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Show Going to a Fire in China. "I was in Peking." said an American tourlbt, "when a tiie broke out a few doors below the house in whion I was lodging, and at the first alarm I rushed out and into the burning structure 10 see wnal could be saved. I was at once arrested, and later on discovered tho Chinese way of fighting a lire. . "A policeman hrst required an affidavit of the head of the household to the effect that he did not deliberately set the blaze, and for this purpose took him before an official half a mile away. A second waa stationed to see that no one removed any furniture until the papers had been mad ",After a lapse of forty minutes the firemen fire-men arrived. They looked at the burning house and decided that it was on fire. Af-ter Af-ter much argument it was further agreed that It would b a waste of water to try to put out the flames. Two members, who erected a ladder and climbed part way up ' trcV duly reproved tor too much zeal, andf after' the name, age and habits of the o-Mier had been taken the fire department retired in good order. "As the flames were unhindered, the house burned to the ground, and when the owner returned he was beaten by his neighbors for endangering their property. I was held in durance vile for two hours and then fined 40 cents." Chicago News. |