The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-06-09


such articles of clothing as were within
reach the inmates had barely time to escape
from back window.
They stood in group congratulating
themselves on their narrow escape, and
watching with melancholy interest the de-
structon of their home, occasionally cast
ing glances around to see if all were there,
when a sudden thought seemed to flash at
once.upon their mind and wild exclama-
ton of 'Louisa-Louisa is not here!' broke
from each lip. AS the words passed from
mouth to mouth, that there was person in
the house, groan of horor burst from the
assembled multitude. Inevitable death
seemed to be her doom. No ingress could
be made from the lower part Of the house
and from the upper windows there appear
ed no chance Of escape. Still the awe
struck spectators wasted no time. AS quick
as thought, dozen ladders were raised land
as many resolute fremen mounted to res
cue. Window after window was heard to
crash as the intrepid men proceeded in
search. Alas, their attempts 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 impetu-
osity of all avalanche, and with breathless
haste, flew, rather than ran up one Of the
ladders, which reached to the roof. He was
observed to have attached to his belt coil
of small rope. Before the astonished fire
men had time to warn him of the fruitless-
ness of the attempt and his danger he had
disappeared over the railing that surrounded
tile roof.
Louisa Wentworth, for whose safety all
were now anxious, was a niece of Mrs.
Litteton, the owner of the dwelling. She
arrived at her uncle's but the afternoon be-
fore, on visit to her cousins. She had
been so short time with them, that in their
fright they had forgotten her.
Miss Wentworth was about nineteen
years of ago--eminently beautiful and the
sole stay of widowed father His heart
was bound up in his daughter, and it was
only at the repeated and urgent solicitations
of the nieces that he consented to part with
her, (he lived in an adjacent village for a
short visit. The agony of the Litdeton
family may be imagined as they stood trem-
blingly watching the efforts made to rescue
her. They thought no more Of the desuuc-
ton Of their property-their hearts were
bound up in the peril Of their relation and
guest With despair they witnessed the
termination of the efforts made to save her,
while hope again animated them as they
witnessed the desperate attempt of the
young fireman. No one could tell who he
was. His coming upon them, and his ap-
pearance had been so sudden and rapid nc
one had time to recognize him. A minute
or two of anxious suspence, which to the
spectators seemed so many hours, passed
by and there was no sign of his re-appear'
anco, AS they stood gazing at the roof, q
black body of smoke rolled through the up
per windows, streaked with flames, and
soon broad sheets of the destroying element
shot Gorcoly up, like fiery tongues tapping
the air. An universal shiver ran though
the crowd below, and an anguish cry,
they're lost--they're lost!' was uttered from
many whitening lip.-The ladders were
hastily removed, for the fire had seized up
on them, and hope had fled from every bo'
som. At this awful crisis a hoarse and hall
smothered voice was heard from the back
part of the house; there was a general rush
to that point.-The flames had not reached
this part of the building, but heavy wreaths
of smoke were curling from all the windows,
giving evidence of their fearful proximity.
As the wind occasionally blew the smoke
aside the young fireman could be dimly