The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-07-25
SELECTED TALES.
From the Portland Transcript.
THE YOUNG FIREMAN.
by CHARLER p. ILsLEY.
"FIRE FIRE FIRE !"

"FIRE FIRE ! FIRE!!"
1t was deep midnight MS this startling
cry resounded through the streets of the
city. The booming of a dozen bells, aroused
the inhabitants from their heavy slumbers, and
soon the flaring of torches and the rafting
of engines told that the watchful guardian,
of our safety were on the alert. Thric,
blessed is that city, which i'll the hour o
danger, has strong hands and willing heart,
always ready to protect and save theil
property. have no foe more to bt
dreaded Than the devouring element, ant
we cannot he too lavish of our attention {,
battle This enemy.
A broad lurid glare lit up the heavens
and served as guide to those in search oi
the source of alarm. 1t was found to be
"a large three story dwelling house.-The
building being of wood, by the time a suf-
ficent number of persons had arrived to
act in concert, the flames had made such
progress that the salvation of the building
was impossible. The attention Of the fire.
men, therefore, was directed towards the
neighboring buildings. The fire had taken
in the cellar and the lower part of the house
was completely enveloped in flames before
the family were aroused TO their danger.
The cry of child who was nearly sutfo-
Gated with smoke was the first alarm they
had. Catching at such articles of clothing
as were within their reach, the inmates had
barely time TO escape from a back win
dow.
They stood in group coDgratnlating
themselves on their narrow escape, and
watching with melancholy interest the de-
strucIion of their home, occasionally cast
ing glances around ~ see if all were there,
when a sudden thought seemed to flash at
once upon their minds, and wild exclama.
tion of 'Louisn Louisa is not here y
broke from each lip. As The words passed
from mouth To mouth, that there was n
person in the house, groan of horror
burst from the assembled multitude. Inev-
liable death seemed to he her doom. No
ingress could be made from the lower part
of the house, and from the Volumes of
smoke that burst from the upper windows,
there appeared no chance of escape. Still
the awe struck spectators wasted no time.
As quick as thought dozen ladders were
raised, and ms many resolute fremen
mounted them to the rescue. Alas,
their attemps were vain-the dense smoke
and the flames drove them back, scorched
and half suffocated. They were about
giving up in despair, resigning the missing
one to her fate, when young fireman from
distant part of the line broke through the
dense crowd with the impetuosty of m
avalanche. and with breatblega haste nev
rather than ran up .ne of the ladders
which reached to the roof lie was OBJ
served to have attached to his waist col
of small rope.
! Before the astonished iremen had time
to warn him Of the frulilessness of his at
tempt and its danger, he had appeared
over the railing that surrounded the roof
Louisa Wentworth, for whose safety all
were now so anxious, was the niece of Mr.
Littleton, the owner Of the dwelling. She
arrived at her uncle's but the afternoon
before, on visit to her cousins.-She had
been but so short time with them, that in
their fright they had forgotten her.
Miss Wentworth was about nineteen
years of sge, eminently beautiful, and the
sole stay Of widowed father. His hear,
was bound up n his daughter, and j, was
only a, earnest and repeated solicitations OF
his nieccs that he had consented to part
with her, (he lived ia an adjacent country
villaee,l for short visit. The agony oi
the Llttleion family may be imagined, as
they stood uemblingly watching the q
{ forts made to rescue hen They thought