"Fire! fire! " The cry crept out on the still night air, and the
fire bells began to mug. Fred was wakened by the alarm and the
red light streaming into his room. He dressed himself very
quickly, and then tapped at the door of his mother's bedroom.
"It is Mr. Barton's house, mother. Do let me go," he said in
eager, excited tones. Mrs. Liscom thought a moment. He was young,
but she could trust him, and she knew how much his heart was in
the request.
"Yes, you may go," she answered; "but be careful, my boy. If you
can help, do so; but do nothing rashly." Fred promised to follow
her advice, and hurried to the fire.
Mr. and Mrs. Barton were not at home. The house had been left in
charge of the servants. The fire spread with fearful speed, for
there was a high wind, and it was found impossible to save the
house. The servants ran about screaming and lamenting, but doing
nothing to any purpose.
Fred found Tom outside, in safety. "Where is Katy?" he asked.
Tom, trembling with terror, seemed to have had no thought but of
his own escape. He said, "Katy is in the house!" "In what room?"
asked Fred. "In that one," answered Tom, pointing to a window in
the upper story.
It was no time for words, but for instant, vigorous action. The
staircase was already on fire; there was but one way to reach
Katy, and that full of danger. The second floor might fall at any
moment, and Fred knew it. But he trusted in an arm stronger than
his own, and silently sought help and guidance.
A ladder was quickly brought, and placed against the house. Fred
mounted it, followed by the hired man, dashed in the sash of the
window, and pushed his way into the room where the poor child lay
nearly suffocated with smoke.
He roused her with some difficulty, carried her to the window,
and placed her upon the sill. She was instantly grasped by strong
arms, and carried down the ladder, Fred following as fast as
possible. They had scarcely reached the ground before a crash of
falling timbers told them that they had barely escaped with their
lives.
Tom Barton never forgot the lesson of that night; and he came to
believe, and to act upon the belief, in after years, that true
manliness is in harmony with gentleness, kindness, and
self-denial.
DEFINITIONS:--Languidly, feebly. Amply, fully. Opinion, judgment,
belief. Absolutely, wholly, entirely. Resent, to consider as an
injury. Consciousness, inward feeling, knowledge of what passes
in one's own mind.