Waukegan, Jan. 4.
Anton Skermon, who conducts a barber shop on Spring street, just north of the Edmund Hotel, owes his life to his pet dog who awakened him early Sunday morning just in the nick of time to escape death in a fire which had broken out in his flat just over his place of business. Skermon had to dash through a room filled with flames to make his escape.
It was rather late when Skermon retired and this may have accounted for the fact that he slept so soundly. At any rate the first intimation he had that danger stalked near was when his subconscious brain became aware that his dog was barking. Sleepily he figured that the animal was barking at someone passing on the walk below.
Unable to awaken his master in this manner the little dog seemed to grow almost frantic. He leaped upon the bed tugging at the bed clothing. He succeeded in pulling the greater part of the covering from the bed. Skermon awoke but at first felt only indignation at the action of the dog.
Then he became aware of a strange choking sensation. His throat was parched and his breathing was labored. It required considerable effort to arouse completely to a realization of the situation.
Then he perceived that his room was filled with smoke while from the next room came the ominous crackle of burning wood. Struggling out of bed with some difficulty for he was nearly overcome by the heavy fumes, he staggered to the bedroom door, threw it open and escaped.
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