CHAPTER IX.
TEDDY SLEEPER DINES OUT.
Just before the breaking out of the fire in the paper mill TeddySleeper, sat on the door step awaiting the return of his sister. Hewas particularly uneasy on this occasion, having had a long spell offishing with no luck, “not even a bite” and was very impatient at thedelay in obtaining a “bite” at home, it being the invariable rulethere, to wait for Becky. Teddy under the wise rule of his sisterhad lost much of his gaukiness and rough speech but had lost noneof his rotundity of form and cool, phlegmatic disposition. With himeverything was taken as a matter of course. Nothing ever surprised himinto expressions of wonder, and seldom did he lose his temper. Thesole disturber of his peace was hunger--the foe that has successfullyassailed the good disposition of many wise and great men. Under itsattacks Teddy grew restless and disorderly. He was in a fair way todo something rash, when his keen eye discovered smoke rolling up overthe paper mill, and the cry of “Fire! fire! fire!” faintly reached hisears. He rolled off the step, took a long look in the direction of thesmoke, then started down the hill. Reaching the church, he saw PhilHague standing before the captain’s house, shading his eyes and lookingup the road. People were hurrying toward the fire.
“Phil, Phil, it’s the paper mill!”
“Is that so? Bedad, its foine kindlings they have there for a blaze.”
“Come on. Let’s get out the ingine.”
“What for, I dunno?” said Phil, scratching his head.
“To put out the fire. Here, Jackson, the ingine. Hold on, Smith, helprun her up. Come on, Phil.”
Teddy run to the engine house, followed by Phil, and Smith and Jackson,who were on their way to the fire.
The engine was kept next door to the church. It was a heavy,old-fashioned affair, not much larger than a good-sized wash-tub, hadnot been moved for years, and it was very doubtful if it could be madeto work. Of this Teddy took no thought. There was a fire, and the firstthing to be done was to have it on the spot. So they pulled it out andstarted down the hill as fast as they could run. Not being experiencedfiremen, they did not use any “hold-back” measures, and the consequencewas, half way down the hill they found the “ingine” close upon theirheels, and themselves in danger of being crushed. With one accord theydropped the rope, and sprang to the sides of the road. “Cataract”--thiswas the name by which the extinguisher was known--being deserted by itsleaders, went thundering down the hill and tipped over at the bottom.
“By my sowl,” said Phil Hague, “that’s a quare way of putting out afire. The contrary divil’s laid down for a nap.”
“Come on, it ain’t hurt; let’s set it up and lug it up the hill,” saidTeddy hurrying to the prostrate Cataract.
They managed to get it upon its wheels again, tugged up the hill withtheir heavy burden, and at last reached the fire. A hose was laidand the engine manned, but the rusty machine refused to work. All thistime Teddy had been sweating and hurrying to get it in operation. Itwas a sore disappointment to him after all his trouble.
Mark Small came along at that moment.
“It’s no use, boys, there’s been no washers on them pumps this fiveyears.”
There was a laugh from the crowd and Teddy turned away with a very redface.
“The best engine in the world would be of no use now. She’s got toburn,” said Small, looking at his buildings, now enveloped in flames.“Much obliged to you, Teddy, all the same. Tell you what you can do.There’s little York frightened most to death. Becky got her out just intime. Just you take my team and get her home. That’s a good fellow.”
Teddy followed the direction of Small’s pointing finger, and saw JennyYork crouching on the ground beside Becky. In a moment he was besidethe girls.
“Hello, girls, had a narrow squeak of it. Say, Becky, Small says yougot her out. Is that so?”
“Yes, I did, Teddy. Ain’t you glad?” said Becky.
“Glad; you bet I am. Bully for you. Hurrah for Becky Sleeper.”
The crowd took up the shout, and Becky received an ovation. Just thenSmall drove up in his wagon.
“Come, Teddy, get the girls home, quick.”
He leaped from his seat and took Jenny in his arms and placed her inthe wagon.
“There’s room for you, too, Becky. Jump in. God bless you, girl. It’shard to lose all I have in the world, but it would have been harder tobear had there been a life lost.”
Becky climbed into the wagon followed by Teddy who took up the reinsand drove away. As they moved off the excited crowd, who had witnessedBecky’s valor, shouted until Becky was out of sight, “Hurrah, hurrah,hurrah!” As they flew down the road Jenny poured into the ears of TeddySleeper the exciting narrative of the escape.
“That’s just like her, Jenny. Hi, lively, Spotty. She’s a bouncer, Itell you. And she’s my sister. Ain’t I proud of her? Oh, no--get up,Spotty,” cried Teddy, at the conclusion of the narrative. “And I luggedthat plaguy old ingine up all for nothing. She does all the bravethings, and I ain’t no account. Don’t care, she’s my sister. Hi, there,Spotty, what are ye about? She’s my sister.”
Spotty was the name of Small’s horse--an explanation rather necessary,in view of the manner in which Teddy mixed his sentences.
Having safely deposited his sister at home, Teddy drove on to Jenny’shouse. Mrs. York was surprised at the appearance of Jenny in the middleof the day. The family had heard nothing about the fire, and were aboutsitting down to dinner when Teddy arrived with his charge.
“Bless the child, where did you come from? What’s the matter?” criedMrs. York, appearing in the doorway, as Teddy carefully deposited Jennyon the step.
“Been a fire! Mill’s gone--clean gone!” said Teddy. “So I brought Jennyhome.”
“Mill’s burned? Sakes alive! How on earth did you get out? Do you hearthat, father? Mill’s gone--clean gone.”
“I got out because Becky Sleeper saved me, mother,” said Jenny,quietly, as she took her mother’s hand to get into the house. “Had itnot been for her you’d have had no crippled daughter to care for more.”
“My gracious! you don’t mean it,” cried Mrs. York, hastily closing thedoor, regardless of Teddy standing outside. Teddy turned away witha disappointed air. The grateful incense of a boiled dinner had beenwafted to his hungry spirit, through the open door. He remembered thetime, when on a charitable mission, that same door had been closedto him, and thought that if a little charity should be extended tohim from the other side, hungry as he was he could not refuse it.He climbed to his seat, took up the reins, and was on the point ofstarting off when the door opened again.
“Here, Teddy, Teddy Sleeper, don’t go yet.” It was the voice of Mrs.York. “You mustn’t mind my shuttin’ the door. I’m so flurried to thinkthat our Jenny’s come so near never comin’ home again. Come in and havesome dinner. We ain’t got much, but what we have is good, for I cookedit myself. Don’t be bashful. Come in, and welcome.”
Teddy stopped not for further invitation, but quickly fastened Spottyand entered the house. The table was spread in the middle of the room,its centre embellished with a huge platter in which reposed a smokingpiece of corned-beef, almost hidden by the surrounding accompanimentof turnips, carrots, parsnips, cabbage and potatoes. Near it was anenormous dish of squash. There was a plate of brown bread, another ofwhite, a castor, a huge coffee pot, cups and saucers, plates, knivesand forks. Teddy took it all in at a glance. There was enough for all,he should not be robbing the poor if he helped to dispose of the feast.Yet the supply of squash so far exceeded the usual provision made forsuch an occasion that he could not keep his eyes from it.
“Father” York who was on the lounge, when he entered raised his eyesand said “How do you do?” in a very weak voice.
“Come, father, dinner’s all on the table.”
“Father” rose quickly, and took his place at the foot of the table.Mrs. York motioned Teddy to a seat next him. Jenny took her place, andthe two younger Yorks, about four and six year
s old scrambled to theirplaces.
“Why, where’s Johnny?” said Mrs. York, about to do the honors at thehead of the table.
“Oh, he’ll be here afore we get through, I guess,” said father York,“he never loses a meal.”
There was a scrambling at the back door, it flew open, and Johnny Yorkmade his appearance. He was about eleven years old. A redheaded,freckled-faced boy, with eyes like a sculpin. With much haste he tossedhis hat on the lounge, dragged a chair across the floor, jumped intohis seat, and fastened his eyes upon the dish of squash.
“Squash!” he ejaculated, lifting his plate.
“Wait, sonny, wait; don’t you see we have company,” said Mrs. York.
Johnny looked round the table, saw Teddy, grinned, then fastened hiseyes on his favorite dish.
Mrs. York helped Teddy and Jenny and then looked at Johnny.
“Squash,” answered Johnny to the look.
Into his plate Mrs. York heaped the yellow vegetable in such profusionthat Teddy stared. The youngster seemed not a bit discouraged by thesupply but attacked it at once. The two smaller children were alsohelped from the same dish, paying no attention to the contents of theprincipal platter. With a great many groans Mr. York supplied his ownplate bountifully, and set to work like a man ravenously hungry. Teddykept him company--he had fasted long and he was tempted by a favoritedinner.
“Teddy,” said Mrs. York, “we can never be grateful enough to that dearsister of yours, and only think, we turned her away from our doors.”
“Yes,” sighed Mr. York, “and refused her bounty. It was cruel, and ifever there was a thing a poor sick man hankered for, it was what shebrought.”
“Squash!” burst out Johnny, raising his empty plate.
Teddy stopped eating and looked at Johnny. The boy’s eyes stood outhungrier than ever. Mrs. York quietly refilled his plate.
“Oh, she’s the dearest girl, mother, you ever saw. If you’d only seenher in the loft,” said Jenny, “tugging away at that great ladder, andthen carrying me up in her arms, and so gay about it, as though shedid it every day. I was frightened almost to death, but when I saw howcalm she was, it made me quiet. I thought if I must die, it would notbe alone. And then I thought that was selfish and wanted her to go andleave me to my fate. Oh, mother, it was a happy day for me when shecame to the mill.”
“It was a happy day for us all, Jenny,” said Mrs. York. “What shouldwe do without our singing Jenny? Have some more beef, Teddy. I declareyou’re not eating anything.”
Teddy looked up to see if she was not making fun of him for he hadalready made away with two generous supplies. But, no, there was no funin her eye, and he passed his plate.
“Yes,” sighed Mr. York, “we have much to be grateful for. Poor healthis an awful pullback to a man who’s willin’ to do all he can, but tolose children after they’ve begun to earn something, is a specialdispensation of Providence that goes agin’ the grain. I always toldSmall that mill of his would end in--”
“Squash!” sung out Johnny, lifting an empty plate again.
“Squash!” echoed number four.
“Squash!” chimed in number five.
Teddy saw three uplifted plates and ceased to wonder at the enormousprovision. Without a murmur Mrs. York plied the big iron spoon oncemore, and the youngsters again set to work.
“And to think that girl should turn out so well after all,” said Mrs.York. “She was the most harum scarum thing I ever saw when she was ayoung girl.”
“Ah, we must never judge by appearances,” sighed Mr. York. “That’swhat I tell Mason when I have my bad spells come on. ‘York,’ he says,‘don’t be a fool. You’re tough enough if you only keep to work. You’reas strong and healthy a looking man as I am.’ Ah, he little knows whata sinking there is my stomach and how weak I get, and don’t have theleast bit of appetite. Ah, I’m slowly but surely fading away, fadingaway.”
“Don’t, father, don’t talk so. You make me feel miserable,” said Mrs.York, laying down her knife and looking at the sufferer with realdistress in her face.
“Well, I won’t,” sighed York, taking up his knife and fork, and dashingat his plate with vigor. “I know its wrong to distress you, but whatcan a man do who feels the all-devouring worm continually crying--”
“Squash!” interrupted Johnny.
“No, sir, no more,” said Mrs. York, firmly. “Mercy sakes, do you wantto turn into a squash vine, and have squashes grow out all over you? Nomore.”
Johnny said not a word, but pushed back his chair, grabbed his cap, andslid out of the back door. The little Yorks who were on the point ofjoining their petitions with that of their brother, awed by the sterntone of their mother, or frightened at the probable result of too muchindulgence, dropped their plates and were silent. Teddy, having fullyappeased his appetite, thought of Spotty.
“I believe I must be goin’. Hadn’t ought to have stopped so long. Mr.Small will be wanting his horse.”
“Oh, don’t be in a hurry, Teddy. Well, if you must go--come again,we’ll be glad to see you any time, won’t we, father?”
“Yes, indeed; and your sister, too, and she shan’t be turned out ofdoors, if she ever feels like bringing something nice to a poor sickman,” said Mr. York.
“Don’t, father, speak of such a thing,” cried Jenny. “She’s done enoughfor us. Don’t take such a message as that, Teddy, but tell her we alllove her dearly, and will never think of her but as the best girl inCleverly.”
“That’s so, Jenny. I knew folks would find out how clever she is,” saidTeddy, “and she’s my sister. Good by. I really must be going,” andhe started for the door. Outside he found Spotty impatiently pullingat his tether, and jumping into the wagon he started off. As he droveinto the main street he found a group of men and boys discussing thefire, and by their motions enacting the scene in which Becky had takena prominent part. Further on another group with the same subject underconsideration, and a third were on the steps of the church. As hepassed he could hear his sister’s name spoken by one and another. Ina cheerful spirit, with his hungry foe completely vanquished, it isno wonder that Teddy’s heart glowed at the praises he heard, and feltproud of its connection with the heroine of the day.
And Becky; how bore she her triumph? Quietly she entered the house andtook her place at her mother’s side.
“No more work to-day, mother, or for many days. The mill is burned tothe ground.”
“Nobody hurt, Becky?” with an anxious look, said the mother.
“No, all safe and sound. Nobody lost anything but Mr. Small.”
Aunt Hulda entered the room at that moment.
“What’s that, Becky? Where have you been? Dinner’s cold as a stone.”
“Jenny was very sick and I couldn’t leave her, and then the mill tookfire and burnt to the ground.”
“Mark Small’s mill burnt. You don’t mean it. Why, it will ruin him,”gasped Aunt Hulda.
“Yes, I’m afraid he’s lost everything.”
“Oh dear, dear, dear! It’s the Lord’s doin’s and I ’spose we must beresigned,” cried Aunt Hulda. “And Mark Small’s lost everything,” andshe sat down and rocked briskly, wringing her hands.
“Why, Aunt Hulda, what ails you? You’ll lose nothing. Come, give me mydinner, I’m as hungry as a bear. I can’t wait; come along,” and Beckyseized Aunt Hulda by main force and dragged her to the kitchen. Not aword about her adventure to Aunt Hulda, not a word to her mother onher return. They were left in ignorance until Teddy puffing with hasteburst into the room. He ran at Becky and seized her in his arms.
“It’s all over town. I tell you, everybody’s talking about you. You’rea heroine, Becky, and I’m your brother.”
“What on airth ails the boy?” shrieked Aunt Hulda. “Is he mad? What’sBecky done now?”
“What has she done, Aunt Hulda? She dragged Jenny York up on the roof,tore up the bags and let her down to the ground, when the building wasblazing like fury. D’ye hear that, mother? Our Beck
y did it. Ain’t youproud of her? I am.”
Becky freed herself from Teddy’s embrace, wondering what couldhave started him to such a proceeding, he always so cool andundemonstrative. She looked at her mother. The face of the invalid wasflushed, the lips moved yet no words escaped them, but in the eyesBecky read the rich reward, “Well done, daughter.” She ran to hermother’s side and put her arms about her neck.
“Poor Jenny York, mother, she must have died without me. Thank Heaven,I was there, mother. Thank Him that I knew how to save her.”
Running to Waste: The Story of a Tomboy Page 9
