Fire: Chicago 1871 Read Online Free Page B

sharp corner onto Taylor. “Mr. Black is still in his shop.”
    Julie leaned forward. She could see the lighted lamp in the bookstore window.
    â€œI know what.” Julie’s father turned to smile at her. “You can go in and see what Mr. Black has to say for himself while I deliver the groceries to the parish.”
    Julie nodded eagerly. “I’d like that.” She had known Mr. Black all her life. He was one of her father’s oldest friends. He loved books and reading more than anything, and he knew the answer to almost any question.
    Julie’s father clucked to the team and cracked the whip high above their backs. “You can take a look at that new Jules Verne novel. What is it?”
    â€œ Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea ,” she whispered excitedly. Her mother had never approved of her reading the French author’s fanciful tales.
    â€œThat’s the one.”
    Julie took a deep breath and looked up at the stars. She liked Mr. Black and she loved Jules Verne’s books. This was going to be a lot more fun than unloading groceries. She felt a stab of guilt at the thought and faced her father. “Are you sure you don’t need help?”
    He shook his head. “There will be plenty of men there to help unload. If you like the Verne novel, I’ll buy it for you.”
    Julie smiled at him, then narrowed her eyes as the wind spattered her with sand. The horses’ hooves made a drumlike thudding on the board-covered street. It was a wild and beautiful night, and Julie kept glancing up at her father, grateful that he had talked her mother into letting her come.
    Black’s Bookstore was in a small and charming building that had once been a house. Mr. Black had thought about moving his business to Booksellers Row up on State Street and Washington. Julie wished he had—it would have been almost close enough for her to walk to sometimes. But Mr. Black said the rentin the north division was higher—and besides, his carriage trade customers were used to coming here.
    Julie’s father pulled the team to a stop. Without a word he lifted her down and escorted her to the door. Mr. Black looked up from his desk and grinned. “William! Julie! What a nice surprise. What has you out on this windy night?”
    Julie’s father took off his hat. “I have to deliver some charity groceries. Are you going to work late? Could Julie stay and read awhile?”
    Mr. Black nodded. “Of course. I’m working on my inventory.”
    â€œI’ll be going, then,” Julie’s father said, putting his hat back on. He turned to her. “Be quiet and let Mr. Black work.”
    â€œI will,” Julie promised. She stood beside the open door as her father went out, his coattails flapping in the wind as he climbed into the wagon. He waved, then shook the reins, urging the horses forward. After the sound of their clopping hooves had faded, Julie could hear the shop signs creaking as they swung in the fierce wind.

Chapter Four
    The boardinghouse was quiet except for the striking of the clock. Nate lay on his bed, his arms folded beneath his head. If he didn’t get going, he would be late meeting Ryan. He sat up, glancing at his door. Aunt Ruth had told him good night just after eight thirty. The clock in the hallway had just struck nine. She would be asleep by now.
    â€œI won’t be out more than an hour,” he whispered, promising himself that he wouldn’t worry Aunt Ruth. “And I will go to school tomorrow no matter what.” And, he thought, sliding the window upward, he would make sure there was no dirt or soot on the sill for Aunt Ruth to find in the morning. The curtains billowed inward, shoved aside by the wind.
    Nate stepped up onto the wide sill. He hesitated only a moment, balancing, one hand on the swaying branch of the maple tree that grew outside his window. A few seconds later he was on the ground, the wind