"clang, clang!" went the bell on the fire engine, and the whistle blew fiercely as the wheels rumbled along over the pavement.

tommy ran across to the nursery window and pressed his face against the pane.

"nurse, nurse!" he called out. "the engine has stopped just across the way. why, it's at jimmy watson's."

margaret, the nurse, looked out. "why, so it is, dearie me!" she cried. "just see the smoke."

ladders were being placed against the house, and firemen in big red helmets ran up and down, dragging the hose after them and squirting water through the windows. it was very exciting and tommy danced up and down on his toes. just then a mass of flame shot up through the roof, and smoke poured out of the upper windows in big black clouds.

"i guess jimmy's room is all burning up," said tommy. "just see the smoke going out of his window."

as he finished speaking he saw jimmy himself coming down the front steps, holding tightly in his hands his favorite teddy bear. after him came his mother and the servants, each carrying something.

"dearie me!" said nurse margaret, "i'm afraid the house will be all burned up."

"well," replied tommy, "there's one thing to be thankful for, jimmy has saved his teddy bear."

"will you come into my auto?"

said the spider to the fly.

"there is room in my web-tonneau

and i'll join you by and by."