he packed his valise with all of his worldly possessions. Ida
Bartlett also came over to bid him good-by, and remained to give him
such advice as he might have received from an elder sister.

Matt had arranged to meet Andrew at the stable at six o'clock sharp,
and quarter of an hour before the appointed time found him on his way
to the place, valise in hand.

"I'll show Andrew that I mean to be on time," he thought to himself,
as he turned into the street upon which the stable was situated.

Suddenly he saw a crowd running up from the block below. There were at
least a dozen men and boys, some of whom were shouting at the top of
their lungs:

"Fire! fire!"

"Fire!" repeated Matt quickly. "I wonder where it can be?"

But hardly had he uttered the words than, happening to glance toward
the stable in which their turnout was located, he saw a thick volume
of smoke come pouring out of several of the upper windows.

"My gracious!" he gasped, his face blanching. "It's that stable, and
our horse and wagon with the stock still inside!"

"That place is doomed!" said a man beside Matt. "See how the fire is
gaining headway! They won't be able to save a single horse or anything
else!"

CHAPTER IX.

THE RESULT OF A FIRE.

It was no wonder that Matt's heart was filled with dismay when he saw
the stable which contained the auction outfit being thus rapidly
devoured by the flames. Almost every cent he possessed was invested in
the horse, wagon and stock, and if they were consumed he would be left
in New York City next to penniless.

Close to where he was standing was a grocery store, and rushing into
this he threw his valise on the counter.

"Keep this for me, please!" he cried to the proprietor. "I want to try
to save my horse and wagon!"

[Illustration: SAVING THE WAGON. Y. A.]

And before the grocer could reply he was out of the store again, and
running toward the burning stable as fast as his feet could carry
him.

When he reached the front of the building, which was three stories
high, and quite broad and deep, he found an excited mob of stable-hands,
cab-drivers and tradespeople assembled, each trying to get inside to
save his belongings.

The owner of the stable was also present, having just arrived, and was
directing, or trying to direct, the movements of the highly excited
ones.

"Go into the alley on the left!" he shouted. "You can get more out of
the side doors. The smoke is blowing too thi