Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1895 — HE MISSED THE FIRE. [ARTICLE]

HE MISSED THE FIRE.

The Child Conld Not Understand Why He Did Not Awaken, About the coffin in yybich rested the body of the fireman sav a silent-group of mourners. No one had spoken and the widow was resting iter head on her father’s shoulder, when the door opened. A little child, the 4-year-old daughter of the dead man, ran cheerily in. She had on her flowing white night-dress. She climbed a chair and looked at her father lying pallid and still. j’What’s the matter with papa?” .she. cried. , “Sh-h-h!” they said, softly. “He Is asleep, darling.” “Why does he lie in that ugly old box?” “He can sleep better there, little one. Don’t disturb him. Now go back to bed, like a good little girl.” The child moved away slowly. “Good-night, papa,” she said, In a low voice, and soon was tucked away ngainr^ The silence of the night was suddenly startled by the harsh clangor of the gong in the lire house just a few doors away as it sounded the alarm. The thrilling call was ringing the second time when the fireman’s daughter flew into the room again. Again she climbed upon the chair, and shook her father’s body by the shoulder. “Wake up, quick, papa!” she said. “There’s a fire.” Still he did not move nor open his eyes- - The strange looks of those about the bier frightened her. “Oh, papa, do wake ifp. Can’t you ireSr the Dell? you’ll miss the fire." The baby looked around in wonder. Then she tried her parting shot, which she was sure would bring her father quickly to his feet. ~ ’ ' “You’ll-niiss the-fire," she exclaimed. “Then you’ll be fined.” ■ » Even then he did not move. Puzzled and worried, the child turned around. “Papa will not go to the fire to-night,” said her mother, in a tear-stained voice. Then the widowed mother burst into tears. Repeating that she couldn’t understand, the child was quietly carried back to bed, to cry herself to sleep again.—Philadelphia Call.