. Houghton,” said Dingly, “either he or L tint Teave nts cf
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THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. 8 right over to Mr, Winthrop’s and take a place. I am much | \\ obliged to you for your kindness to me. Good-by, Gus. Be a_ good boy and keep your nose clean,” and picking up his hat, | he walked out of the store without speaking a word to any- One - else. CHAPTER V. s DINGLEY’S CHICKENS GO-HOME TO ROOST. Burke walked over dceross the way into the store of Josiah Winthrop—a rival of Houghton’s, and a very prosperous mer- chant—and said to the proprietor: “Mr. Winthrop, you said you’d give me a place in your store whenever I wanted it. I want it right now.” “Why, yes, my boy,” said the merchant, grasping his hand. “But I thought youshad grown into that place over the way.” “Oh, I couldn’t get along with ‘Gus Dinely: We had a quar- rel and I left.” “What did you quarrel about?” Burke told the story, and referred him to Willie Simmons for proof of what he said. “Well, I am glad you came over. I am in need of more help. You may set in at once if, /you like.” y “Thanks, sir.” One of the clerks was set to showing him the marks on the goods, and they worked together. faithfully till evening. It was known all over Redboro’ before bed- time that even- ing that Burke Halliday had left Honghton’s and Was clerk’at Winthrop’s store. The cause of his leaving was also known, . because Willie Simmons and some of the other clerks had. a! their story. The next day the merchant heard a dozen ahanengileieser allusions to himself ere he reached his store. He could see store, and the sight did not please him. by any means. ( He knew that Burke had suddenly become the pet of the ladies of Redhboro’ because he had risked his life to save the j lives of women and children. That never failed to touch the heart of a mother, ; t \ ; “Se here, Gus,” he said to his’ head manager, later in the day, bid) fear you have done mé a great injury in driving that boy out of the store. You were unjust to him, You should have apologized to him when you discovered that he was nee te blame,” “He was too impudent, plied Dingly. “Just look at those women going in and out over there! oh Some of them have beén my regular customers for Years. I made a mistake.” \ Gus made no reply. The whole shopping population pS He woulda’ give me a chance, ¥ me to be going into. Winthrop’ S that morning. But few customers « - came into Houghton's. ‘One Old lady came in to buy a spool of thread, and while it was being wrapped up, said; i “So-Burke Halliday has left ye, has” he?” ‘ “Yes, ma’am,” said Houghton. Me am sorry to say that he has.” FT DE Houghton.” “Burke and Gus had a quarrel, and. ‘one or the other had to! 80, ‘and so Burke went. I am sorry, but it- ‘could not be’ help- d.. They are both rather hot-headed.” Fe NA that night when Houghton went, home he found a nest of ed nto him. VG ' “Pll never spend another cent in your store,” said Aunt Peggy, “as long as Mr. Nabob Dingly stays there, and, what’s | more, the women of Redboro’ won't, either—mark my words.” Aunt Peggy Bethune was wealthy—worth three times as much as the Houghtons—and it was believed that Mrs. Houghton and Bessie: would fall to her property at her death. She was very much attached to her niece and grand-niece, but very independent and headstrong. : Her anger worried him more than that of his wife and daughter, for at one time she threatened to give Burke money enough to enable him to set up a store of his own, But little sleep came to him that night, and the next morn- ing ate his breakfast in moody silence, and left the house io return to his store, The esnepiontca of that day made him sick. Hig avoraae) sales dropped off’ more than one-half. “See here, Gus,” he said to Dingly— éyou see Row this a) | H many of his regular lady ‘customers going into Winthroh’s to come and see you just bg same, = Awakes, when one of the firemen came to Sipe! and said: : “Well, I am sorry to hear it, ‘tor it won't do a any good, _ The old lady went out without saying anything more, but’ or- nets. after him. His wife and bat hake and Aunt Posey ts ch- | I am being ruined. . You must see Burke to-night, make’ up with him, and get him to come back here. I am vibe eis to double his salary to get him back.” | That was a tough thing on Gus, but he liked to hold his own With the merchant, as hé had serious hopes of Lehi Bessie and becoming a full partner in the store. “Don’t you think it will blow ‘over in a. few days?” ingly asked, “Yes, it will blow me over, and that’s just what I don’t want. Winthrop will be sure to keep all the customers he can, and — when the women folks get mad: and take queer a cae ppoout things, ‘there’s no telling how -far they may go.” “Tl try and see him to-night,” said’! Dingly. “See him without fail, and make it all right with seo said Mr. Houghton. A few minutes’ after ‘his conversation with ‘Dingly ‘Mr, Houghton saw Aunt Peggy Bethune enter Winthrop’s store. : She was alone, and it was no telling how far she gone go. in her indignation. ot Burke saw ler coming, and hastened to meet her, baa her as “dear Aunt, Peggy,” to her great delight. “And so you have left us, lad?” she said. “Oh, no, Atint Peggy, 1 have: only left the store. I ari going “Can I sell you msae. rs = a: Oday 2s : HOV OS 5 ot guess you ‘ean. T-want to get a “lacie silk gown,” “ke Burke’ waited on her, and before she left she had, howe. silk dress for herself and one for Bessie, — That night Burke was down at the engine- 10Use: of the Wide 3 ““Dngly wants’ to see you downstairs. ate “The deuce!” ; aes “Yes; he asked me to ea you so. nee pag a oi “What in thunder does he want?” a. ie “Hanged if I know. Guess he owants a ‘fight, Ry “Well, he can have that if he wants it, “ and he at. aga went downstairs and met Dingly in front of the engine-house. ‘iar “Did you send for me?” he asked, ERE “Yes, 'I want to talk with a. and make amends for. the | injustice I did you.” “Why have you waited so: Teak about Ate * Burke ashe, ve very coldly. “Because I wags too Hite at ie way you ipthehrea thio: ee ; | Come and take a walls with me, and Vl make it all hight with you.” goat p “J don’t: care cae fue ‘aby walk with you. You lied ab ‘me and had me ee and then waited nee days to make the We J, span ”
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r youth. But he did not show it in the darkness that surround- ed them. y “That’s all right, Burke,” he said, stiffly. “Tf you don’t want me to apologize, I won’t do it. I'll give you the message Mr. Houghton sent, though. He says that if you will come back to the stdre he will double your salary.” “Did he say that?” “Yes. That’s what I came to tell you.” “Well, tell him again that you and/I can’t work under the same, roof—that he must first give you the grand bounce be- fore he can get me back at any price,” and with that Burke turned and went upstairs into the hall again. Dingly was in a furious rage. He went away, hissing be- tween his clenched teeth: “The insolent cub. Give me the grand bounce, eh! I'll give him the grand thrashing if he ever speaks to me again.” He made a report to Mr. Houghton the next morning to the effect that he could do nothing with Burke, saying: “He was insulting to me and disrespectful to you, ‘and, said he wouldn’t come back at any price.” Houghton was astonished as well as dismayed. He had heard through Aunt Peggy ‘that all the women in Redboro’ were going to ignore his store in the future. That meant ut- ter ruin to his business, as nine out of every ten we in his trade came from the women. “This is bad business, Gus,” he said, shaking his ‘int “Tt will not last a week,” said Gus. “JT don’t W#nt it to last a day longer. bors turn against him he might as well move away at once.” “Do you think such q cub as Burke: Halliday can move! a whole community to wrong a reputable citizen like you?” “Whether I think it or not, you can’ see for yourself what is being done. It isn’t the wrong to me, but the injustice to him, that the people are concerned about.” “But why seashore they Beg eppcerned about him, Ea like: to Know? 3 «, Ob you ihgow Ww ell enough, that he has behaved like a hero at two fires. You forced me to discharge him—which was wrong in both of us. You aceused him wrongfully, and didn’t correct it when you found out your mistake.” Just then Bessie and Aunt Peggy came into. fie store. Gus hastetied to wait on them. They didn’t wish to buy anything, "but treated Dingly so coldly as to give him a chill. ? him, and as for Aunt Peggy, she wouldn’t even speak to, him. Then he realized ‘for the first time that the pr ejuatee included him as much as it did the merchant. But he made up his mind to explain coer ‘to, the fair | Bessie in a way that would remoye all blame from. his own. shoulders, and with that object in view he ealled at the house | where he had been so often welcomed. To his intense surprise and mortification Bessie sent word to him in the parlor that she was not at home. He went away conscious that it was all up with him in that} quarter, He then began’ to: realize how far-reaching a little act of injustice | was under certain circumstances. s “swore to treasure it all up against Burke, and getia sweet re- Hovis & uwhenever he could do'so without injury to: himself. The next day Mr. Houghton called him aside and ‘Sage tales, that ‘he sever his connection with the store, : '€I am ruined if you do not g0, ” he said. “And I am ruined if I do go, » was the réply. E : sae think not,” said the merchant, “You have, nothing but ‘¥ your services, to sell, while T have many thousands. of, dollars’ EF Fi worth ‘of goods on my hands: which must be sold. EN a -‘Dingly left. the store, and ina he or ‘two the trade be egan to. come back to the house, and t eee df ver the alight: Lp ad of the THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. When @ man’s ged! ; Sie “ie was overwhelmed by Bessie’s freezing. manner toward But he}. |I could not work under the same roof, and that ‘until. you gaye aintly : - GHAPTER Wier #3, eae THE LEAP FOR LIFE, After leaving Houghton’s store Gus Dingly paid a visit to several of the larger dry goods stores in Redboro’, not doubt- ing that such a well-known salesman could easily make an: engagement. But the first: store he antchae. received 2 coldly, ag saat ‘prietor saying: “J don’t know that you could tig: me any trade. Just now every. Woman in town seems to ibe down on you.” “Down on me?” “Yes, they say you caused pare Halliday tp be discharged from Houghton’ Sif ‘Dingly made no reply. ‘He left and applied at another store, ‘where he was told ‘hat his presence there would drive trade away. That broke him all up, and he went out to mae lie on the mutability of human affairs. tied “That cub has done all this,” he said to nitele, “He has been talking about me behind my back, and making people believe that I have ‘done him a great wrong. He is now get- j ting better pay than ever in his life before, while Tam getting nothing at all. Where'is the wrong there, I’d like to know? Who is wronged—he or I? Oh, I'll get even with him if I haye to apes every. dollar of my savings to. do ith” It soon became known to everybody in ‘Redboro’ that Gus Dingly had failed to secure another position in town-—that the . therchants were afraid to, employ him, for fear of the loss of? trade on account of his treatment of young Halliday. Thus matters stood when Burke’ ealled, at Mr. Honghton’s . « residence to pay his respects to old Aunt Peggy and the rest of the family. The old lady greeted: him cordially, saying: ' “Youl are not a good boy, Burke, or you would have ae pefore this.” “Yes—that’s dust what I think,” said sein? as sa gave hin her ‘hand. : “Really, I thought you were all mad with me,” he replied. “Mad at you!” exclaimed Aunt cutis “You must have a! very poor opinion ‘of us, lad!” “Burke, ” said Mr. Houghton, cotting forward and giving him a cordial greeting. “I am glad you have called. I wanted — to’ see you in regard to the message you pent, me by. Gus. t did not ‘expect. that of you.” —_ “Mr, ‘Houghton, paase: tell me what he said to you,” Burke asked, { } “He said you swere insolent to him and, disrespectful to me, and that you would not come back at any price.” 4 AD, I thought so. # vy ; “Thought what?” “That he had not. told you the tora bbe és “Yow? What is thor “Tt is this. | When he spoke to me about my returning” to the store I repeated. to him, his own words to you, that he and | him. the grand pounce I would) not return at: any price. That Bish was ‘all I said—no more, no less.” fi ee “Ah! he did not tell me that, ey said the ‘merchant. — id on “OP course not. yA Dere ie. nothing of the, man ‘about G hee Dingly. ava ‘ og begin to believe you nae oi Shen i lon “take him Into pe
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10 THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. equality, Bessie sang and played for him, and old Aunt Peggy "amused him with her quaint, motherly way. Before he left Mr. Houghton said to him: “There is a place in the store for you whenever you wish to come back, Burke, and at double your former salary.” **“ Thanks, sir. I shall try to get back as soon as I can with- ‘out giving offense to anyone else.” | “Oh, I do hope you will,” said Bessie, “That's right,” said the merchant; “always act honorably with everybody. I yous not have you leave your present place in any other way.” _At the door Béssie whispered softly to him: “We all like you, Burke. at wat come to sée us often, will you not?” “Yes—if—if you wish me to,” he half istammered. _ “I do wish it,” she said, “and tell Mamie to come, too,” Burke went away with a light heart. Pretty Bessie Houghton had held his hand in her own, and _ 7 told him she wanted him to come to seé her. That was “enough to make any susseptible youth feel lighthearted. . That night a great storm came up and the rain came down . in torrents: “W ‘next morning they found the river rapidly rising, ‘Scon it became an angry, roaring, rushing torrent, that threatened great damage to the town. By noon it was out of _its banks and rushing through the lower streets, and many ‘| people began to be alarmed, Two or three”small houses, the occupants of which had fled to other quarters, were swept away, and crowds assembled at different points to see what other houses would follow.. It was at this point that ‘the fire alarm startled everybody in “ “the town, and men wondered if they would have to battle with | « two antagonistic elements at the same time. : \ Every man of the two companies promptly responded to ‘is ty call, and by the tithe the firemen reached their engines it was known that the fire was in one of the factories down, on the river front. p : Down through the streets rushed rie ehatoas. and when they turned into River street the brave firemen found them- selvas Iknee-deep in water. But that did not deter them a single moment, They dashed * forward: and drew their engines through water at the ed of their speed. Just as/the Wide Awakes, who were agaln the first to, yeach “the fire, turned on the water, they heard 2 scream from a win ‘dow of the third floor; They Jooked up ‘and saw a Rg girl leaning aan out ‘and 2 shrieking for help. i “My God!” cried Jack Alton, the foreman, /“I thought the ’ girls had all escaped.” “So did I,” said another fireman, “and we’ iia get at them,’ is “No, I don’t-see how we can.” pao ERS water had risen.to the first floor of the mill. The fire had enveloped all the front of the nas and cut, off both _ingfess and egress. > \ ..» While Alton and others were doipeeike ‘how to get ‘at oe poor girl they heard a splash in the water, ; There goes Burke Halliday!” eried someone in the ey owd, : and every eye was turned in. that. direction. ~' Sure enough, it was age young a ie who ee eapea into 3 ‘the water, Gs - *Gome back, “Burke!” ealled. “Alton, the Jeanine. but the ‘young hero- either did not hear or would not obey, He ‘swam ‘out alongside the mill to where the water was. ten | feet deep, right under one of the windows on the first. floor. ‘There he began Climbing up ‘into. ‘the window, and ae his biect i) ae to everyone bila : When the people went about their daily work the “Come back} come back!” eried Alton, with his tropes “You are too late!” Burke disappeared through the window, and a murmur went up from the crowd that the daring young fellow would never get out of the mill alive. One, two, three minutes passed, and the suspense became painful to those who were standing about in ae water that flowed through the streets, The young girl was still at the Tae edi for some- body to save her. The smoke was pouring out i every window in the mill, and under the window where she was the water was ten feet: deep, making it impossible fora ladder to be placed there. — She was on the point of giving up and sinking down in de- spair when she felt herself touched on the shoulder from. ‘be- hind. pitas? She wheeled around and caught hold of Burke Halliday, but © did not know who he was in that. oe yolume of black smoke. “Keep cool and we’ a get out all right,” Eas Burke: in very assuring tones. , 7 “Save me—save me!” she gasped, and then’ sdnk into a | swoon, into his arms, S; “This ig bad business,” said Butice) ‘as ne laid her on ‘his? left arm. “Tf she had kept her wits it would have been easier for me.” He hastened to tail out? ‘of the Sinton to get a glimpse of fresh air, as it seemed as if he would not be, able to: live another minute if he did not. Then he heard -a great shout from below as the ‘people ; caught a glimpse of him. He remembered that, and then, as- the merciless flames touched: him behind, he gathered the - young girl tightly to his breast and ‘ea ned from the window ; into the raging waters below. | i nN j j mi . CHAPTER. VIL. ty ec our OF THM FIRE INTO THE FLOOD. | ; A ti . The leap was. a “Jettible one. i tr Tt was fg leap for Tife, as every eye-witness Hendin: eek i As the two came down through the smoke into the water thaen. spectators held their breath in paintul SURDSRSOL Sfagt aut hris Splash! 'Théy had struck the water. ae A ery of horror went up from the cr owe as they caw them disappear ‘under the Tushing torrent. ate ~ There were no boats near to go to their assistance, ues ‘The good right arm ‘of the brave young: fireman was seen » battling with the’ ourrent in a desperate effort 10° Rech the hy girl’s head above the water. iy ‘That was more than Jack Alton. ‘could ' dtand., ne threw. (; away his fireman’s hat,, kieked off his heavy boots and plung- : ed into the raging OE to swim i the assistance” of his. , young friend, “Burke, my lad!” he called to the i vue There: when ue ‘Be sik up to him, “give me the girl and take: care: sof pourselt? si ‘Burke was almost exhausted, — 3 : vA He recognized Jack's: voice, ° but wag so ‘blinded’ re ‘the smoke he had leaped out of that he could not Be, him, , ‘| “Take hold. of, her, “Jack, * “he said) % Jack aie pol, of the girl. ; fk had deen elora a ‘ ito eet
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SOR Pe ae N THE PRIDE OF ‘THE VOLUNTEERS. men soon relieved them, taking the girl away and sending her to her home in the lower part of the village. . The firemen then gathered around Burke and covered him with congratulations. He washed and rubbed his eyes till he could use them again, saying as he did so: _“It was a close call, boys.” “The closest I ever saw,” said Jack. The mill went down in the rising waters, and was. swept away on the flood—that is, the ashes and charred pieces did. The firemen prevented the spread of the conflagration, and saved the buildings on either side of the mill. Whenever a fire got a. few minutes’ start in a frame ‘building, it was an ex- ceedingly difficult job to save it. The fire companies, in, al- most every case, found that they had to simply prevent the spread of the flames and save human life whenever imperiled. . Burke and Alton went'to their homes to put.on dry: clothes, “et while the two companies, returned to their quarters. Bi “aYieil, beautiful girl, with flaxen hair and blue eyes. The flood continued to rise, and all the mills along the river | were threatened with very serious damage, if not total de- struction. The excitement growing out of that peril caused a good many people to forget for the time being the heroic | rescue of the young mill girl. But when the waters began to subside, and the pons saw that but little: damage was done, they thought of the aes girl and her terrible experience. Burke had not even learned her name at noon the next Ney: when old Aunt Peggy came into the store and told him. , “Her name is Aggie Wayne, a very poor girl, who has to earn every cent she gets,” said the good old lady, Se she is very ill at her boarding-house.” “Tam sorry to hear that,” remarked Burke. “We ‘shall all pitch in and make up a purse for her to-night down at the engine-house. gf : “You needn’t bother about that,” she returned. that she doesn’t lack for anything. He “Ah! oWe couldn’t get along without you, Aunt ‘Peggy, a said Burke. “How the poor would suffer if you were to leave us, or cease to be as good and generous as you are now!” “That'll do, Burke. I can’t save them as you do, but ’'H do “Vl see the best'Ivcan. You haye taught me a lesson about one doing his or her best. whenever anything is to be doné: 2 Aggie Wayne was a poor orphan: child of sixteen years. of age who had been working in the mill about a year. She was Many knew her as the “silent beauty,” because of her disposition | to be quiet and uncommunicative. But she was very beautiful, ‘and quite well educated for one of her years.’ She had come to the village with her widowed mother two years before the opening of our story. The mother died, and the orphaned daughter| went to work in a mill. The shock of the alarm of fire had caused her to fall down in a faint, and she was thus overlooked and left in the burn- ~ fire, during which time she did not recognize anyone. ing puilding when’ the other girls were taken out. When the intense heat roused her to consciousness again, she sprang up and rushed to the window, screaming for help. It was at that moment that Burke saw her. The next moment he was in the water swimming to her reseue, The young girl had a high fever for over a week after. the But she had the hest of attention, for old Aunt Peggy Bethune had so ordeted. Zi e 3 é ‘In the meantime, everybody in the town was praising the ; - gallant young hero for-his splendid feat on the day of the fire. st set as a hnenen’ heart Use paeee asked that Burke be | When Aggie’ Wayne had sufficiently recovered to hear ‘the | story of her rescue she was told all about it. She was as Burke and Jack reached the shore with her, where the fire-| - he said: “Tam glad I i todeiaa thuck-os {ald Mak Wares but I think we both have pantie aman -to- gee ior, our lives.” . “#indeed!? 2.7 t0 Fone ; “Yes, If Jack ‘Aiton haa not come-to my raeckaines: shai Wwe were in the. water we would both: have drowned. I felt that I could not hold out another minute.” Kr Ee “Then I must thank him, too. Oo; how cane ever pay the. ‘debt of. gratitude I owe!” “Ob; don’t think about that,” he ae: “Just try to get well and let us see you out on the streets alive and well and happy, and we will all rejoice ee we had a hand ; through.” ee ‘x ; “I gon’t know bub that it would ha inoue for me if you had let me perish in the flames. 1 am 1 10 strong, and now I am going in debt to Mrs. Hart, ‘my. landlady, tor my board. How I am ever to pay her I don’t know.” Mrs, Hart was sitting by the bedside waa. eure She was | a kind, motherly old lady. © $3 “Don’t you worry about that, Aggie,” sks said. “Your board and doctor’s bill are both paid by a. good lady.” Aggie opened ae ‘her bie rt eyes and stared at Mrs. Harty “An! That was good Aunt. Peggy Bethune,” said Burke. “God bless her dear old soul! “She neyer deserts one in ‘dis- tress. Don’t worry. She will see that you have another place. just as soon. as you are strong enough to go to work again.”. Tears filled the blue eyes again, and the young girl’s emo-. tion was too great to\allow her to. express her feelings. Burke went away to tell Jack Alton what a sweet girl she was. rhs ~ ep CHAPTER VII... BURKE AND THE STRANGER. - : nae Abie a month after the destructiom of the mill Burke was accosted on the street by an elderly man, who asked if he The man started as. if stung. ; sé “Dead!* he repeated. a < zi “Yes; she is buried over in the graveyard ‘on the other side ‘of the river,” and Burke pointed. ‘in the L sshsors pr of the Red- ‘boro’ cemetery as he. ‘spoke. ye The man: gazed over the river in Silence for a moment OL) two and then said; (°° - ge “The daughter—what became of her” ; “ “Aggie is here—in a millinery shop down on Main ie and is the handsomest girl in ‘Redboro’. a) i Nee. oe eee RS __ “Whose shop is she in?” j SO) ee as ° » “Miss Higgins’, ae see the name on a sign over the door as you go down the street—that is, if you can read.” tiene ; “Oh, I think I can bees said the man, las eke Are ‘you uncertain, 00?” The man laughed and asked: a
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met “Hanged if I know,” replied Burke i go about his business. ; Pe “That boy is a jolly young dog,” ‘Re he turned to make*his way down the | . Miss Sarah Higgins’ millinery shop. mie : oe, “I wonder what he wants to’ know abgitt Aggie for?” Burke ‘thought, as he went back to the store. “She is doing very well now, since Aunt Peggy Bethune got her a place at Miss Higgins’. again.” : Burke thought no more abdut it, and in a little while it slipped from his’ memory altogether. : “The man who had accosted him was middle-aged and well dressed. But there was a look of shrewd selfishness about him that almost. any good business man would notice, He was stopping at the Redboro’ House, the most prominent hotel in the busy little oye, registered as Mr. Joseph —~ - mour. q Mr. Seymour passed the millinery shop, and looked in’ as he ‘did so. He saw the tall, angular Miss Higgins ‘and young : Aggie Wayne waiting on a couple of lady customers, : They did not notice him, and in a little while he came by “again and stopped to look at some: bonnets and flowers which were displayed ih the little window. Standing there, he obtained a good look at the young girl. She was neatly dressed, and was very beautiful, he thought. After a while he went away and strolled about the town, looking at the mills and factories along the river bank. Meeting with black Pete, who had Wanderer ‘off from the engine-house a’ block or two, he asked: : “Boy, can you tell me ‘what mills those are over there on “the other side of the river?” “Yes, sah,” answered Pete, very ‘promptly. Spice Mills, an’ de udder one is de Wool Mills.” Biranger, as direction of 3 Detx! 1s de The man looked over at themills andisaw that the ey haa | ~ One evening Burke. me Aggic Pia told him the truth, “He ‘then engaged him in éonversation, and “in a few minutes black Pete was in his glory, telling all he ‘Knew about the place to a stranger. , He told. about the last fire, pointing out the ruins of the | * mail, which could ‘now be seen from almost any porn along the tiver, Of course, the story of Burke’s rescue of Ageie ‘Walvis had to be told, and the man at ‘once became interested. if “Where does this young: fellow you speak of stay?” he asked, Up at Wintrop’s store,” was the teeliiy “Where is, it?” j Pete pointed it out to him, and he wended his way in that Ns direction. AoE ‘ . The man did not enter the store, put tontenich himself Siti merely looking. im’as he “passed the door | + He saw Burke waiting on a farmer who was ‘bad some dry goods, and then passed on up ‘the street. i That’ ‘evening “At the hotel he heard some of the young fre- “men: talking, and again heard he Rees of" Burke; and Aggie Wayne repeated. i “Tt was a good thing for ee said. one of the firemen, : ., “How so?” Ngee ““Why, ‘it;made_ her hadueeniel with old nite Peasy Bethune, a ‘who has never let her want for. anything since. Just See how _ comfortable she is fixed there at “Miss Higgins’. sey - “Yes; and I believe Jack. is mashed ¢ on 1 her. ater id “Is that 02? - fee? Yes; 1 ve seen him with her § several times, # nA She is | very young yet. > } “Yes, and very beautiful. es # < } bast ye a ; 4 ; king round her, too,” said the “Yess be 4s preter young to go sparking, but the women all pet him’ 89 “that they’ll soon turn his head.” “Burke as a pretty hard head.” “So he has, but the women can turn the hardest heads the world ever saw.” The two young firemen laughed, but the stranger. ooked grave. Long after they went away he sat there looking at vacancy, Maybe he is a relative. I’ll ask her when I see her| apparently absorbed in. deep meditation. A week later Mr; Seymour called at the cottage where lived — the Widow Hart, with whom Agele Wayne boarded, to ge for room and board, saying: “Tam a stranger in Redboro’, madam,” ve then: after a. pause, added, “and am here on business that may detain ,me one or two months.’ I am not, accustomed to living at hotels, though I am) well able to do so..' On making inquiries for a private boarding-house, I was direeted to call here, I like. your place, and’ will pay whatever sum you may ask.” _ Mrs. Hart was a ‘poor: woman, who had’ to resort to many . ways and means to make both ends meet. She had no. extra” room yacant, and was at a loss to know what to do, when: the’ * ‘thought occurred to her that she might be able to ‘accommodate him if she could get Aggie to. share her room with her during» the time he remained, and let him have the one she occupied. She told him to call again’ the next day, and that she might, be able to make room for him. Of course Aggie consented, and. the jieke eae Mr. Joseph ‘ ‘Seymour was received at the cottage as a boarder. B10 Le When. Aggie came home’ in the evening she was ditreaiged % to him. , He seemed to bea very, agreeable sort of @ man, being satisfied with everything that 4yas done for his comfort. The witlow was. véty ‘conimunicative, and ina fittle hilo he had heatd | the story of. Aggie’s rescue for the twentioth ag Sitice he innded in Redboro’. — \ as erie: bona. from the store, é ty and joined: hers; hse She was always glad to see) him. He was her “young ‘heres 2 “We have a new boarder at our house,” she. said as they. walked along: the ‘street ‘in, the ‘gathering iwi “Who is it?” he sked.. Dat . “Oh, you don’t know. him, D guess. He is: a Be tenon ioe. f came here on business a few days ago. ee is a very nice man, 7) but old enough to. be my. father. g i That was all that was ‘said about him at the time. Banal ‘angered at the gate talking to the. ous girl wash Mr cna, mour came along. he pe! \ _ “Oh, here’s Mr. Seymour,” said ‘Aggie. ; “Mr. Bova this” is Burke Halliday, hehe 0 you have heard us’ apeal, of several © ‘times.”’ ys Seymour looked at: init: in no ‘Tittle surprise, He had Weaedt ‘so much of the young volunteer fireman that. hie had ‘expected | ‘to see a different looking youth, Instantly. Pore of. them, remembered their first meeting, and of the: conical’ ature of their conversation on that occasion. “We have met, pai rss a said ‘Burke ‘edly. ae a ; “Yes, I ‘natlena we have,” he replied. f “i “Why, I thought I heard you ‘say. Soe, Been ‘met Burke! ” eh exclaimed Aggie. eG 2 “So. you did, but I did ‘not: lee this young, aan was , es and che extended his hand to Burke, who shook it warmly, “Just so,” said Burke, | “and I did not know you were Mr, ve Seymour. So you see how uncertain everything is in ‘this i Tittle: town of ours. 2" ; Saeaee a “Jam very glad to meet ae to have seit outs a Fi smilin Genta fee 1 "Burke," sala, Baxmdusl “and” . : Fle from You ia) evenings
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4 sometimes. ie ’ talk to me.” while Aggie haha into Mrs. si jae room to lay. aside her work. - dress. : the gate, Burke Halliday was in a deep study. “They do get pretty ens down there] ; ‘ hy pies Sue more fon you. - | Burke laughed’ and remarked: y “When he begins that. Dustines we have a ad circus on hand, I’m thinking.” Burke. remained aie a late ows, and then started ‘homé all. “Yes, said Burke. “Won't you come in, Burke?” Aggie, asked. “ors. ] ‘be glad to see you, and you know | Y . I.do like to:h “Thanks, but I haven’t time now,” enewaiad cane “but: Ty may call to-morrow evening. I want to tell you something.”|alone * i “Oh, now I can’t sleep a wink to-night!” she ‘exclaimed,| Just as he’ tara into Meade ae a” man » endied ‘upon laughing. “You have excited my curiosity, and I’ve got to|him and dealt him a gil on the Ses that felled him sense- wait till to-morrow night. How cruel ofyou!” ©... less to the earth, ‘ \ “There now,” said Burke, “just say I was talking nonsense ea thousand stars Saat to ants hefore his eyes, and then and think no more about it. I’ll come and see you to-morrow | ‘all. sad darkness and. oblivion. night,” and with that he pressed her hand in ‘his, bowed ig Fa en he came to he found himself lying Sik he had fall- Seymour and went away. en, in from.loss of blood and chilled to the marrow. “What a dear, good fellow he is!” said Agee, gazing after “Lord, how my head hurts!” he moaned, as he raised a hand him as he walked off down the street. ral tes his head and felt of the matted hair and blood, “Why don’t you set your cap for pitt Sevaionit asked, ina He was almost. too weak to rise, and he lay there for some jocular way, time, hoping that somebody would come along, who would “Oh, I would, but so many other giris in the tow are after’ stand. him on his. feet. But after @ while he ‘decided. that he . him that I don’t think I could have any show. But then, you had better. try to get up and go home, or to the drug store. know, he is but a boy yet, and I am only.a little girl.” _ So he made the effort,,and succeeded first in raising himself “He has a big reputation for one so young.” a on his elbow. His, head felt as if it was heavier tha a all ‘the “Yes, indeed. His reputation is sage fate too, for a is Test of his body. | F every inch a hero.” sefee He escorted her into the house and retired to his. room, himself. Aref na Pais a age ener “My God!” he groaned, “Tam almost) deat Somebody must : as | ai have ‘hit me With «an axe.”" 9) |) ek st ae ats Kt eo Sa {There was a little drug store not far from. where he was, CHAPTER IX So ‘kept by an old man whose. son was 'a physician. Burke Stag- ° "el gered: ‘up to the door and Knocked with a ‘small stone which he rs Sages DOWN AND LEFT FOR DEAD. Neils, “ picked. up! oye * 3 v On’ his way down the cei ater” leaving Aggie Wayne at ; “dreggist got fae out. or bea and opted 35 ook ter?” Rete tah an dered why’ he Bad established bimselt in ‘the same house the yat ; i where Mato = 78 pei 5S hea “1 am Burke Halliday, i replied our hero, ingeering fo the tore, “and I am nearly dead. Send for. the doctor.” “There's something queer about it,” he rath eed. He in. [se } quired after-her mother, and was astonished | ene ittold’ him ne ertune ee druggist, “you Ary bled like an Mrs. Wayne was dead. Hanged if, 1 don’t wateh him. I’ve a| 0%? Sit down ti yy, Son. A ‘great mind to tell Jack about it.» J He pushed Burke gently ‘into cy “chair and adi the He ate his supper in silence, and: then went down to the | Then he hastened upstairs 10 call his gon, the doctor.) Wide Awake engine-house. There he. met Jack Alton, the Tn afew minutes: thei doctor came nee ty ‘his. father, and Ywréman, who had savéd him oT drowning on the day of the | “48 amazed at “what: he saw. - On his feet he reeled and staggered like a annie, man, and i ing exclaimed he) on jeettne, the blood-covered person. He recollected his first meeting with Seymour, and now before him byte, ald Bhatt VR “Who are Pou, ans hae ‘ mill fire." . } sah ou are hurt,” he said. “Come to “the lounge in the back “Jack, 1 have | something to tell you,” he said, ‘and ‘tak- | Toom and et me see the ‘extent of the wound,” : ing Alton off to a corner of the room, he told him the story. 1 He Jed our. hero into the back. rqom, where Stood 4 leather- Jack ‘shook his head, ‘ covered Jounge. There he stripped him of his coat and vest “The old rascal’ is up to something, lad,” he said, “You and ‘made him lie’ down on the iguhee ‘with Bes head resting a want to.watch him.” _ Seon iittle ‘over the end. ; “Just what I think, but I don’t see how I can wateh him, t with’ a basin of warm sister. and a spouse, he Hathed’ his ‘ am confined at the store all day. long.” i head till all the clotted blood was washed: ‘bway. © “Tell the girl about it. Put her. on’ her guard against him, » k Then he saw the nature of the: Ww. und. ‘ { J” suggested Task ye! He had heen struck with a heavy Mtant {nstiamment: of some “Yes, I think that is the best thing to do,” and then they | kind. J aa es de y Pe ” “for Lam sure I have not, said seri 3 ‘dropped the matter and ‘rejoined the other firemen who had: “How dia ‘this happen, STE ‘he ations the ne me _ eome in to spend an hour in conversation. “i LE net A aE coming home from the engiue-house,” replied Burke, ty AT say, Burke,” ‘said ‘one of the men, “just a while. ago I: “and when By ‘turned into Meadow Lane. somebody rushed Ya heard Gus Dingly say he would cowhide you if he heard any- |'me and ‘gave me a ee on the head. That's all Z kelow; te thing more from you.” «).% ye aga tie rsh “The deuce you did!” fs um AM et yl “Well, it's a wonder . you chug, anything» at: all “abot Tt ,2 “Yes, Somebody. had told. him ‘somelhine you had said} said the ‘doctor, “for the’ ist was undoubtedly ‘Intended eA about him, and he was very mad about it. sa y ne lay you’ out for good. nu : fs “Somebody has been making up a yarn, ‘then, ” said Burke, “Yes,” remarked the old | druggist, wh had held the: Tam about him behind his while the. doctor dressed t the wound. nf i je eakte won ie kill me, will it, de ) , “0b, T guess Not, ‘Wel I Agr't now what it was e heard. I daly mow that f:
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my bed. You can watch him then, if necessary.” “a bed. ee 14 THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. — Paget tight places, and I guess you will have your usual zouk luck again.” “Pm pretty hard to iil, T guess. Can I go home now?” “J don’t know about that. I would advise you to stay here to-night and not alarm your mother, and sister by going home at this time of night, wounded as you are,” : “You are right, doctor. Ill stay here if you can give me “You can have my bed, and Ili lie here on this lounge.” “No,” said the old druggist. “I'll lie here, ee | you can’ take Thus it was arranged, and he was assisted upstairs to a bed. The young doctor remained with him through the night, trying to keep down the fever, which he feared: wouid follow Such @ wound as that. ‘But the fever came before daylight, and the case ‘became . very serious. The young hero began to grow delirious. Soon after sunrise his mother and sister were sent'for, and they came with all haste to see him. S “He is badly hurt, madam,” said the doctor to Mrs, Halli- day, “but you must control yourself and not excite him in the Jeast. He is not himself now, and any excitement may prove fatal at any moment.” mind. the fire. ci get you out. My God! ‘Mrs. Halliday promised to be calm, and braced herself for _ the ordeal. Mamie was as firm as her mother, and both were ae admitted to his bedside. “Burke,” called his mother. “Burke—do you know me?” ‘He looked at her in a vacant sort of way, and said: “Keep quiet-and Pll get you out all right.” A-groan escaped the anguished mother’s’ lips as. she saw that he was delirious, “Yes—yes—cling to me now, and Ill get you out. Never I’ve gor 4o jump for it! It’s a terrible alternative, but I’ll save her Wf 1 perish } in the attempt.” “He thinks*he is in Wa mill fire,” said the doctor. ' “Oh, doctor, can ‘you save him?” sobbed the mother. ye | don’t: think you need have any serious apprehensions, ma’am,” the doctor replied. “JT have seen much worse cases than his pull through.” f “Do you, know how he was hurt?” “He said aman rushed on him in the dark, just as he turn- ed into Meadow Lane, and dealt him a stunning blow. That was all ‘he recollected about it, nor r does he. have any idea who _ his assailant was.” : ‘ “Oh, somebody is trying to murder my brave boy!” and the heartbroken mother wrung her hands in anguish as she spoke. - The hews soon spread over the. town, and the most intense |. garding Gus and Burke, and the more ‘they thought about it .| the more indignant they became. “Let's see Dingly about it,” said one, \*Yes, let’s see what he says about it,” and about a score set out to find Gus and make him give an account of himself. They soon found him, He was discussing the attack on the young fireman with a couple of friends when the party came up to him. 1 “Gus Dingly,” said one of the firemen, “you were heard to make threats against Burke Halliday last night. He has been almost killed in a very cowardly way. If you can’t prove that you didn’t do it we'll hang. you to yonder tree in ten minutes. “3 Gus turned pale as death. He saw that. the Wide Awakes meant business, “1 did make a threat to cowhide him,” he ‘said, ‘but I never saw him at all during last night.” “We don’t propose to take your word for that. Where were you last night?” * “T was with a party of Be at the hotel, playing billiards till midnight.” — f i fi “Gan you: prove that?” z “Yes—by a dozen men,” “Come to the hotel with us.” ; ‘ They took him to the hotel, and ere they reached: ‘the iihtion, i the party had swelled to more than two hundred. 3 The landlord and barkeeper said that Gus had peed in thes!” hotel from eight o’clock till qnidnight, and tihat he went away” with Dick Halsey. “Yes and he was with me ‘the. rest of the night,” aia Dick, who was in the crowd, “Are you sure of that, Diek?” “Yes. He slept with me.” ta “Well, that lets you out, Dingly,” said the leadér ‘of the would-be lynchers, “We were quite sure you were the man. We are not sure now that you did no rt get the job done.” P “You have no right to say anything of the kind, sir,” said a friend of Dingly’s.: “He is as honest a man as you are, and—* ” “Don’t give us any lip, or we'll chuck you into the river: as quick as a wink,” returned the fireman, “Try it!” said the man, defiantly. te They seized’ him, and in another frig’ Seda were rushing him +i off to the river. .. j neat j ~ t rsa 2% CHAPTER X, 4 4 me A WILY OLD ROGUR’s WOoING. ny fe The hotheaded votes man witd nad ‘peen so foolish a as oe excitement prévailed, Scores of friends rushed to the drug | defy a score of excited firemen. cooled down very quickly when — nant as to say; the first tree.” store to see him. Only a few of his most intimate friends were admitted to his bedside, * 2 Jack Alton left his work to BO te i irda, and he was: 86 mean “If we can find the wretch who struck him, we'll save the ‘courts the trouble of punishing him, if we cath get. a, rope strong enough to sustain his weight. is — “Yes,” spoke up several Se ent “we'll hang him to i 74 “I think I know the man,” said one. r' _ “Who is: he?” a cried a siongae -once.. ee i ~ 4Gus Dingly: pe o> pee There was 4 silence of two. whole minutes, when the first ‘speaker continued: i “T heard Gus. last. night neko: a ‘threat to. cowhide him if ie ever heard anything more from. Die There was, an pecs frown. on. ans faces of many of the he saw that they were about to make good their threat. Nae “Til take back what I said,” he cried. a did mat ss a I beg your pardon, gentlemen.” Peg pa “Oh, turn the fellow loose,” said Jack ign who was ia the , party. “He is not the man we are after.” > j They turned him loose, and he was the worst. seared man in . the town at that moment. He could not swim, and had they thrown him into the river he would ‘have drowned, unless! _ somebody drew him out again. id When the women heard the news they callled. at the heme store in dozens and twenties, to offer their services, +Old Aunt Peggy came, and wilh her Bessie Houghton. nd Aggie Wayne. When told that Burke: was delirious and constantly talking as about the mill fire, and the leap for life. in the Swollen river, ‘Aggie broke down. and” wept : hysterioally.. a
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“The man who did it ought to be left in a burning Lanse said Aunt Peggy, wiping a tear from her eyes. - “Oh, somewhere,” “Even then Burke would try to save him,” said sea he was as good as he was brave!” The doctor told them that he thought Burke ink pull through all right. On the way back home Aunt Peggy Be- thune saw the mayor, and told him to offer a reward of five hundred dollars for the arrest and convictien of the assailants of the youth. . “y am not a vindictive woman, ” she said to the mayor, “but we want to protect the community from such criminals.” “Yes—and the best way to do it is to make the whole people goon the hunt for them by offering big rewards.” “Vil make it a thousand if you think it necessary,” said Aunt Peggy, > “J think five hundred dottars are enough,” replied the mayor, | as he sat down to write out the notice of reward. The big reward ereated more excitement in the town. Ev ybody wondered who the assailant was, and what was his motive. It was a puzzle to everyone who undertook to do sdoott thinking .on the matter. It was known that he had but two enemies in Redboro’, one of whom was not-so much an enemy as he was envious—and they were Gus Dingly and Joe Pendergast. : _Joe had been so indisereet as to speak disparagingly of him *- on several occasions. ladies, he soon ceased doing so as a matter of policy. But Gus Dingly had threatened to cowhide him, and. that . naturally set the eye of suspicion gazing in his direction. After he had proved an alibi to the satisfaction of the Wide Awakes there were some people who’ did not hesitate to hint that Gus had probably hired some TAgcal to knock him on the head. Everywhere he went after that he was an object of sus- picion,’ and mah of his, acquaintances gradually drew away from him, By. degrees Burke recovered, but it was at least a month ere |’ he was able to go out of his room. : By that time the excitement. had dwindled down into a single question—who struck Burke Halliday? Every evening after she came home from the millinery store Aggie Wayne, accompanied by another young girl of her own i Bee alled to inquire after him. Mr. Seymour had several times offered to go with her, but she declined his Offer, “you don’t know how the girls would tease me,” she said, i “if they saw you. going with me on the street.” : “Oh, that’s all the objection you have, eh?” ~ \ “Yes, sir, that’s all.” ty “Oh, well, I guess: you are right in objecting, as it is not pleasant to be teased about ‘anything. But I assure you it] would be a great pleasure to go with you anywhere.” — «7 didn’t know that,” and she blushed, | Z “Yes, and when I saw you walking with young ‘Halliday IT wished myself young again, that I might walk with you, tao.” “Oh, as for: Burke, nobody would tease me about him. All the girls want him to walk with ‘them. Bais ots “Yes, I understand. I am too old for one so young as ‘you. n Aggie did not know how to answer him, She never. had anyone to talk to her, that: way before, ey MAE “Tf they wouldn’t tease me,” she said, Ge fe woulan’t ining.” ey “Well, they shall not tease you on my. account.” has “Please don’t be angry with me,” she said. f “Of course not, I want you to be as happy as you “deserve to THE PRIDE OF ae VOLUNTEERS. But having been rebuked by some of the | > be. it you will pie tale Duet ae When you home: in of even-| 1B. Aggie never had any man take so much interest in her dyes fore, and felt very much flattered at what he said. “When I work yery hard at the store,” she replied, “T am afraid I am too tired to talk to anyone,” Rett - “You ought not to have to work at all, my iat young friend, You are not strong enough.” al “But 1 am obliged to work,” and she laughed sang. am poor, and haye to. eat and: wear Bids 3 just like ace girls.” “Oh, you ought to marry a man sho can keep you rae con; | | fort, with seryants, carriage, fine house and all that.” ~~ “Wouldn't that be nice? if you know of sucha’ man who will take pity on a poor little girl like ae why “on send him along.” ‘ “Would you marry him eyen if you did not love hime” he. asked, looking her full in the face, “T_j—really don’t know, sir,” she answered, “but I would | try very hard to love him if he was: kind and A, B00 and not too: ugly, # : He laughed and suggested: ; Been a “And nottoo old, eh?” pL te “Oh, if he was very old I might be a young: anaes some day, and very rich,” and she laughed heartily. ‘ “Yes, that’s very” true. P-ve known of several instazices of that kind. Now, listen to me, Ageie Wayne, I am old’ enough to be your father. I have been married once, but have been a widower for ten years, and have no children. [I am very rich, and can give a wife a fine house to ltve in, silks and diamonds to wear, carriage, horses and plenty of sékyante, But I have neyer thought of marrying: until I met you.” «<<! 4, ny Km '} 7 Tae “Met me!” she faltered, turning very pale. tie i “Yos, I have learned to love you, Aggie, for gay fe rs. year-old heart is still young etiough to love? If you" will be my wife you shall have all that money can purchase—~a, fine house, silks, diamonds, carriages, servants, and ‘everything you may want. I want you, to, love and pet ce be my idol—my darling?’ hag Aggie satin the chair like one utterly gumtoundea ‘She aid Bem. not know what ‘to say or think. “T know perfectly well you do not love me,” he ‘aaltiateds “put now that I have told you my feelings toward you, you: ean try: to love me, Don’t make’ any promise now—I don't « want you to do that. “Just take a weelx or ten. days to think over it, and try to love me. I will be satisfied then, wit 708 “ft do that, Aggie?” - hy iy “Yes,” she half whistler: © f “Thanks. ~ I only ‘want ta make you happy all your life,. rapt which you can never be working as you do now for a mere pit- ‘tanee.”) He left her then, and she ran up to her room, her head in a whirl and hér young heart in a flutter. ' She did not love him—had. never given him a thought when out of his presence. . But ‘the fact that she had received an offer of mar riage was what had set her young heart to flutter. ing like a caged bird: It was her rst offer, and so unexpected, ang from a rich | man, too. : Surely “that was enough to set a young | girt’s. heart. ina_ } flutter, and it is” not. io be wondered at that Aggie, was too b} excited to sleep any that night, Se he next day Aggie began to weigh: the. offer in her tind. “g ‘She was not yet seventeen years old, Had she been tok years as older: she would hot have hesitated a moment. ges _ But the idea of marrying ‘A man’ so old as Mr. ‘Seymour was: ‘not a pleasing one to her: But when she thought of the riches = had. promised her as his wifé, she wavered, — A? Thus for two weeks, she wavered. and longed to. have ‘some | trend ‘upon | whose advice she | co ld rely, At last she thoug
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7 U 16 THE PRIDE OF THE, VOLUNTEERS. } r Ca a en a NR She made up her mind that it was her duty to go-to he and his wanting to give her diamonds, but said she would not under the circumstances and seek her advice. The good-hearted old lady heard her simple story, and then asked: ; “Do you love him, ‘child?” “No, I do not—yet.I don’t dislike him.” “Then don’t marry him. Never give your hand without your heart. Better to live a lonely, loveless life, my child, than to marry a man you do not love.” “That is just how I feel myself, “ au6 said, “but thought I ought to tell you about it.” “Youyjdid right, my child. There are very few young girls | Redboro’ before. marry him, as she preferred to be happy than rich. “Well, well,” said Burke, when she concluded. “I’m ee afi I can understand it.” “Neither: can I. But you won't say anything about i to anyone?” “No; but I’ll keep an eye on him, though. “Hush! There he is now—over there. meee with, “some- one.” Y , Burke looked across the street and caught a gitinee of Sey- mour and a man whom he did not remember having seen. in The two men, on seeing ‘themselyes ob- who could resist such an offer as you Have receiyed. The right | served, parted and went off in different directions, kind of a man will come along after a while. You are very young yet,.and can afford to wait. girl and a pretty face need never go begging for a husband.” Aggie went back home with a light heart, for she was now convinced that her owm heart was right all the time. She | Burke left Aggie. Burke gazed at the other man as if trying to make out where Don’t be hasty. A, good|he had seen him before. He finally decided that the man was a stranger whom he had never met, Tn a little while the couple reached Mrs. Hart’s gate, and He went away toward his own home, and — : “thought of the bright, manly face of Burke Halliday, and won- Aggie returned to the house and locked herself in ‘Mrs, eoree ' dered if he woutd ever ask her to be his wife. How quickly her heart would say yes to such a question from him, though he had not a dollar in the world. room. ‘The man whom our hero had seen with Seymour passed the humble cottage of the Widow Halliday that evening, and seem- A day or two later she met Mr. Seymour in the.little yard ed to be inspecting the premises as much as he dared TOs 3 fe between the ac and the gate. He smiled and gave her his hand. Safad " “Mr. “Seymour,” she’ said, “I am ready now. to give you an / @uswer, and——” Burke: was deeply puzzled to know’what it all meant, and he made up his mind to consult Jack Alton about it the next day. He retired at an early hour and soon fell asleep. But some Res, time after midnight. he awoke, and lay there thinking about + “My dear friend,” he replied,’ interrupting pres “TI can see| Aggie Wayne and the offer of matriage she had received. An | from your face what. answer you have for me.’ You have not | hour passed, during which time he tried in vain to sleep again, 3 jo ¥et persuaded that heart of yours to love me. J can see that. But let: me vhelp you. five hundred dollars. off. * that somebody loves you, and love begets love, you know.” _ / But she drew her hand away, saying tremulously; is yi “You must not tempt me, Mr. Seymour. ‘T have’ examined . Tay heart thoroughly, and find that I don’t love you, and——” ; «] But maybe you’can learn to. do S02: a | “y fo. I don’t think I can.’ One cannot.say to her’ heart ‘love this or that one,’ and) pe obeyed, We could not be happy, and I had much rather be ‘happy” than/rich.”. “You seek the love of one younger than I am,” said he, look- ing her straight in the face. f “TI seek not the love of anyone. I tive tied to love you i because you are good and kind, but I cannot.” / ‘y “Will you wear this. ring for my. sake?” “No—tI cannot, What would people. think of a poor work ‘girl wearing diamonds. / Indeed, I cannot.” \ She turned and entered the house, leaving Fite pacing hacle | and forth in the ‘Vittle flower garden. “*She must—she shall be mine,” he said in a low. tone of od voice, as if afraid of being heard. mys If, that young Halliday is in my way he must be got out of it, | “She shall not escape me: that’s all, It won't stand being. refused by a little chit of a (girl like that, and for a boy who has nothing. to recommend hint but a qedictess’ indifference to fire! i sh CHAPTER CUA eee ge Y AGGIE WAYNE’S REVELATIONS. Hats Baines Haliday slowly recovered from his’ wound, and at the end of a ‘month he was allowed to go out on the street again, ~The first person he visited was Aggie Wayne. Be called on’ her at the millinery store, and “was welcomed. te eonduilly, by Miss Higgins and the pretty. or Hees Bic ee was, _ Joyous. in her reception of: Jhim.- They left the store together, as Burke signified ‘hiss Intaation of ae Hoan with her. ger Bee < ke | the window-sill. Fa “Please come over as Suddenly he thought he heard something at the window of ; See here—this is a diamond ring, worth / ‘his little room, . He look and listened. The slight noise was: Just see how your little hand will set it] vepeated, and he crept’ softly out of ‘bed to make an jnvestiga= : When you look at it on your finger it will remind you| tion. Going ta the widow and looking out, he saw the, form of a man on the outside. His head and shoulders. came up to tae Burke was astonished) He knew that’ no one would ecare.to burglarize the house of a family” as. podias ig" the Hallidays. It must, be that mischief to someone was the’ yi? motive. —) cae ‘ * tea iy “There was io weapon in the room save a ‘hatehet Criaett had. ie been lying on: ‘the little shelf above the washstand for months, wie He reached up and grasped the hatchet, and then, et still Ao ; await developments, } et : The window was raised softly by. the weet person, and © his / head protruded into the little’ room, SF cor Whack! ‘Burke brought ‘the hatchet down on the head: of Hi ‘| the man, ‘who dr opped ‘to the ground as suddenly as if a thun-- vit derbolt had struck him. s “+ “By George!” gasped our ‘hero, “I hit him with thes blade | when I only intended to give him a tap with the: hammer, soap He quickly lit the Jamp and held it out of the window.. es There lay a man whom he recognized as se one he had seen talking with Mr. Seymour. ° st i" “What does it meap! ” he gasped. “I les ide Ane call’ up Mr, Thompson across the street, as I can’t Teave the toast tying” ie here “4ill morning.” : t vey Leaving the lamp on the little washistand, Burke: Baby | dressed and slipped out of the house softly, so as aot to elena 7 his mother and sister. 2 Across the: street lived the Hi Gnaais who were the donee Wy of the Hallidays. He hastened’ to arouse Mr. Thompson. De ‘s “What's the matter, Bato Thomsen: “eeked, on veeogniz~ nee ing. the voice. of our hero, : BL cota ane as. you can, I am afraid | 4 killed a man who was trying Hee wa into the prods | Thompson. was fally. five mi nd ge ready t to ae with the young hi Wiehe
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fallen. The light from the lamp in Burke’s room was stream- ing through the window. Burke reached through the window and got the lamp. Brut when he held it so as to enable them to look for the man they were dumfounded at finding that he had gone away! iy CHAPTER XIt, BURKE INTERVIEWS SEYMOUR. Burke and Thompson looked at each other like men dream- ing, There on the ground was a pool of blood where the wounded man had fallen. There were bloodstains also on the side of the house where the man had placed his hands in ' serambling to his feet, but the man had disappeared. In the morning the police were notified, but nothiis was found of the wounded man, - Burke was overwhelmed: with questions, but would not say that he had any suspicions as'to who the man was. He made] up his mind, though, to speak to Mr. Seymour about it. | Before going to see Seymour he called on Jack Alton and} borrowed a revolyer from him. e “If you get a chance at the fellow, Burke, let him have every bullet. in the gun.” The second day after the midnight incident at the Halliday cottage Burke walked home with Aggie Wayne, and stood talking with her at the gate till he saw Mr. Seymour coming down the street. “Well, good-by, Aggie, ” he dae. shaking hands with her. “Til seé you in a:day or two again.” Aggie ran into the house, yery anxious. to ‘keep out of Sey- mour’s way since she had rejected his suit. Burke went up the street to meet him; and was greeted ploasantly by him when they met.. © “Have you found any clew to- your visitor’ of ihe other night?” Seymour asked. ‘Just a little one,” replied Burke. man who I knocked on the head at about sumset on the yery évening ‘of the oceurrence. ‘Aggie Wayne saw you also, though she does not know that it was the same man who paid me a. visit.” “Ah! IL know to whom you allude now. I was walking along over there on the other side, of the street when’ a stranger, whom I had never before seen, stopped’ to! inquire about a hotel in the town, just as I stopped you on the street the next gav after my arrival in town.” © . Burke looked up at him in a way that convinced Seymour _ that he did not believe his story, and said: “There is also another matter which J ‘want you to explain. When you. came here you were looking for the Widow Wayne, who had been dead over a year.” saa . “Yes, ” 4 / Bs - “You are now boarding at the same house with the swidow’s daughter.” ; “ “Ves, ”» - “You knew them before?” ¢ / «No. A man. who knew the widow years: ago gave me her name when he heard that t was coming Bee and va aed me to ¢all on her.” i mee “But you have not told. “Ageia that?” rs eae) We; Pe ¥ + “No, because she did not know the man. There was no use ‘in my doing so,” ' Burke was worse puzzled than ever, though he did not}. - believe a word of the story. He wanted to remind him of the| "proposal of marriage, but ‘his dis sees to Aggie prevented him from doing so. | ? “That yarn may ail ‘be true, Mr. Searchin he ; said, after a pause, “but I don’t take any. stock, in : eaere i Seymour Jaughed good-naturedly, and bsatde cc kr “Oh, el, r m not offering any stock for investm 1 THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS: ST saw you talking to nets ‘ay ought to elect you Grand Inquisitor of the town, to find out r the business of every man who comes to this place.” “If they did I’d soon find out all about. your friend in short | order,” retorted Burke, “My friend?” “Yes, your friend, who came to me to get his seen chopped! ig Seymour reached for his revolver, and Burke reve his first, hissing: : “P’ve got the drop on you!” When Seymour saw that the young denan had the atop on him with a revolver, he Pye put up his own pabies too and remarked: “There’s no use in disging a Sy about a. matter a does not concern me,” — “Of course not, » sneered ieee ane as long as I hale the drop on you, at any rate.” “Well, you go your way and I’ll go mine,” returned Sano: “My way is to follow up the man who tried to kill me,” said Burke, “and Ihave traced him up to where I saw him it to you.” “And I have told you all I know about him, You Sine very well that I once accosted you on the street in the same way. What do I know or care about, you tat I should have an in- terest;in you dead or alive?” Burke could not say as much as he siente to, as a number _ of people were passing down on the other side of ‘the street every minute or two. “He: was. bound by his premise to Aggie Wayne not to mention anything she had told him in regard t© Seymour, and hence did not do so, Seymour saw that the young fireman could “not refute his argument, and with a self-satisfied smile, turned and walked toward the gate of the Hart cottage, ~ Burke walked slowly down” the street toward his home, thinking over what had oceurred, wondering what the mystery. y was that overshadowed him. hes fa “There's something wrong, as Sure, as my, pnme is Burke.’ “Halliday,” he mutiered to himself, “and I want to get at the ‘pottom of it. I don’t know but two men who have anything against me—Dingly and. Pendergast—and Z don’t: believe. either of them would want.me killed, Why should that fellow, ‘a: ‘per- ‘fect stranger in Redboro’, want to do me any. ‘harm?> Hanged if I ain’t puzzled to: know what to think about it. I'll ag Jack all about it, and see what he thinks sof it.” When Burke reached his home he sat down on bis little piazza and began to ‘think oyer his ‘conversation with. Sey- mour. ee ae Mette Mamie came to the door and said that Supper was ea and he went in to join her and vhis mother. _ Mr | Halliday ask- hed him if he had found, out anything about t iby visi- ‘tor. ‘ Soh ’ “Not: a ‘thing, mother,” he -peplied, ~ a “It is very strange, isn’t. it?” sy ee “Yes, indeed. It puzzles ° ‘me to understand noe a ‘man, Bor, ered with blood as he was, coud get away without somebody . si seeing him.” i * : iy y i “It was midnight, you know,” suggested. his ‘mother. “Very true, but daylight came; too, and. he had to. wash ae and change his clothes, if he had any to change with, and | ave his wound dressed. It seems to me that. somebody must have found out ‘something a as a eNO oe RO Tk on ca oh “Yes, it would seem, s0,”. ny “T am on the lookout ‘Phat night ee —s ‘tok her. x rs. He Sgn he we “Well, we may get at the bottom: of it yet” remarked ase. ‘e ‘ fa know. ibn” fellow if = saw him: i again. ” re mnie * » y 3 t toask —- let him tell Tack oh a
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18 “Is Aggie at home, Mrs. Hart?” he gsked, on episiing the room, “Yes, I believe she is,” said the landlady. her?” “Yes, I would like to see her.” “Well, take a seat, and Ill call: her. 2 Burke seated himself and Mrs, Hart left the room. _ Seymour looked at him with a very serious expression of countenance, ’“Halliday;” he said, “I’ye a proposition to make to you, which, if you will accept it, will pay you a thousand dollars a year and your traveling expenses.” Burke was astonished, but was not to be aah “T don’t want to haye anything to do with you,” he said. “You don’t like me, and I am not in love with you, so it’s bet- ter for us to keep away from each other.” _ Just then Mrs. Hart returned’ to the-room and said: “Aggie will see you in the dining-room, Burke.” “Thanks, ” and he arose and left the room without speaking : ag in to Seymour. “Shall I eall \ /- ‘Aggie was ‘both glad and surprised to see him. She was all |- smiles, and asked:. What in the world brought you out to-night, Burke?” .“Why, you did,” he replied. ’ “Well, I am honored indeed. ”. : “Of course you are, and so 4m I. The truth is, I want to tél Jack Alton what you told me about that old chap in the + Parlor, and you must let me do it.” “Why do you wish to-tell him?” ee “Because he may be able to unravel the mystery of his con- - duct toward you.” ; |) “I don’t think there is any use of that,” she said. declined his offer, and that is the end of it.” _ “But you told ‘me that he would not take no for an answer.” “Well, I guess he'll make up his mind to-do so after awhile,” and a very determined look came into her ey es as she spoke. “You won’t let me tell him, thon “No—not now, Burke.” “Well; that’s all,” and he started to. leave “You are not angry with, me?” she asked. _“No—of. course: not.” ‘ : “Then sit, down and talk to me. Fel me how, you feel after ' your last adventure.” “T have “T am feeling well enough, and expect to go to work ¥o3 “Mor. row or next day.” : “You may do wrong to go 44 work’ so soon.” ’ \ “J don’t thitik so. I can’t aitord to Jose any more on i *Pd wait another week, anyhow. # “T cannot aitord ite. Ve ‘ After nearly an hour’s talk with | ha Burke took leave’ ot her and returned to his humble home, and left the young or- phan to retire: fo hen, room f CHAPTER XIIL , ot , THE eRe T IO OF THE FLAMES. de ‘The next morning after the interview with Seymour Burke Sika to work-in the store again. He was. quite recovered from the ‘effects of the blow he had | a “received on the head. Everyone who came into the store had a kind word for him. ~ _ That night the. alarm of fire startled him from his: sleep. He sprang out. of bed and dressed quicker than ever before | in his tis, and dashed st a aga oe street xs ‘the’ top of os ~ speed, THE PRIDE OF THE. VOLUNTERRS. was unconscious, ‘put kept mumbling something that could not | be understood. Suddenly Burke caught a little. better co of his face, and he cried out in surprise: way.” : another ran down to Hagan’s béarding-house to. get Hagan’ ta ‘come up and see if he knew the man. ayy res unconscious. man, “and said he was ‘from Buffalo, and ga name to me as. ‘Morris. ‘That's all 1 mow about, hi Pele—black Pete—the fain fireman’s eee gaye a yell beet me of welcomé as he saw the young hero dash into the engine- room. The next moment they were dashing along the street at the top of their speed in the direction of the fire. 5 it was in a small shop alongside of a vacant building, and was caused by carelessness of some of the employees, who left a hot stove going at full blast. 4 There being no one in the factory, all the energies ofthe | firemen were directed toward the saving of the es and the stock inside. The smoke was very dense, which rendered it pee 3 ait * ficult for them to do much in the way of saving the contents of is the building.. Yet they worked like beavers. Suddenly the. vacant old frame building alongside the fac- tory took fire, and one of the streams was turned upon it, The house was like an old tinder box; arid in a minute or so it was doomed. 4 Hark! A piercing yell was heard, coming from ane upper story of the old frame house. The next instant Burke Halliday had iieepaeaed through the open door of the doomed building. The ladder had not been placed against the vacant butlaing because it was not needed, But the moment the young hero had disappeared in the Smoke and flame inside Alton called: ““Up with the ladder! Be ready for him!” One—two—three minutes: of suspense passed. zweee suds denly a, ery Of: E “There he is!” burst from the crowd that nad gathered at. the scene. Burke was at the window struggling with a man heavier than himself. Jack Alton sprang up the ladder like’ a ; squirrel, calling out: “Ym coming, lad! tumble out!”) Here you pee Give me the fellow ent: Alton took the man from him, and Burke slid down the lad-) der almost suffocated. When he reached: the ground ater back gered and fell, gasping for breath, a Gy A half dozen firemen rushed forvane ‘to drag him away from = i the fire and smoke and give him a chance to get some fresii, air. around / for Adton. The foreman was across the street” in front. of the fire, whither he had carried the man Burke. had found om in/the burning building. : He soon recovered and got up on his feet and looked se There was a crowd dround the man, trying, to make out boy) tid he ‘was. No one seemed to iknow him,, until one man thought he. a8 @ man who had been Stopping down at Hagan’ Ss. boarding-house for several days. ‘Burke came up and looked. at’ ‘him, The man” “Great Cesar! The man I chopped with a hatchet!» 424 Hxclamations of astonishment, burst from every man pres- ent, and they all crowded forward to get a look a Lec: a face, ; “What's his name?” — “T don’t. know, but he’s the man. Look! “there's the ‘tan chet, cut,” and he lifted an old greasy cap ‘that had been. drawn i " J down over his head, and exposed a aalbsewns aoe on eg left | side of the head, “Send for a surgeon, at said Alton. “He s seems to be in a bad Black Pete set off” for the surgeon of the arene ehiie Hagan’ and the surgeon arrived about the same pag z “He came to my house a week ago,”-said he, looking’ at the ny
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“No, I don’t want him,” replied Hagan. : “Take him to the drug store, then,” ordered the surgeon. “Can he pull through?” one of the old citizens asked. “JT can’t say just yet,” replied the doctor. “T want to make an examination right away.” : Quite.a crowd followed him to the drug store, where he was | laid on a sofa or lounge, so the doctor could make an examina- ’ tion of his injuries, After a faithful search the doctor was able to find but bea spots that indicated burns, and they, while’ very baign no doubt, were not dangerous. ~ “He seems to be suffering from loss of blood and shock,” » said the doctor. “It came from the wound on the head.” . Then he examined the wound and found that it had been. very badly dressed, as if the man hag performed that opera- tion for himself. The news fiew all over the town (for more than half the} population lad jumped out of bed to run to the fire) that the man Burke Halliday had cut with the hatchet had been cap tured. People wondered what would happen next when they heard the story that Burke had rescued him from certain death at the risk of his life. - The doctor worked with the man tie mae of the night eater to restore him to consciousness, ever, and it looked as though the wretch would pass in hig chips without being able io utter an intelligible word to any- one, Burke remained at the drug store all the rest of the night, hoping the man would recover consciousness and be able to give an account of himself. But he was doomed to, disappointment. The man seemed to grow weaker every hour, and ‘the doctor said he did not believe that he would recover. - “Well, I know what to do, then,” and Burke. went out of the drug, store and hastened up the street. The sun was ‘just rising aver the tops of the hills enbuna Redboro’ when Burke entered. the yard of the Hart cottage. | Aggie had just come-down ‘to breakfast when Burke entered. “Why, Burke!” she cried, “what's the matter?) You have been up all night!” “Yes. up all night with a man who was hurt.” a heat@that somebody was hurt. Is he very badly hurt?” “Yes—very Dadly. 2 4 / 2 “Come and have a cup of coffee and some hot rolls, Burke,” | - ‘hurt, but he Jed me to believe that he was a friend of ‘mine, 7 testy frs. Hart; with whom he was’ a great favorite. post be tired and hungry.” 2 “Thanks, but I haven’t time. I came up after Mr. Seymour. | ~The man who was hurt wants ‘to see him,” “Well, wash your face and hands and have some breakfast. Mr. Seymour will be down in ten minutes.” ' Between Mrs. Hart and ‘Aggie he was forced to bathe. his face, and hands and sit down to breakfast, He didn’t know how hungry he was till he began eating. Then he found that he was half famished, and ate ravenously, Just as he was through eating Mr. Seymour came dowr to _ breakfast. He was very much surprised at. seeing him there. “Mr. Seymour, a man was taken out of a burning building last night, who was very badly hurt. He is at Dr. Smith’s drug store, dying, and wants to see you right away. eee - “Wants to see me!” said he in great surprise. “Yes, He is the man T was talking to you about the songs evening.” Seymour uenied. ashen-hued and staggered back against the wall for support. He glared wildly around the room for a mo- ment, and then fastened his gaze on Burke. 4 : “What—did—he—say?” he asked, in a hoarse, hollow tone. £F mone know,” met Burke. “He wants to'see you right way. a , - ee ee ce fa “You » THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. ee He seemed too weak, how-} I didn’t go back home after the fire. I’ve been sitting | =, _ He dropped into a chair and gaapeds is i ” “Is—he—dying?” : “Yes, the doctor thinks he is. Won't you go to ace At ' Seymour was silent for a whole minute, Mrs. Hart and Aggie gazing at hiny in amazement. 3 “Yes,” he said, “I'll go. You shocked me at first. 34 “T thought it would shock you,” said Burke. “It shocked me when I found ‘out who he was,” and Burke led the way out of the house, followed by Mr. Seymour, Sa pag baat nt t + Coa XIV. "BURKE'S DODGE ‘ro ENTRAP spraoUn, Outs on ‘the Sica Burke. walked as se as is could with Bevmont by his side. ; i “What does he say?” Seymour asked, has. face atin ashen. : hued and a wild look in his eyes. ; Es “Nothing at all: He is unconscious—has been. all the time. I ealled to. satisty myself that you did know him. I am satis- fied. I have two witnesses to the fact that you nearly fainted when I told you the man wanted to see you.” . Seymour was in a rage. au coer Magee baa) and hé ground ys his teeth, as he hissed: ix “I had forgotten your insolenies of the other ‘any, but this I ‘will neither forgive hor forget. I shall have my revenge, Burke Halliday,” and he turned to go. back to the house which he had just left ‘without, his breakfast... Se “You had better come,” urged the young fireman. “He max come to before he goes, and ask to see you.” Seymour re-entered the house and passed up io bis 700m, : much to.the surprise of Mrs. Hart, who did not expect to = him back so soon. x ‘half hour later he came down. to Drenitaat, looking as calm as a summer day. es “You didn’t go down to the drug store, Mr. Seymour?” Mrs. Hart remarked, “No, ma’/am. That. young Halliday Basar me a cee joke, for which I can never forgive | him, Mrs. Hart.”* 3 What! | Was that all a joke? Isn’t there a man Very badly 2 hurt at the. drug store?” Sees t “Yes, ma’am,. the man is there, I suppose, and very badly and that he had asked to see me before he died. By question- ing him I found out that the man was a stranger to me, and had not asked tor me at all. Oh, I can’t t forgive Burke tor : that!” 5 “Well, aa, Td never. rthought Burke would do such a cruel thing as that} I really cannot understand itt : = “Neither ca US ae ‘there was- a law to punish: men for such actions, ['d give him the full benefit of ith” i Aggie had gone to the store where she was employed, ' and did not know what had ‘occurred after Tes end: Seymour left %: the cottage. 9 » Rane es Mase Burke went back to the drug siore, ees found: that the man was still unconscious, and sinking gradually. The doctor said he would probably die without recovering: consciousness. % : Burke went home to Jet his mother and. sister” ‘know that he was all right, and tell them the news, (hes ME They were both very much astonished, and thought it um : fortunate indeed that the man could not clear up a mys= ue ‘tery ere he died. — see oa Fe Mrs. Hart told a Pe ae the joke Burke had. pk a on Mr. sf Seymour, and in a couple of: hours: ‘a dozen women were Ter pestiny, it to their aequabitatios, each: one emi elishing it 40) ght ‘
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+ e 20 THE PRIDE OF The wounded man lay on the lounge at the drug store till very late in the day, growing weaker every hour, and just be- fore sunset he breathed his last without having spoken a word to anyone. The coroner summoned a jury and held an inquest. THE VOLUNTEERS. “What caused it, anyhow?” } Just. at that moment Burke thought of his package which the stranger had given him up the street, and ran out of the Burke told his story, and the jury decided that it was, in their | crowd to look for it where he had dropped it. judgment, a case of justifiable homicide. Burke went home that night sadder than ever before i in his life. He had found out that he, after saving several lives, had at last taken one. ' His conscience did not chide him. He sim-~- ply regretted the occurrence, and was very gloomy all that evening, The next day he went back to the store\and pro- ceeded to work harder than ever before in order to keep from thinking about what had taken place. : _ After a hard day’s work he left the store to return to his home. He had gone about half-way when he was accosted by a stranger, who asked him if he was Burke Halliday. “Yes, that’s my name,” he replied. “A friend sent you this. Take it home and look at it,” and : he hurried away after placing a package in Burke’s hand. Burke took the package from the stranger in a mechanical sort of way, thinking that perhaps some friend had prepared a littie surprise for him. He was going to ask the ‘man who had sent it, but he hurried away so fast that he had no chance to speak to him. He held it out and looked at the shape of it. It séemed to be an oblong box about ten inches long by four or five wide, and as many deep. Sifddenly he held it to his ear and a smile came over his face. |’ “Ah! It’s a small clock,” he said. “I can hear it ticking, Well, I’d like to have a small clock for my bedroom, and T think this: is just what I need.” He put it under his’ arm and ‘went D his way, thinking of the surprise, he had in store for his mother and sister. Suddenly ‘he heard a noise up the street behind him, dnd on looking back, beheld a horse drawing a buggy with one man in it, come at full speed. ! The man in the buggy was desperately tugging at the lines din a, vain endeavor to control the spirited animal. The horse was wild and unmanageable. His eyes. were glaring and nos- trils distended. People on the str eet ran hither and thither to escape a possible danger, “Burke started to look out for himself, ‘when he saw a young 4 mother and two children attempt to’ yun across the street in front of the eareering steed, With an exclamation of horror he dropped his package and sprang forward to save the chil- dren. Just as he caught up one of them he heard an explosion behind him that shattered the glass in the houses on either side of ‘the street, and was heard miles away. He was,thrown to the ground by the concussion, as was the mother ane the : two little girls, Meee fi \ On pulling himself together he looked around and found the horses lying Gead in the street, the driver “unconscious and - bleeding, and the buggy amass of. kindling wood, People were hastening to the spot from every direction. Women and children ran out of the house, uttering cries of alarm, and every man was asking what had happened, . _ “What in creation has happened?” Buife asked ‘himself, looking around him in a dazed sort of Away. The terror- Stricken mother of the two children he had saved clung to ad and her little ones, pleading: . “For. God’s sake take us away!” : “He led her into one of the houses across, the street and left hex there. ; Hastening over the way again, he joined the’ crowd that had ‘gathered around the man found in the wreck ‘of the bugey, and he, asked who he was. ‘ “Gus. Dingly,” replied > one ‘of the bystanders. os “The deuce! Is) he much hurt?” ; put he ae it’s. ios We the bugey is a. mass ot Ao He looked around to locate the thing, and finally decided that he had dropped it near the place of the explosion. But on looking for it not a vestige of it could he find. “T say, Burke,” said a man, tapping him on the shoulder, | “what did you have in that package you dropped on the street when you ran to help that lady and her two children ot of } the way of that horse?” “Hanged if I know,” he replied. “A man up the street gaye it to me, saying that a friend had sent me a present, and ad- | vised me to take it home and look at it. I thought there was t a small clock in it, as I could hear it ticking as I held it up to | my ear. I dropped it when I ran to red that Bap and would like to find it.” “Well, I guess you'll never find it scan” “Why? Who took it?” “Nobody. I was sitting on my pinsia over there, and saw you when you dropped it. I was looking at it when the horse struck it with his forefoot. It exploded, killed the horse, splin- tered the buggy, and played the mischief generally.” “Good Lord!” gasped Burke. | : “Didn’t you know it was loaded?” : “No. If, I hadn’t drepped it, it would have killea ne I would have been blown to atoms, and no one would Have ever known what did it,” Burke was sick at the idea of the peril he had been piesa in, and leaned against one of the shade trees that lined the | street on either side. Pues B : By.this time a score or more of people had crowded around our hero and the man who had been an eye-witness of the explosion, and the story, had to be tepeated several times. Gus Dingly was taken up ‘and carr ied to! ‘his hore, bleeding ; from several wounds and still unconscious. See Joe Pendergast, when.he heard the story of the explosion ot a the package Burke had dropped’ in» the street, hinted that Bur ke was getting even mee Gus, though he might have ‘3 spared the horsey iz “Do you think he did it 48 blow. up Gus?” a bystander asked: “It looks that away to me. Burke is a bad egg when he gets, _ a grudge against aman,” See yee ¥ His words were repeated. People in i aseatiae the stoi Said. ; that Burke threw. an explosive in front of the horse, killed the — animal, wrecked the buggy, and came near’ winding 1 up Gus. Mer But few talked of his saving the lives of the mother and two children. Trath : ‘is rapid, and in less’ than an hour Burke was. an object of suspicion with many of ‘the good citizens of Red- ra boro’. Jack Alton: came up to his house to see him, ie “Burke, my lad,” he. said, “they are saying that you. tried ie 4 kill Gus Dingly with nitro-glycerine. oi Sopa “My God!” gasped Burke. “Do they say that of me?” eee “Yes, and some of your friends are going back on the youns- hero of the Wide Awakes. Tell me the ‘straight of it, and q i make some. ‘of ‘em sick? evs Burke told the story briefly. é ie Sted ean “Well,” said Alton, “that puts a different face on it altogétn er. It was a diabolical plot to blow you_up, as that clock would have set the. thing off before you got home, and that would have been the ast vof you.” \~ : ; “Yes, I am sure of it,” replied Burke, “ond Yet, because Dingly and i are not friends, some ‘say I tried to murder him , “The truth will come out all’ ‘right in ‘the end, lad, Alton, “and the Wide Awakes all believe in you. You hay done {notte wrong, hoy wever much RSS may raves agal st “Hanged if I know!” ~ | ij j
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{ f, | | i | | 4 ~——- That night Gus Dingly recovered consciousness, and said that he saw Burke Halliday throw an explosive under his horse which blew up the whole turnout. Those who heard it were amazed. Everybody knew that Burke and. Gus were en-~ emies. That fact alone made everything look suspicious. A justice of the peace was sent for. He came, and on the charge made by Gus issued a warrant for the arrest of Burke. The constable was a relative of the Dinglys, and he hastened | to make the arrest in as insolent’a manner as possible. When he reached the cottage, Jack Alton and several other firemen were there. He entered without knocking at the door, and seizing Burke by the collar, said: “I want you, you young murderer!” Jack sprang to his feet, and clutching him by the throat, hissed: “Hands off the lad, or ri murder you!” “I’ve got a warrant for him,” said the constable. *r You have? Why didn’t you show it as you came in, instead of acting like a brute?” The constable then showed his warrants “Why didn’t you wait till morning to arrest him?” Alton asked,, “That’s none of your business.” ; “It isn’t, eh? We'll see! Get out of here! You'll find Burke at the engine-house to-morrow morning. You shall not have the pleasure of locking him up to-night. Come on, Burke, we'll stay with you at the engine-house til] morning.” The constable left in a hurry to report to the justice, whilg Burke went with his friends to the engine-house of the Wide Awake Fire Company. ‘ CHAPTER XV. “MR. SEYMOUR GIVES | UP AND LUAVES THE FIELD... The justice was so indignant at having his warrant defied that he called on the sheriff to make the arrest. That officer went to the engine-house to look for Burke, accombanies by _,the constable and the justice himself. They found about a dozen firemen there with their red shirts on, keeping company. with the young ‘hero. THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. en ieenenaaeer ee eee ae nen a naan! wy aeons ee ne 21 nearly two weeks. He was very. bitter ‘against the Foing fire- man, saying that it was a daring attempt.on his part to kill him. 7 - But who was the man that gave him the machine? Burke *|had a description of him printed, and the description given by the two ladies who saw the man give him the machine tallied exactly with his. The description of the man was sent every- where and to New York City, supposing that/he might have escaped to the city. But days passed and still nothing was ‘heard of the stranger, and Burke resumed his work in the store. One evening, a the boarding-house, Seymour joined Aggie in the parlor, and said: “Tam going away soon, Aggie: bad ‘ “Why, where are you going, Mr. ‘Seymour? ee “Back to New York. My business is nearly inccatan: here. | But do you know that I am not yet\able to make we my mind to give you up, Aggie?” “J am sorry for that, Mr. Seymour,” she said, “for you must make up your mind to do so in the end. I can never be your « wife.” “Ts that your final answer, Mecigtn he said. “Yes, sir. I have made up my mind, ane nothing on earth can change it.” : “Well, my happiness is ruined forever. TJ ‘know that I have’ no right to alter your decision—perliaps no right to expect: you to love me. But, as you said weeks ago, one cannot controt his or her affections. I love you better than my own soul— betler than all my riches, and J shall go away leaving my * heart with you. We may never met again, Aggie. ‘Will you let me leave with you a memento of my love?” and he drew the superb diamond ring he had once before offered her, and Ami ped it on her finger. Aggie gazed at the magnificent jewel and ashe’ pale. “No—no! A poor girl can’t wear such a jewel as that! sy And she quickly drew it off = held it out for him to take again, ' “Keep it, even though’ you do not wear, it,” he said. “I only ask that you do not let it pass out of your possession as long. , Tt took just about three minutes to convince the sheriff that | as you live. Whenever you look upon it you will be’sure’to it would be better policy to defer making the arrest till the next morning. He had had enough of the firemen, and didn’t want any more. The Wide Awakes made: a night of it. A res- Res oh nearby supplied them With hot coffee and sandwiches. When morning came they marched out to breakfast, ate heartily, and then waited for the justice’ S court to open. _, Two hours later a dozen substantial citizens hastened to the} justice’s courtroom to offer bail for the young fireman. The preliminary hearing resulted in bail to a moderate amount be- ing fixed. It was promptly furnished by: Mr. \Houghton, the A, father of Bessie Houghton, and Burke was allowed ‘to go. As may well be supposed, the town of Redboro’ was in a fever of excitement during all this time, and all sorts of ru- “mors floated about. One never knew what to believe. It now seemed that Burke would haye to stand trial for an alleged ‘attempt on the life of Gus Dingly. The firemen clubbed to- gether and hired the best lawyers that could be found to de- fend him. Witnesses kept cdming forward to tell him what y; infer nal machine, designed for his own destruction. Then two | : ladies said they saw him receive the package from the stranger. ney _ they knew about the explosion, and in less than two days three reputable citizens said they saw the whole business—that his ~ gallant rescue of the lady and her two children was the sole cause of his dropping the package which turned out to be an His lawyer told him that he was in no danger whatever from | _ the suit, and that he would be acquitted by. the jury ‘without ; Oe te their seats. \ 7 ; Gus Dingly was s badly inurt by the explosion, and | ei, in hed | 4 ; ee remember me. J shall not be entirely forgotten. Good-by. now; I shall not see you in the morning, ‘ and he held out his hand to her, She gave him her hand and said: “Good-by, Mr. Seymour. I hope you may forget me in the love of one who can return your affection.” “T/shall never love again,” he said, and, Avitie her a nervous shake of the hand, he turned away and went to his room. | The next day she left the house after an ear ly. breakfast, and — was at the store before he was out of bed. ~ During the day Seymour paid his bill, made Mrs. Hart a handsome present, and left, going to the railroad station in a carriage which he had ordered the day before. ~ is The next day after he left a well-dressed woman came into the millinery store to make some purchases, and, in the course of conversation said: “IT am stopping at the Redboro’ House, but would rather live ‘at a private boarding-house, and, as I am obliged to remain — : here a fortnight, would pay ‘well for room and board in a at house.” wi i “My landlady bef: a vacant room, 46 said Aggie, “which meh suit you.” ; “Where is it?” “Down Main street. “Anyone can tell you which is Mrs Hart's house. EY Nin oil ie apna Y “ft am ever ns much obliged’ to you,” maid the woman. shall ride down there. and’ see for’ myself.” aie ; Pie left the oe and went out to a car ago which: n soo in . i 2 ag
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22° THE PRIDE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. front of ihe place. When Aggie went home that evening Mrs! Hart was in'a smiling good humor. She had sectired a new boarder who had paid her as much for a week as two persons usually paid in a month. Mrs. Emma Ccnant—the new -boarder—proved to be very pleasant company indeed. She played and sang, and made the ‘house lively. Then she bought no end of sefetabeite of every description, and in a couple of oe had completely won the heart of Aggie Wayne. One day, about a week after the divival of the new boarder, a carriage drove up to the door of Mrs. Hart’s cottage, Mrs. Hart wondered greatly, but in a few minutes she heard her new boarder coming downstairs, ; “IT am going to take a ride through your lovely little city,” said she, “and would like ever so much to have you go along.” Mrs, Hart lost no time in getting ready for the ride. It was a bright oasis in the double-trouble Sea of her life, and she felt truly grateful to her generous-héarted boarder for the _ treat. Just as Aggie was leaving the store the carriage stop- “ped there, and Mrs, Hart’s cheery voice called out to her: “Ageie! Child! Come ride with us.” The young girl stopped and gazed at her in astonishment. “Why, Mrs. Hart!” she exclaimed. ] “Come. Get in and ride home with us,” said the new board- “er; ‘Making room for her as the coachman held open the door: Aggie could not recollect that she had ever ridden in a-car= riage in all, her life. it had Jong been a dream of hers to ride in a fine carriage and look to the right and left at the houses, ~ trees, gardens, green fields, and feel as happy as the birds. She uttered a cry of joy and sprang into the carriage. “Oh, this is glorious!” She cried, leaning back in the soft- cushioned seat. “I did not dream of such a delicious ride as this,” “J am glad you enjoy it, - cainabwed the lady. “If you wish Tt we will ride down fhe river road a couple of miles.” “Oh, I would like it ever so much!” she replied. But Mrs, Hart shook her head. ; “You will have to go without me,” she said. “I must get * out and see about supper, for I know you ‘will be hungry enough after your ride.’ “ “Well, we'll: be ‘back just’ in time. to eutiy the supper,” re- plied the lady, as the carriage Stanees: in front of the house to let Mrs. Hart get out. The long drive down the river road was one that one, not a confirmed dyspeptic, could not have failed ‘to enjoy. Aggie . was delighted beyond measure, and thanked _ her generous friend a dozen times during - the ride, A On the way back Aggie saw Burke Halliday retur’ ae to his ‘home from the store. “Oh, there’s Burke,” she Btclatnted, “Who's Burke?” het companion asked. “Why, Burke Halliday, the brave young: fireman sah ts have heard us all talking about so much. ‘There he is.” She waved her hand’to the young hero. Burke lifted his hat and bowed. The.lady looked back at Burke, and saw him standing where he stopped on recognizing Aggie in the car- riage. ““T am sorry we did not ask him to ride with ig she said, “as I should like to see him and make his acquaintance.” ‘ “Oh, he is one of the best fellows in the world,” said Aggie, ‘quite enthusiastic in praise of the young hero, “You like him very much, do you?” the lady pases ' Aggie blushed and looked. away. “That tell-tale blush,” exclaimed ‘the lady, eapstee ‘the question. Well, Iam not, surprised at it.. He saved your life at the risk of his ‘own, and the Pomaanice hath © ape a6 complete |. i unless. love: came in and——” “Burke hi : never uttered a “word so love to any yet,” ” aa ene ee AS ancl ea ab cS ALS MD AE are Vee ae a st acca eA ear | said Aggie, suddenly turning and facing her companion. “Be is nothing but a: boy yet.” “Yes—yes, I know that, and yet. he seems to be every iikios a man. He is indeed a hero, and no young girl can be blamed for falling in love with him. Were I to know him at your age I would certainly fall in love with him, too.” “Of course you would,” laughed Aggie.- “All ihe girls in Redboro’ like Burke, _He is kind to everybody, “and is so brave.” By this time the carriage returned to the: Hart ieusens where Aggie and the lady left it and entered the house,’ iz The coachman drove away; and Aggie asked of her com- panion: “Ts that your carriage?” “Yes, dear.” = “How rieh you must pel? ye ekg “It am rich enough to be able to live without Care,” was the © reply. “And yet I was once as poor as you are, my child. iar Aggie opened wide her eyes. ; “How did you get rich?” the young girl asked, as they en- is tered the lady’s room. ; “T was a shop girl in New York,” answered the other, “and . one of the owners of the shop. took a faney to me: He was old enough to pe my grandfather, but was very rich and kind and good, and so I married him. I now own the shop, and several big stores besides.” : x Aggie looked at her in astonishment. “Did you love him?” she asked. 3 A “No—of course’ not. TI married him for- his. Presiey. and. Lai: got it. I am happy now as the happiest. I tell you, child, that — riches go a long way in this world toward ans: life eects : living. z ; Aggie had something te think about that night, and it may fe well be supposed that she did more thinking than sleeping. ges Here was a woman happy in the possession of everything that... heart covfld wish, who had taken an offer similar to. haasthee: she had rejected. Which of the two was the wiser? When she’ came down to breakfast the next morning. she was smiling and happy, and her greeting ‘to Mrs. Hart. on s, new boarder was that of a bright, ‘sunny-hearted. young ' When she was leaving the breakfast table the new vada said, to her: 4 vel j 3 é “We-shall hdve uhother ride to-morrow if you can go.” . “Oh, I-ean go well enough,” » she pte “Miss: very kifd to me.” How I did wish you were with us! 4 ‘ ¢ “You did seem to” enjoy it, *) a Beesueik was it?” if “The ape ‘who toute at Mrs. Hart's. we “Whose carriag } & ‘She was s oned a a pe , aught to be happy. all the time.” “Yes, I think so, too. I am going: to ride th ber ag morrow afternoon. Bs ae ae “Good! Hare: all the fun you can.’ a a
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THE: PRIDE Of THE VOLUNTERRS. BOS or A en em Wayne had been carried. Aggie had recovered consciousness by that time, and received her friend with tears of joy in the room thai had been Siven up, to the three unfortunate victims CHAPTER XVI. : BURKE GETS A CLEW TO A MYSTERY. All day long Aggie Wayne was thinking about her promised of fhe dire. ride. That evening when she returned home she told her Burke wen’ back = the pies. ot conflagration and worked : _ generous friend that Miss Higgins had kindly given her per, nobly, to: Save: 9p aiiich Of the prop SRY AR possible. ipat Be eitusion, Sésatc ais hasene ae gs edie: flames had made such headway ere they were discovered that NARs little of value was saved. The house, being an old frame cot- - The evening was spent in ‘conversation, and at the usual tage, the timbers of which being very ary, was a total loss, hour they all retired. When the occupants of the upper part Not even the wearing apparel of the women was saved, of the house, awoke they were nearly strangled with smoke. } Ageie and Mrs. Tart: were, given some dresses to waar the The kitchen had taken fire, and the lower portion was in’ next morning. Good old Aunt Pegey Bethune came to thet ‘flames ere anyone was aware of it. assistance with’ everything they needed. Bessie Houghton’s - Then came wild, piercing screams for help from the fawmate wardrobe furnished an outfit for Aggie, and: es other lady was | por tion of the household. The engines Saas uD at full speed. so fortunate as to have her purse and diamonds in the pocker _gnd in another minute the firemen had the ladders up to the! of the dress Burke had thrown oyer her in the room where ~ windows. Burke eame in firs - with Alton Behind him. fis earthen She was able to purchase such. things as she | “Burke—Burke! save me!” cried Aggie, running witaly needed, although quite, By number of ladies tendered. her the use around the room, blinded by the smoke, — of theirs wardrobes. : : “Here I am, Aggle!” cried Burke. “Where are you?” The fire over, the Wide Awakes. eee to their ‘quarters, She uttered a cry of Joy, and rushed in the direction of his | where Jack and Burke were congratulated by their comrades ; _yoice. He caught her in his arms and bore her to the window. | on their gallant exploits that evening: ; To climb out and bear her down to'safety was the work of but Neither of them ‘Had received any, ‘injuries, \which was a a couple of minutes more. She was in her night-dress, just a8 | mipacie under the ¢ireumstances, and.they ¢ congratulated each she sprang out of bed, and had fainted from excitement. other heartily on that score, Burke hastily rushed over to the next house with her, and| y¢ was a little after midnight when. the fite proke eit: and it gave her in charge of one of the neighbors. was nearly -daylight when the brave firemen went home to Jack Alton brought down Mrs, Hart, who was much heavier } snatch an hour or two of sleep before ‘zoing to business or "than Aggie, and not so easily handled. She, too, haisly escap-|} work, On retiring to his rooni, Burke threw off his clothes ed with her night-dress. very quickly, and in doing so he heard something drop on the’ _ gust as Jack reached the ground wilh Mrs. Hart, Burke | floor. Looking down to see what it was, he found a§mall heard a series of piercing shrieks in another room. He sprang | package which he recollected having found in one of the shoes / “up to the ladder with the nimbleness of a squirrel; and disap-| belonging to Mrs; Hart’s lady’ boarder, when he took them out -peared through the window, — “lof the burning puilding © = : The screams came from another room, and he threw himself It was a small notebook containing ; a it folders and memor- against the. door, with all the force his weight could give. The /anda. He was about to place the ‘package on. the littletable to “door flew open, , and he staggered into the room, remain till morning, when he could restore them to their own- “Save me! Save me!” cried a lady, rushing into his arms. |er, when he saw. his own name written in the Hotton Hat was Burke caught her, but found that she was much ‘heavier ‘exposed just below, the’ edge of the noteboo! ‘than himself, and thought that if she swooned He would nevyer| Burke was not different from any other boy. b regard to “be able to get her out: human nature. A nice sense of honor would have suggested to She clung to him! ‘as if for lite. ej eaiie of flame reached |‘him the propriety of closing the book and laying: it away. But thr ough the door ‘and set her night-dress on fire, It blazed wp |he had been reared in the rough school of.poverty whére he “nan instant. Burke put the fire out, and smfatched up a sili, | had to struggle for his bread almost from thé day he hegan ares 9 which hung on a chair. As good duck would have it, it to eat it, His cur iosity to know who could have been writing “went over her head, and she hastily threw up her hands to| to this lady about him was too strong ach him to resist the “pass them through the sleeves, which she did, and athe me- | temptation, to read. the letter. hanically got inside her dress. { ¥ He drew out the letter, only to find that. a Spoftion of it was His presence and assistance partially quieted her oeelicnen missing, so° that he could not find’ either date or signature. “My shoes! my shoes!” she exclaimed, as he tried to lead@| What he did find, however, knocked all the: raven he was so “her out of the room. ‘He dropped on his knees and felt on the |anxious to get out of him. - x ‘floor for her shoes. His’ hands touched them. One hada pack- - “You will have to use considerabl tact,” the letter read, “to — “age of something in it, which he mscheatvatly thrust into his} avoid arousing the suspicions of a young fireman named Burke ‘Docket, Halliday. He is yet but.a boy, but he was so fortunate as to Hl “Come, I have your shoes!” and he dragged her out. of the ‘save fer life at a fire there one day, which exploit made him ‘oom by main force. ‘At the window he climbed out apd drew ‘the hero of the town. I think but for. ther Jiking for him she er after him. She was too heavy for him to handle, and Jack, would have accepted my suit, and it think he became. jealous: of Iton ran up to his ass sistance. ‘ h me. If you can succeed in getting her out of the town and in. “Give her to me, lad!” said the for eman, elae’ the half- our power she could easily be persuaded to become my wife, in fainting woman in his arms. which event your sre as well as mine aa be. made, and i “Burke slid down the ladder, ‘still keine to the woman’s | then, she being i ine : hoes, The great crowd of spectators yelled themselves hoarse Here the torn part of the letter, abruptly envied the communi ‘Cheering him. Alton landed with oe burden. a moment or * two ‘gation, —\ x51 , later, when Burke said to her: “What in thunder does this mean?” Burke asked himself, as “Here are sour te ae Put ‘them on or. you may y hurt your ‘he turned the tom letter over ve ab and ag it again. “at nen | | tion’ her ony ‘She is sie pe ash I HSDSTs: ‘hat 018 § i
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a suit, and I know that he did propose to her. sae ERE ‘OF THE: VOLUNTEERS. Now he has You gave her clothes. A girl cannot live without Res j es gone away, and this woman is here to steal her away so he | hence you have saved her life, too.”: can have a chance to force her to marry him. The old rascal! Well, I'll see about that. But what does he want to marry a poor young girl like Aggie Wayne for? Ah, he says that his fortune would be made then. How would her marriage to him make his fortune? That’s what I’d just like to know. And I’m going to find it out! Oh, what a sly puss that woman is! She had Aggie and Mrs. Hart out riding in a carriage the other day, and neither one of them suspected what she was up to. What must I do with these letters? To give them back to her would lead her to think that I had read them. To keep them would lewe her under the impression that they had been destroyed in the fire. It’s wonderful how things turn up. A fire revealed the hiding-place of the man who tried to climb thr rough my window to murder me in my sleep, and now an- other fire throws this letter in my hands. I'll read the others now, and see what else I can learn about the matter.” He read the others, but could gather no light from them, ‘They were all in the same handwriting. } ope has been employed by Seymour to get her in his pow- ” he muttered, as he laid the letters down, “but there’s' a ee about it which puzzles me. Why should he be so anx- ious to marry a poor girl like Aggie Wayne? That's the great- est puzzle I ever tackled. Hanged if I don’t tefl Jack about this and show him this piece of a letter, He’ll know what to do.’ Jack is a long-headed fellow and a good friend.” He placed the little notebook in his pocket again, and then lay ‘down on the bed in the bope of being able to get some sleepy But his mind was in such a whirl that no sleep came to him. ie, CHAPTER XVII. BURKE MEETS THE NEW BOARDER, Burke ate his breakfast that morning in silence, and ark Was ever a man so thoughtful?” went to the store where he was employed, and proceeded to work as usual. Mr. Winthrop, ‘the proprietor of the store, saw ed it in every way that she appreciated the situation, Va him, and surmised that he had not slept much the night before. “You slept very little last night, I see,” said’ the merchant. | after lear ning that Aggie would’ ‘accompany Bessie to her home “Yes, sir—not more than an hour at the most.” “Just what I thought. till noon. One can’t do much business susan’ he gets plenty of sleep.” f “Burke looked up at. the kind-hearted merchant and asked:- “Do you think you can spare me?” i “Oh, yes. Don’t: worry about. that. the’ day fs done in the afternoon.” “Thank you, sir,” said Burke, ahd a few minutes later he a waited on quite a number of. ‘people as” salesman. 4 left the store and returned rns where he slept about three hours, ‘ a } ht: tention of telling him about,the discoveries he had made in until another house ould be procured, regard to Aggie Wayne and the new danger that threatened | her. ( But Jack was too busy for ‘inh to talk then and he went|ing to unravel the mystery of the letter he haq found in ‘the away, going up the street to the scene of the fire. . ‘From the ruins he went over to the neighbor's house where _. the three ladies who had. been | Saved from. the flames: were | fidence and tell him all about it. domiciled. for the present. The first to greet him was “good ‘old Peggy Bathune, who vand | ‘of the’ latter's Anquiry about the. widow Wayne: an caug t him in her arms and. called him her hoy—her pet. _ t for eee fhe Poor. ebild ould | have been B Seta ” she} the man had ‘actaually secured. board in the sai said. f Ne Houghton was there, . she had come ss ‘pring. some Oth her dresses to Aggie. she greeted | Burke: with: ‘such cor ality as to make him blush. bee ae Fat ak sie Bessie,” he said, zee wte doin 2 aN. Sate You had better go home and sleep be found, shRS) a The main business of eney: shall not have her if she does not want him!” Just then the door opened, and Aggie, dressed better. than Burke had ever seen her before, entered the room. “Oh, Burke!” she cried, and flew toward him, and was clasp- ed in his arms, “T owe you my life a second time, Burke,” the young orphan said, sobbing on his shoulder. “T am so glad to see you unhurt,” he replied. some you look in that dress! ” - “Ah! but for dear, sweet Bessie I would have nothing to put on. Everything I had in the world was lost last night.” u “Well, don’t worry about that, dear,” he said, in a fatherly. sort of way. “The Wide Awakes will be a father to you. They — are already talking about adopting you as their daughter. MIN “Ob, what a beautiful idea!” eet ate Bessie, ae her. F hands. 4 “Tf the company does that,” said Aunt Peggy, “ry ie nee a) a wardrobe to match their generosity.” ite Aggie burst into tears. Their kindness overpowered her. | Bessie took her in her arms and gave her that sweet, PURTSPA, & affection she so much craved, The door opened again, and Mrs, a and her new boarder’, entered the room. ( The two women hugged and “pieeed the young hero til he. was disgusted. “T am a sound sleeper,” said ‘the Taay, “and am Havé ¢ to wake | when once asleep. I was nearly strangled when I. opened niy 4 eyes, \I sprang out of bed and screamed at the top of ny voice, _ The next thing I knew I heard Burke's voice telling me to. keep cool. Then my night- dress flamed up and I thought my. time had come, He put the fire out and ihrew another over i (my head. How I managed to get my arms in the sleeves A, Fi don’t know, But I did—~and he even secured my shoes for: me “my purse and diamonds were in the | pocket - Of, the ress. “How hand- There was no doubt of the gratitude of the lady, She Be ait Burke remained with them a half hour, and | then went awa and remain, a week with her, al another hosraltay eer could | He Out, on tha street Birks ‘exclaimed to nimseit: NE ‘i uF She) will ‘be safe: with the ‘Houghtons. Tl see” hers Saar Ty and tell her to beware of that woman. She will not fail to be- lieye me, I know. She is a good girl, and: that old ras¢al of. a ‘4 Len | * ONES fter dinner he went back to the ‘store, feeling all right } .On the. way back home that evening he learned ‘that Age aM had gone ‘to the Houghtons’ for a Bens and that. Mrs, Hart Matters settled down into the old or der of shina again i ha day or two, and our hero gave. himpelf | up to the task of ir shoe of the woman he had reseed from the flames. oi i At last he made up his midd to take. Jack Alton into his.¢ He began by telling Jack of ‘his frst meeting with, eyma daughter. Then he spoke of his suspicions when “Aggie;. of his (offer hae ie and pate Nabe gt ial
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“Why didn’t you tell me that } “Jerusalem!” exclaimed Jack. ) before?” “Because I couldn’t prove anything, and I didn’t know what | his game was. I tackled him on the street about it, and he | said the man had merely stopped on the street to inquire the | way to.a hotel. Well, I couldn’t say anything against that, _ you know, till I found out the fellow had been stopping sev- | eral days at Hagan’s, place. him about the matter again, though he afterward wanted to hire me to go to California to attend to some business for | him.” Jack was thoughtful, “Tie wanted to get you out of the way, lad,” he said. E “Yes, that’s what I thought. But I declined, saying I didn’t care to have anything to do with him.” “That was right. Pity you let him get. away. Hanged i I | don’t believe he was at the bottom of those attacks on you.” “Well, here’s something else [’ve found out,” and he pro- duced the torn letter he had found in the woman’ ‘ shoe, 1 the night of the fire. It is torn, having neither date nor signa- _ ture. You can read it for yourself,” and he handed a letter } to Alton, who. read it carefully through. | | “Burke,” he said, “there’s some mystery about all this, girl is in danger. We must look out for her,” | “T don’t.see how we can well do that.. Iam te a all. day, and you are in the shop. ay “We must get somebody to keep a watch for" og “Who can we get?” | - “Black Pete would be the best one we Pian but we | can’t spare him from the engine-house.” “No, bat I think I know Just the boy to Po that re “Who?” — ; nes “Billy Townsend.” “Can Billy keep his south: shut?” “Oh, yes. I know Billy well” “Well, we want him to: be AbOAE the place every athetncht to let us know ‘when she takes the girl out riding again,” — / “Ah, yes, that’s so! ’ The q given her per tission, to leave - store an hour earlier that “afternoon.” men “Well, see Billy and set Hien to \ aetna the Houghtons’ or a ther: Bete OF THE VOLUNTEERS. I never got a chance to tackle} “Ty | found this ‘ina small memoranda-book in the lady’s shoe on |’ ee “Tn that case { will go to the livery stable: for a team.” } “Do you want to pursue anyone?” weed wish to follow another carriage.” © “Well, you might be an hour in getting a carriage. Why not have a horse saddled and kept in Silica cs to go at a mo- ment’s warning?” Burke hadn't oibaaee 8 of ee When he spoke to J ack that big-hearted fellow went to the livery stable and engaged two good saddle-horses to he kept. in readiness for instant use till further notice. Burke was at his post the next morning, and worked along till late in the afternoon, when Billy came eycearte into the store, and whispered: “They're goin’, Burke.” “How many?” — “Just the two and ‘the driver.” Burke called another clerk to wait on his customer, excused himself, and putting on his hat, hastened out of the store, At the stable he found the horses ready. He sprang upon one and led the other out, and rode briskly down to the shop where the foreman worked. P a “Come, Jack,” he called. © ‘ . Jack washed "his! face an hands and ‘threw “on his street alaehage and in another minute was in the saddle, “Which way did they go?” he’ asked. “Down the river road.” They rode about a mile, and caught a glimpse of the car- riage ahead, The carriage kept steadily on ats way, and our heroes rode leisurely along, as if they were not conscious of the vehicle in front of them. ie at sun went down, and still the. | carriage kept on its way. j The stars came out, and our heroes moved up closer to the carriage. An hour later it stopped in front of a country tavern for a few minutes, when a@ man came out with a valise in his hand and entered the carriage,. after which it resumed the journey. WA, that. was: Seymour, rm ‘quite certain,” gaid Burke. i Yes—I think'so, too, We’ 11 turn. stage aayber and see what ‘She told me of an engagement to ride | it all means.” with” rie lady the day of the fire, and that Miss Higgins, had | “Stage robber?” “Yes; we'll ride up and level our ‘revolvers at ‘the driver's head and compel him to halt,” idee "They waited till they ‘reached. a point cbt a mile beyond i Live Higgins’ house when Aggie is there. Give him fifty cents the tayern, when they put spurs to their horses and Reshen up F oh Gay yand make him keep his mouth. shut about the business,” to the carriage at full speed. ‘Burke started to leave when Jack called to him: et you have,’ "and he gave him a five dollar Rote as he Fee a CHAPTER PVRS au ait wa CONCLUSION, Burke took the money” and thanked his friend for ‘i, and | ‘Went out in search of the boy he wanted to ‘put on guard. codh didn’t take him long to find him, and insay little while he es engaged in letting him into what he wanted him to do. \ _ “Will you do it for half a dollar a: day, Billy?” he asked. » “Yes, in course I will.” “Very well. Here’s a dollar for two da in advance, ig Ri And he handed him a dollar. } q Billy took the money and one himself rich, and went to _ Work at once to ‘keep an eye on pretty. Aggie ‘Wayne. oY ’ Burke. then went to the owner. of the store and said: ‘ | Pit ss, “Mr, Winthrop, T am expecting at any moment to have to. Bae up a clew toa “deep mystery that concerns me” very. “Much, I have a boy on. the lookout all the time, and when he horse and carriage on short notice, Can you ‘et me te “Yes, Burke, it it is ‘not, in. use, ing Nee ; Ary : Nee 1 ae Sth Here’s my watch and purse. brings me word that a certain hing is being done BY want your |. sal man at a | glance, and tu “Halt!” cried Jack, very pcan: 3 pietine: his pistol at the “Here, take this and pay him‘ut of it. I have more morey j coachman’s head. The coachman was almost paralyzed, she gasped out: “Don’t shoot! Whoa!’ —~ “what's the matter?” a voice called from inside bo ‘carriage. “Robbers!” cried the coachman. At that a woman inside began to ‘scream. But only one. A man put his head out of ithe. window. and said: — d “Gentlemen, | we have a very sick daughter in the carriage. Take them, and let us pass!” “Oh, we can’t take your word for that,” said Jack. “Wa must search you for all you are worth. But may, where you are for a moment.” Jack then ordered the driver to get ayes from the box. Pe ; did so, and submitted himself to “be tied hard and fast. | Burke secured the horses, and made everything safe pein 1 A raccidents. nt “Now you may get out, sti, carriage. ‘He obeyed without coachman had been. cieu Burke struck a mateh, and we wy, so that the faces: ot both could be. seen. Seyrtiout gnized the bold young f fire~ aes red as pale as. a “said? Jack to the man in’ ‘shes word, and was bound as the ef ye
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ean reat 26 S cauadubianticanimeenmendangdemandammenmdamemtiteammeeetned , THE PRIDE “Burke Halliday!” he gasped. . “Yes, Iam Burke Halliday,” said our hero. “I told. you f would catch up with you some: day,t and here [ am. You threw me off the stent wery nieely, but a little accident gave méa clew to the whole racket.” °~ ‘ ; The woman in the coach. sprang out ot the vehicle, and run- ning up to Burke, exclaimed: “Oh, Burke, you saved my life once, and I know you will do it again!” “That depends, ma’am. If Aggie says so I’ll go my best.on it! But I want to see what she says first.” “She is asleep inthe carriage.” “Mhal is not natural,” said Jack, going to the carriage and \ holding a lighted: match inside, “ Negi! Aggie} "he. called, She did not saeapan: Me. Seymour,” said Burke, “you have got to explain all this, or Vl! -blow. out. your brains where you stand!” and he ¢ cocked his -revolver. “You can’t ihe ton me,” said oe man, with Ria deter- mination. “ZT like-a brave man)” said Jack, “and we'll see meine you are one or not. Get. the lines off those hor SOS, Burke!” In two minutes Burke had the lines off, and the bold fireman’ was adjusting the end of it around the villain’s neck, The woman begged and pleaded for merey. 3 “Keep quiet, ma’am,” said Jack, “or we may serve you the’). same way. It hei tells the truth about this business we will let him off; otherwise we'll hang him till he’s dead as sure as there is life enough in that dmb to hold him “up.” _ A stone at one end of the line SBan aes our hero to cast them over the limb, * “Ready now! What have you to say, Mr. Beymout? n??. Jaek “asked, ; “Pve nothing to tell you. Hang me if, you want. to.” “With pleasure,” and they bégan ‘to pull: him up. As his feet left the: ground the woman seteamed and fell ta the ground in, a faint. Rea! f He squirmed in the agonies. of suffocation hoe a minute or so, and then they let him down, He fell to the round, being. unable to stand up. They waited for him to recover his speech, — _“How now?” Aiton: asked. “Are you iar to straighten out this mystery?” “What do: you want to know?” ee BP Say ry \ “We want, to know ‘all about this ‘business about the ate | tempts to get, Burke out, of ae way and the- abduction of the ‘ girl.” Capa Ne 6 “Pl tell you oni one. gondition, #5 te “What is it?” sae a “That you will not let. the public know it.” “Vm willing to that. exe “Well, my name is Seymour. L am a Phitadolnhia lawyer. You'll find my, professional card in my pocket on the left side. TIT have a good practice. daughter Aggie. They were wanted as the solevheirs of twa million dollars, which an uncle of Mrs, Wayne -had left them when he died in India. 1. got track of them, and made - up _ A fow weeks ago I was authorized. by vs _ & law firm in London to hunt up a certain Mrs, Wayne and her |’ Ee DWATH,” by Capt. Thos, H. Mi which wili i ; Yhind to marry the mother or ‘daughter, and thus get hold of the money. That's all there is in this case.” Burke gave a prolonged whistle, . ~ “You will find the London. Jawyer's letter in my valise there, /-and I'll give it to you if you will untie my hands.” “But. why did you want ee have ne: eet over?” Burke asked. Sead h es: ppepeennee, you were in: my way. 9 Pe ae send the price OF THE VOLUNTEERS. = Burke’s heart was like a sisdgetharhmer on hearing that, They secured all the papers bearing on the case, and then - let the parties go. Aggie was carried back to the tavern and given in charge of the lady of the house. The next morning she was. panic-stricken at ‘nding herself in a strange place and among strangers, — Burke and Jack went up and told her all that had happened, and showed her the ‘London: lawyer's letter, “You are richer than mud,” said Burke, grasping her hand in his and shaking it warmly, “and I am more gied than if it was myself.” ‘ “You shall have half of it, Burke,” she said, “for had it ‘not been for you I should never have lived to see tt m “Just keep it all and give me your sweet self, Aggie,” abe Burke. “I love you, and, and-———” “Ob, Burke!” and she threw herself into her arms. é He clasped her in his arms and kissed her, 4A ‘she “I have loved you ever since the week of the mill fire,” said. i i They took her back home to Hedboro’, amet at once secured a. lawyer to look after the: English estate. : The trial of Burke on Dingly’s charge canie’ on a ‘natty! later,” Great er owds came to court to. hear’ the evidence. But the progecution really had mo case, ‘and. the’ jury. age Burke without leaving their seats, Then caine jubilee by the voluntéer firemen. of. Reaboto’. They nla ‘aparade, 4nd carried Burke through the town on an engine not, hidden under a pyramid of flowers.: ; Six month? ater, old Aunt Peggy Bethune died suddenly. She was buried with great’ honor, and her will sets i aac sensation for te good people of the towh, ge She left the sunt ‘of ten thousand dollars to Burke Halliday asa reward. for having saved her life when death. ‘by. fire. 3 threatened, The balance 2 a fortune was | Jefe bs her niece, z Bessie Houghton. : ; Bossie became doubly cere after teicttihe +e" what: of her aunt, and ev ery youn 0 a in the town looked Joneiteny and lovingly at her,’ fe? f Ai But she smiled on all ‘alike, with a bre ference for Burke | . ‘Halliday—so they all said. Our héro, hoy ever, had given oe heart. to Aggie. ret A few months later Agegie’s lawyer ‘informed her that her 4h heritance had been forwarded in drafts on New York, the. tate in. India having been closed up and settled. © pas 2 When Burke and she were nineteen years old they. were mar rf ried in the little church their Mothers had’ ‘attended, and the; went ona long: pene oe - cg Ops before aetiting: Bonn ine Redboro’. : ee ‘ as her Aunt Peggy was, and still the warm mit of ne Prid of the Volunteers, pe )o. 9. THE END, . ‘ ia i “THE BOY MUTINMERS; Ng "Read or, Ae numnber (BOD 5 of “Pluck and Luck.” | are igs in eit it ae ? mail to FRANK TOUSEY, F 3
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4 Pluck and Luck. ——— NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 26, 1908. Terms to Subscribers. eee Single Copies.. dab Uahiaes RARSETRNG toss Aisi sot? ee One Copy Three Tionths. x 65 ¢ One Copy Six [ionths,. $1.25 One Copy One Year..... Postage Free. How To SEND Monry. At our risk send P. O, Money Order, Check, or Registered Letter; re- mittances in any other way are at your risk, We accept Postage Stamps the’same ascash, When sending silver wrap the coin in a separate piéce of paper te avoid cutting the envelope, Write your name and address plainly. Address letters to Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union Sq., New York. _THINGS OF INTEREST. . 7 i The original map made by George. Washington in: BEF 4 of the lands on the Great Kanawha River, West Virginia 2 ~ ed to him by the British government in ‘1763 for ’ the Braddock expedition, is now in the posse Library of Congress, says The National Geograp The map is about two by five feet, and is entirek ae writing of Washington. The margin is filled, in Washington's handwriting, _meseribing thy set by Washington and differ ent age es of 2.50 F of the "Nines There is a widow in the Province of Loraine, Ger many, who has a cat, unless the feline has died within. the last) six months, While the widow prizes the cat it is so homely that every one else makes fun of it. “widow's door. The widow at once went to law about it, ‘elaim- ing that the language hurt the feelings of her pet, but the PLUCK. AND LUCK. man? A’ girl 12. years -old | money are soon parted, ” yeplied the sardonic person.. ‘ wrote a verse of poetry about the eat, and pinned it om the | but I won to-day, % Ma fool for sulci. z like an outheld sword, projects Se as India. and ‘Russia in Fe the Pamirs and touches Chinese Turkestan to the northeast- ward. Physically it-has been described as a star of valleys radiating around the great peaks of the Koh-i-Baba, and everywhere bounded by steep and rugged mountains. The three largest valleys are those of the Oxus, Helmand and || Kabul Rivers, the latter being a main tributary of the Indus, Throughout its. whole extent Afghanistan ‘is a rough, moun- '{tainous country, but is broken up by elevated, flat bottom |valleys. It is due to the recurrence of the elevated valleys - that these “Asiatic Highlanders are also a nation of horse- ; 7 men, and“their cavalry have at times played an important» — part in the rise’ and fall of other kingdoms. Horse racing is an important occupation, and horses are o: important exports. The“Afghans number ‘somewhere between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000; and are a peculiar people, ‘claiming ° des¢ent from the lost tribes of Israel, calling themselves “Bani '| Israel,” and tracing’ their lineage back through Sulaiman and ~ Daud (Solomon.and David) to Musa cMogee) and_on to Izac, a and Ibrahim. OUR COMIC COLUMN. ~ The Alligator, (to our wandering dentist on the Nile)—Oh, wicere don’t BO. I’ve a hollow Lan: and I ‘want you to fill-it. “The payments ain’t so hard.” “what Srnec Has dollar (gee te taps ae BAe nae bo! termed an entertaining Him—No; idea. -*& fool and tits “Ah: “T lost heavily at the races yesterday.” The Young Lady—Wil you. Gace a me a- hansom, young judge held that nothing but a club or stone could affect a cat.}man? The a ake i, but how do yer think The yerse was as follows: She's a cross-eyed cat, And 1’m telling you that, , _ She can’t catch a rat; And looks like ‘a bat. ‘phe Bopsian geologist Van den Broeck has called ntlention to a siigular uniformity manifest in the direction of twisting | grumbled Senator Greathead. During the past eighteen means ‘half a dozen favors. 4 exhibited by the trunks | of trees, years he has observed this phenomenon in many parts of Europe, Africa and America. He finds that in 990 trees out of every 1,000 whose trunks show torsion, the direction of the: twist is from right to left, or contrary to: the motic¢ of the hands of a watch. Without asserting: that’ the same cause - operates in the two cases, he points out that this accords with hemisphere, ‘and also with that of whirlpools, which the French to left, The question arises whether‘in the southern: hemi- | sphere the torsion of tree trunks has an opposite direction, like the cyclonic mouoHs: of the pin csunere in. that half of the _ globe. uf é PE oe oe is the only’ ee ieiigaigi ‘of Central | - Asia and is the section that is most likely to require foreign ~ goods at an early date, It is usually’ known only\as a wild, the direction of revolution of cyclonic storms in the northern | jand spat vigorously. Vd suit? Fe Yo Gee: “Do you think we’ Saati be allowed’ ig follow ithe § same ayo- cation in a future life that we 8 in this?” “I hope’ so.” * What do. vor do?” “Nothing.” Be ait “A visitor to see you, an iailer TAN i wet he wants some favor,” “Its a lady, sir.” “Ah! that 7 “Why didn’t you put on the porous plaster I sent you?” *Plather! Doethor,*I’ ‘ma mimber ov th’ Hod Carriers’ Union, and it’s against th’ rules for me to do anny plastherin’ ex- cept in th’ reg’lar workin’ hours.” Ke eo, _ In the nails station at eae which has a’ large savant, Jean Brunhes, says almost invariably turn from ‘right | Slavic population, is a sign over the bootblack stand, bearing ‘the legend; Shine 5 cents. Polish 10 cents, An Irishman of their most. I never knew him even to entertain an’. stood in front of it the other day, apparently plunged in pro- — | found thought. At length he pulled his pipe from his mouth “Faith, and they’d be doin’ well ta charge double, for dagoes, too,” was his emphatic comment. ‘Senator Rayner, of Maryland, is in fayor of adequate salaries for school teachers, and at a reception’ he told a story about savage country, but. under the, rogressive rule of its present | a teachers’ meeting in a district where the salaries were ex- _ Amir and his father su¢h encouragement has been given t6| tremely low. ountry is destined to ‘rank | |marks with an enthusiastic | gesture and the words: @ | live o cedy ‘woman is a Diack gown, slightly gmeared with chalk industrial development that the much higher in the future and is. worthy of careful stu | Afghanistan is the Switzerland: of Asia. It is bounded on th ' southeast by India) a; and on the nor ale, while a strip ° + 7 d Baluchistan, on the ‘west. by of tent fi Jand, | with an address,” he said.) “The banker concluded his re- * ‘Long school teachers!’ ‘What on? shouted a thin, pale, tes arks,” “A rich, portly banker opened the meeting - ‘
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PLUCK AND LUCK. ABOARD A SLAVER. By HORACE APPLEETON. “T was a leetle lad no more’n so high then,” said, old Jim Gaff, who did not look as though he had ever been small enough to be a lad, for he was big enough to have been cut up into a dozen boys, with material still left for more. It was a howling night in November when the remark was made, and I was stormbound in old Jim’s shanty, or castle, as he called it, on Wing Island, about four miles off the coast, Being fond of hunting water fowl}, I had heen caught out in the storm, and had barely managed to make Wing Island, let . alone the mainland, where I lived. ‘He had made me very welcome at his fireside, had provided me with food and drink, and as we were chatting together he had remarked that the night was “just like a night forty-four years afore,” concluding his reminiscence with the sentence which begins my story. He held ‘out his hand to alent y what “so high“ meant, and I concluded that he mended to deseribe a boy of sixteen or thereabouts, “Is there any story connected with the time?” I asked. “If there is, and you need encouragement, I’m we in the mood ‘for listening, Jim.” the grog-shop windys an’ doors, _there was hardly a soul to be ‘per that suited me toe a dot. I didn’t know much about ships’ then, but I knew enough ter know thet thet air clipper war a / “Waal,” drawled Jim, relighting his pipe and vain slowly at it, “there’s summat of a yarn, tho’ mebby ye'll say ’tain’t much to speak on. Howsomever, ef ye want ter make fast | while I’m in grapplin’ distance, I’ll cast the ae line.” “Do,” I said, encouragingly. - I war lookin’ fur, an’ so I went about an’ set sail fur the near-~ est. grocery store, where I spent the few pennies I had fur bread an’ cheese an’ sich. “Then I headed fur ther clipper. I don’t think they were a-lookin’ fur stowaways thet night, fur I had no more difficulty boardin’ ther clipper ’thout being hailed then ye’d hev boardin’ ‘this island at t’other end. “Waal, I stowed myself away as snug’s a hendieve an’ went sound asleep. I s’pose I slept all night, fur when I woké ther ship war a-pitchin’ an’ divin’ at a great rate, I thought, an’ great Jerusalem! wasn’t I sick? In about an hour I’d a-wel- comed one of old Nan’s lickin’s, an’ hugged her fer givin’ it ter me, if I cud ha’ got out o’ that clipper. But I couldn’t, no’ way, and sol staid down in that hole till ther bread an’ aligeenr} war all gone, and my tongue was, parched with thirst. \ “Then I clim’ out an’ showed myself on the deck, an’ in jist about two minutes I caught a lickin’ that made me think Old Nan’s thrashin’s were jist love-taps. Ther cap’n o’ thet clipper tied: me ter th’ rail an’ then he tuck a rope’s-end, and when he got through I war senseless. “When I kim to I war in the focastle, ‘an’ I ‘staid thar, too, fur two days, cos I warn’t able ter walk; my back war as full o’ ridges as an old water-logged hull. ' “Waal, ter make a long story summat shorter, I found out precioug soon that I hed shipped with an ole man wot war wusser’mthe devil fur ugliness, but wat war wuss’n ther hull” bizness the sorter ship I’d sailed in, cos I heb babe thet she war aj av “Thet ai tort then it war cussed brute Slave don’t signify ter much nowadays, but purty, common traffic, and a. feller hed ter be a. e hé sailed unner sich’ orders; an’ by the. time | he hed earried two or three shiploads of niggers an’ Sold ’em, “T war a stowaway, ” he continued, ina auaing tone, “sO ye! the little human natur\thet war: in him when’ he: siarted war see *twar my fust v’yage. I dunno ’zactly how old I war— “never ‘did know, in fact, an’, don’t now; but leastwise I war a leetle shaver with more pluck than sense, “J hed been /blackin’ boots, holdin” horses, runnin’ errands, and sich like around the streets of Boston ever since I could remember, and takin’ an awful lot o' lickin’s from an old woman who sorter looked arter me in the meantime. | : “J war a-gettin’ mighty sick 0’ them lickin’s, too. The thing had been bilin’ inside fur a good while, an’ one night—jist sich a night as this one—without waitin’ ter heave anchor. I jist cut ther hawser and floated away on the tide. That is, in- stead o’ goin’ arter my usual lickin’, I went down ‘around ther ships along o’ ther wharves, « it “The wind was a-howlin’ an’ ther rain was comin’ | down ’s though it never expected *nuther chance ter make port, but. : didn’t mind the wet no more’n a sea-gull, “Most folks,’ tho’, hed gone below decks, fur, ‘cept. through seen. Now ’n’ then a eop would step out of a sheltered door- way, but he’d dive inty ther next one qguicker’n seat. “Waal, I walked along, thinkin’ what I would do, an’ finally I jist made up my mind t caer Td go to sea, Thet war my eet pluck. | # Anyhow, I ibaa to tack about a leetle, in search o the sort of craft I thought I’d like, an’ ‘afore long I lit onto a clip-| beauty, an’ so I jest made up my mind thet I'd sail in her. “Ther thing thet settled the question fur me more’n any- thing else war, that while I war, sittin’ on a heap o’ chains " a-lookin’ her over, two crafts sailed past me ter wind’ard, an’ | hove to, at ther ladder, an’ one 0’ them said ter ‘other: = x : “ie all, gone, an’ the only difference ’tween him an’ ‘a hyena— which is ther cussedest animile I know—was thet ther man War wuss. me 4 | 2 “4 : J “The crew numbered about twenty all told, an’ ‘they hed. i: eee young feller on board about twenty-one or two, who war on. that he had been recommended ‘to the cap “D. by a merchant. he knew, an’ he'd understood, till they were in deep water, that . the clipper traded in ivory an’ ebony, which is purty nigh cel truth when all’s said, only ‘twar ‘animated. till mornin’, ’sides seein’ ther hull lot thumpin’ me around rg" though I war an air-bag stuck up on -_puppose to hit. : with a windlass handle, jist fur fun, he interfered, an’ told ther ole man thet he ought fi be ashamed of himself, and ‘they had some words which ended in the ole , mA knockin’ him A ai harder’n he did me. — pane ikea “ ‘Thar, ye infernal ier said the ole man, con dees ye that I’m master aboard this: craft, ea ef ye give me any more of yer slack Tru have ye chucked over ther side.’ — “The young feller got up, an’ though he war a parson, that he had’ plenty o' tackle on him fur ‘ter weather a storm be sorry fur it, oT know this * crew an’ toward ee helpless a-mind ter; put i yer ship, a an’ thet among - 2 *: ye kin be’ s big a a brute’s ye hes ‘See that ther men are all ‘aboard dor ais, for I waiter ee ont ; “sail, at four sharp.’ ahs ship] * = bias settled it. ie knowed then thet T had found ther Bee : : “Waal, he war horrified an’ wanted to light out. Ye nage 2s listen ter ther cussin’ an’ swearin’ of the crew frinre, ‘ornin’ “One day when ther cap’n knocked me Clean across’ ‘the deck “ ‘Cap'n,’ ’ said he, ‘ef ye ever, raise yer han’ to m me agin, yo vi 3 ev paid my money, an’ his way to preach among the heathen. He tole me arterwards 5 a, ye : % ¢ \ you’ve taken it an’ 4 pees ‘a law for beg ver brutality. ( toward pel eae Lig Ss “elie 2 “ Haw, haw, Taughed the cap’n, ‘ye’ ve got tte, i ae
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“No. OF NEW YORK -MINSTREL GUIDD / AND JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Byery {boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- Zanizing an amateur minstrel troupe. : » , Noe 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—This is one of the most original joke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It zontains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, ete. of Ferrence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can enjoy, a good substantial joke should tain a copy immediately. ma No. 79. HOW TO BECOMH AN ACTOR.—Containing com- ete instructions how to make up for various characters on the Blase; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Seenic Artist and Property Man. By a prominent Stage Manager. ‘No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the lat- “st jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and er popular German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome lored cover containing a half-tone photo of the author. HOUSEKEEPING. ; | No. 16. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing ll instructions for constructing a window garden either in town br country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful fowers at home. ‘The most complete book of the kind ever. pub- ished. ; ; “No. 30. HOW TO. COOK.—One of’ the most instructive books ©n cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all Kinds of Pastry, and a grand. collection of recipes#by one of our most popular "No. 87. HOW TO KHEP HOUSD.—It contains-information for t evanybody, boys, #irls, men and’) women; it will teach you how to mi Jalmost anything around the house, such as’ parlor ornaments, ts, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds, ELECTRICAL. 0. 46. SOW TO MAKE AND USD ELECTRICITY.—A de- Beription of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; ogether with full instructions for making Hlectric Toys, Batteries, tc. By George Trebel, A. M., M..D. Containing over fifty il- austrations, ‘ a ’ No. 64. HOW TO MAKY ELECTRICAL MACHINES.—Con- aining full directions for making electrical machines, induction ls, SS oaciaees cba echo toys ta be worked by electricity. R.A. RK. Bennett. i wy . PRA O87, HOW LO DO WEBOERIOAL, TRICKS.—Containing a ’ together with illustrations, By A. Anderson, ENTERTAINMENT. No. 9s HOW TO. BECOMH A VENTRILOQUIST.—By Harry Kenedy. The secret given away. Hvery intelligent boy reading his book of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multi- ublished, and there’s millions (of fun) in it. yy NTDRTAIN AN EVBNING PARTY.—A book just card. divers Money 0. 3 TO F No, 66. HC dred interesting <fomplete book. ETiau ETTE. ect, h mad CENTS. USEY, | EA 0 _ fully explained by this little . large collection of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, | No. 58. HOW TO BE A DETECT No, 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPHAKHR.—Gontaining teen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to be } a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems-from all the BOpnIAS authors of prose and I simple and concise manner serble : : No. 49. HOW TO DHBATH.—Giving rues for conducting bates, outlines for debates, sources for procuring info: questions for discussion, an rmation on the questions given. ~" SOCEEY. - No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The aris and j wiles of flirtatfon — book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it con-\ tains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which is rig pe to everybody, both eld and young. You cannot be happy Without one. E No. 4. HOW TO DANCH isthe title of a new and handsome littie book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instruc tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, py to dress, and full directions for calling off inj all popular square: ances. ; No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVH.—A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to ye yg aes) with many curious and interesting things not gen- erally known, : ' pet No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at nae and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up. No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.—On brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world. Tiverybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and female. ‘The secret is simple, and almost, costless., Read this book and be convinced how to become beautiful. , BIRDS AND ANIMALS... No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated an@’ containing full instructions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, aroquets No. 39. HOW TO RAISH DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEO RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely’ fll trated. By Ira Drofraw. ; : ; No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Including hinte on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds, ee how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington eene, - re x No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.—A valuable book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, animals and insects. j No. 54, HOW TO KEBP AND MANAGE PETS.—Giving com- plete information as to the manner and method of raising, keepin taming, breeding, and managing all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for making cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it the most complete book of the kind ever published, bg MISCELLANEOUS. =, Wo. 8. HOW TO: BECOME A SCIENTIST.—A useful and ine structive book, giving a complete: treatise on chemistry ; also * periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, cHemistry, and div. rections for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled. ale No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrup essences, ete, etc. . No. 84, HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.-Containing full information regarding choice of subjects, the use of words and the manner of PLepat valuable in a Easy of manuscript, essential to a successful author. a 1 . ing and submitting manuscript. Also containing ion as to the neatness, legibility and general com ne By Prince an ‘ No. 38, HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A won derful book, containitig useful and* practical information in the orm ‘treatment. of ordinary diseases and ailments common to. every aera Abounding in useful and effective recipes for + laints. ‘age : eet PiNo. 55. HOW. TO COLLECT STAMPS AY taining valuable information regarding the cr’ of stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrat’ ““gom pyy the world-known detective. In which ’ and sensible rules for beginners a” and experiences of well-known d : No. 60. HOW TO BECOME 4 ing useful information regarding also how to make Photograph’ Transparencies. Handsomely, ANS 6 OW. TO BHC Guard, Police Regulatio know to be a Cadet. Or of “How to Become ac No. 63. HOW TO: ‘boetry, arranged in the most de d the best of the — arrot, ete, 4 NS AN —A: complete hand-book for saad “~N
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1 Latest Issues we “WIDE: AWAKE WEEKLY” Containing Srortes of Boy Firemen, Cotorsn Covers, : 32 -PAGES. Price 5 Cun 89 Young Wide Awake’s Well-Won Medal; or, Winning Fire- 94 Young Wide Awake’s Battle for Life; or, Pacing ak Department Honors. . Hope. 90 Young Wide Awake’s on for Help; or, Shut off from His|95 Young Wide Awake’s Defiance; or, The Bravest De Comrades. \ Record. 91 Young Wide Awake at'the Firemen’s Ball; or, Parading in 96 Young Wide Awake and the Hose Ripstetss or, Seal the Face of Death. Wall of Fire. fl 92 Young Wide Awake’s Daritig Dive; or, Hot Work at a|97 Young Wide-Awake’s Greatest Peril; or, Tpekoa in a Mill Fire. : ing Building. : 93 Young Wide Awake Beating the Flames; or, Sea Fire at |98 Young Wide-Awake’s Nerve; or, Pirewighting ‘Again the Gas Works. Odds, bs SSNCDS EDE Sra ARNE 7) i AMADA dake Mee COO Pe SES se SN NSM AR Pte “SECRET SERV LCE Oxp | anp Youne Kine Brapy DETECTIVES Cotorep Covers : 32 Paces . Piioe 5 oi 468 The Bradys and the Stings Fire. Fiends; or, Breaking ) 475 The Bradys Sek is Bank Street. Bunch or, Roundii Up a Secret Band. | 4 ig The Bradys and the Stolen Bonds; ~ . from Boston. the Dock Rats, f i or, A Tangled Case | 473 The Bradys and the Boston Beats; Or, The Secrets old Manor House. — “40 The Bradys and the Black Giant; or, The Secrets of 474. The Bradys, Chasing the sesh Thieves; or, hteago's “Little Syria.” \ verious Six, : 471 The Bradys and aha Chin Chin; or, Exposing an. Opium | 475 The Bradys and the Mad Guinean: or, Hot Wi Gang. Z Five Cities, ~ “FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY* Contarnina Storms or Boys Wxo. Maxn Money. - Conorep Covers. 32 Paaxs, PN aks 28) 5 Guikes 114A Fight for Money; or, From School io Wall Street.: 1120 A $30,000 Tip: or, The Young Weazel of Wall Si ' ‘215 Stranded Out West Oh: The Boy Who Found a Silver } 121 Plucky Bob; or, The Boy, Who. Won Success. : Mine. 122 From Newsboy to Banker;, On, Rob Lake's Rise in W “116 Ben Bassford’s Luck;, or, Working on Wall Street Tips. Rinses } - 117A Young Gold King?) or, The Treasure of the Secret} 499 4 Golden ae or, The prepare of the Indies. Caves. 118 Bound to Get Rich; or, How a Wall street Boy Made 124 A Grip on the Market; or, A Hot Time in Wall Str ei Money. ~ 125 Watching His Chance; or, From Perry Boy to chet b AD) Friendless Frank; or, The Boy Who Became Famous. 126 A Game for Gold; or; abe Young icant of Wall $ For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 venta’ per copy, in money or. “postage i ‘e | FRANE TOUSEY, Publisher, ee Ay ‘ 24 Union. stir Een a cop Wee ee Te ef ave iny ter eee YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS thinkin’ w ‘ up my ee rt if got procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Out. atk 4 and ee Bo io se ‘k/and send it to us with the price of the weeklies, you: Want and we will: send them to; ‘MPS TAKEN’ THE SAME AS MONEY. Pa toot. dead Pasha | ir oc en Oe nae Eee Clon aaio) Conia 2-93 2g Mileage Foe , I began to tack she t " hie pie tas Sie Kadlec oS Ba Union Square, New York, BMA PES hon Pepsi ie +990, » t didn’t Know muci. a Beer knew enough ter know’ thie? Hist air of nd......cents for which please send me: ~ Coe - , ‘Ke ‘ Fa MGE 1 e : so I jest made up my mind thet a sait NOS. eee e eaten enna e tree n ees ene ee ene eeee en ane ese teceteeeee enya ad i thet settled th DKLY, N : : BH oN ipe C the question ; fur me more! QB. \aieisid ieee o ocsie be eV aieigiba te delaras ees ee ee ee ee a 1 , that while I war sittin’ om a heap o’ VY, Nos... citeiteneeenteeveagescereeteneuceresceeteesur tad ore tWvo crafts saled past mié ter wind’ard, OF °76, Nos........c.....scc/csseeeaeen ag eae or ladder, an’ one o° them said ter totter: eee Pig tate. , ther men are all abo bs ter- Mee er: alght, for, I me ied i es ee eneeeon 2 Suet lle aba igcat tae ai Paowed then thet . had foung REL «vides BPS oem Meg + \ NS
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ALL AROUND WEEKLY Containing Stories of All Kinds — | BY DIFFERENT AUTHORS ISSUED FRIDAYS HANDSOME COLORED GOVERS 32 PAGES PRICE 5 CENTS ii cil Oita amiaMad MET This weekly contains a variety of long, interesting stories of a kind which you cannot get in any other publication. They are written by the best authors, and are illustrated by.the most expert artists. We intend to make this weekly increase in interest with each new number. Only the most popular kind of stories will appear in its pages. We intend to please everybody, and shall spare neither money nor work to make it one of the best-liked periodicals on the market. THE ISSUES ALREADY PUBLISHED CONTAIN THE STORIES LISTED BELOW : AND: MUCH OTHER INTERESTING MATTER. 1 Engineer Ned; or, Running the Night Express. __ | 34 The Boy Captives of the Zulus, A Tale of Adventures in Africa. 2 “Stand Together’; or, The Young Firemen of Clinton. 85 General Grant’s Boy Spy; or, The Hero of Five Forks. 3 Wine and Cards. A Temperance Story. 86 Iceberg Jack, the Hero of the Arctic. 4 “Phantom,” the Prairie Trapper. 87 The Island Captive; or, Donald Kane’s Victory, 5 The Hidden Treasure; or, Among the Cannibals. 38 Saved in Tjme; or, The Downward Course of Dick Ballard. Phil Faraday, the Young Hxplorer; or, Adventures in Savage] 39 The Black Cross; or, The Mysteries of the Jungle. Africa, 40 The Boy Wizard of the Nile; or, The Mystery of Pha Corners of New York; or, The Perils of a District Temple. Messenger. 41 Deserted in Dismal Swamp; or, The Secrets of #22 Lo~ Hy A Tale of the Land of the Incas. #2 Danger Signal Dave, the Dashing Boy Wngineer of the or, The Last Run of the Special. . 43 Matt the Avenger; or, Fighting the Mexican Bandits. _the Diamond Island. , 44 The Wizard of the Waves. A Story of Life and Advenid ri agan; or, The Bold Free Rider. Land and Sea. 12 Yo “Sinbad; or, Back from ;the Grave for Vengeance. 45 The Golden Skull; or, A Boy’s Adventures in Australia. Schoolboys Afloat; or, A Trip Around the World. i 4 sri +44 Among the Thugs; or, Two Yankee Boys in India. 46 Pacifie Dick. A Stirring Tale of the Indian Isles. 15 The Secret Glen; or, ‘Che Mysterious War-Chief. 47 Cyclone, the Horse: Runner; or, The Young Lassoer of the 16 Lost in the Heart of China; or, A Yankee Boy in the Land of| 48 ie Big Diamond, or, The Star on the Arm. (A § Skulls, ! 17 Ruined by Drink; or, Jack Jordan’s Peril. A Temperance Story. 49 Marked Men; or, The Best Me crate fe the Sea. 18 Young Franklin; 6r, Buried Under the Snow. 50 Cruise of the Silver Wing. a a he aa 19 Winning a Wager; or, Two Boys’ Trip Around the World. BL The Hand of Fate; or, The Haw PE New: ork. 20 The Hidden Avenger. A Story of Mexico. — be The Spy of Toronto. A Story o : : At date ae thal 5 21 Roy, the Western Union Telegraph Messenger. : 53 Dick the Pilot; or, The River Pirate’s Plot. 22 The Wild Best Hunters; or, Adventures in Brazil. SIP : ry 283 The Flying Scud. A Romance of the Ever Faithful Isle. 54 Ranch 5. A Story of the “ ’49ers. ‘ 24 Against the Sultan; or, Trapped in a Turkish Rebellion. 55 Fighting Jack; or, A Yankee Boy in Africa, : ene 25 Frank Melville, the Wonder of the Circus Ring, - 53 One Thousand Miles on Skates. A Story of Exciting Adventures. | 26 “Little Dot’?; or, The Dandy Scout of the Plains. 57 Black Hills Bill; or, The Gold of Canyon Gulch. ; * 27 The Hook and Ladder Boys; or, The Best Firemen in Town. 58 Fighting the Savages; or, The Pearl of the Pacific. 28 The Young Cliff Climber; or, A Tale of the Andes. 59 Bravest of the Brave. A Story of the Mexican War. i 29 The Ourang Outang Hunters; or, Adventures in the Dark Con-| 60 Harpoon Harry; or, The Castaways of the Antarctic. ¢ tinent. , 61 Hank Monk, the Stage Driver of the ae ees a 4 r = 3 ~ : : : 62 The Tattooed Hand. A Strange Story of Sea an and. eu o ocaipoediien (oat y eee ee een wee 63 Mark Manley, the Young Engineer. A Story of Stirring adventures” 5 Ree aie is on the Rail n ¢ 32 The: Landlord’s Son; or, Saved from a Drunkard’s Grave. f , ner # ry a 83 The Young. Drover; or, The Secret Order’ of the Northwest. 64 The Crimson Cowl; cr, The Bandit of San Basilio. Va For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on ¢ eceipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, DY | FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, e F IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS i direct. Cut out and fill, fi eklie not procure them from newsdealers. they can be obtained from this office : Y in ike Peliowine eae ep and send it to us with the price of the weeklies you want and we will send them to you bye return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. Ba: f FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. Siaed cededeviads oe eee Dear Str—Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: ....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........ cece cece creer eens ccesesscceecccesesseeeseesseeces Byes tats ike “ PAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, NOB vais .<\0 Sia. a-0 o wsdtetelalayd lave els" alles loc /-ehstwrelaianay=\ Sus! Shaler sees © © ALT, AROUND WEEKLY, Nos......0ee+sssseeeeceeeensecsceestnesseeeserecnecntne peee 44 a WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos.......- cece etre cere cece cece eee ce rescence sess sees escrcns -.-. “ “ PLUCK. AND LUCK, 2 -ese “ “ SECRET SERVICE, Ne pa eee ot ED LT BE RASy BON -.-. “ Ten-Cent Hand Books, BEG a wcpleye ails ss ss ceidy's.s's qc enemeet & ertee 0,0 0 6.0 © 0 C10, 6.6 © 0 00 6 0 0.0 6 6 68 6:0 46) 0: 5 60) 0 6°60 6 0/616, 0/4 8) 0106s eae eaee erees . . eee eeee . seeee Pere ee ee ee “4 oP eee e eee ere eee OSS e sees seseeeeF FH EeHeHer OO? Fe ee) 000 0000800000 0 e 6 0 60 wee 06 0 0 0 68) 00 ee 6 0 0 0)8) 0 aie Town: si) ) Waindes SPATO A... s:ctaleermree