The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-04-27
Number 5 9

shall never forget his agonised distress, but
he did not waste moment in delbera-
ton he snatched from me my military
cloak, and rushed into the house. The old
steward, who had been in the family at the
time Of his birth and endeavored 10 hold
him back.
You are rushing to certain death, dear
Sir Edgar he cried: pray return
But Sir Edgar shook him off.
II will save her tife," he exclaimed, cor
lose my own in the aitcmpti" and in anoth-
er moment he disappeared up the blazing
staircase. / had scarcely time TO hope, be.
fore Lady Falkland gave me fresh cause
for alarm. The flames were approaching
rapidly 10 the place where she stood; she
evidently contemplated the desperate meas
ure of leap from the window and was
shuddering at the idea Of speedily behold
her manged form, wien saw her drawn
back by strong hand. Sir Edgar wrap
ped the cloak around her and carried her
from the winGow.-Once more | ventured
to breathe: as Sir Edgar had ascended the
staircase without material injury, trusted
that he might descend il in the same man.
ner but at that moment the event so long
anticipated took place; the staircase fell in
with a tremendous crash, and all hopes of
| mi nf mt nT A l.o,,JCJ
table death seemed now the portion of
ilIese young people but there was a mel
ancholy consolation in each others arms.
and exchanging mutual assurance of forgive.
ness.-My head began to swim, and my
eyes TO feel dim and was on the point Of
sinking to the ground, when loud shouting
voices near aroused me to perception: par
~ of men were approaching, bearing the
expected ladder, and headed by Dennis
OFlaherty, an Irish laborer at the farm
Even at this moment the thought passed
through my mind Of the strange manner in
which we estimate the value of person
according 10 the existence of local circ1m-
stances had frequently, during my visits
at the hall conveIs,d with Dennis O'Fla-
herly, and amused myself much with his
brogue, his bltliders and his uncou,h man.
ners. | knew him to be an honest and
good natured fellow, but it had never
entered into my head that he could possibly
be OF use L. me i'll any other point Of view
than as person to be laughed at; but now
when l contemplated his athletic frame his
muscular limbs; and his bold bearing, | fe.t
that the most gifted genius, or the most pol
ished courtier of the age, would be an OBJ
ject OF inferior consequence in my eyes to
Dennis O'F'lahcrty, and the sweetest music
would have been less delightful 10 my ears
than our powerful brogue which made itself
heard above all the upIoar, in vehement
commands 10 his companions 10 "waste no
time, but set up the ladder quick and stea-
dy." 1t was speedily put up under Dem
Mss direction; lie was al the top in a mo.
iiiSllt '1ii lAuSul hOPOSlICu t!S IdlUtillg Las
dy Falkland in his arms he speedily bore
her down and Sir Edgar followed in eafely.
Three loud cheers broke from the assembled
spectators as he reached the ground.
could not join their accamalions, but si-
lenlly and fervently offered up thanksgiv-
ing to Heaven for The preservation of nv
dear young friends, and prayer that the
circumstances attending it might have
a beneficial effect upon their future
lives. Lady Falkland was not hurt by
the flames. although weeping and historical
through alarm, she was Immediately borne
70 farm, and medical assistance was pro-
cured for her. Sir Edgar had not escaped
so well; he was severely scorched, and in
great pain, but in the midst of his suffer.
ings he could not refrain from telling me of
his happiness; tie few minutes that elapsed
between his entrance into Lady Falkland's
room, and the arrival Of the ladder, had
passed in mutual entreaties for pardon, in
V,ost ;,,ar,horoa &c