The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-09-02
TEIE GllsDr.E OF FIRE.
III PERCiE II. SHELDON.

The lower counties of New Jersey arc
proverbially barren, being covered with
immense forests Of pine, interspersed with
cedar swamps. During the dry summer
months these latter become parched to an
: extent that is incredible, and the acciden.
, tai contagion of fire-brand often wraps
immense tracts of country in flames. The
rapidly with which the conhagration,
when once kindled, spreads through these
swamps can scarcely be credited except
) by those who know how thoroughly the
: moss and twigs are dried up by the heat
of an August sun. Indeed, scarcely a
spot can be pointed out in West Jersey,
hich has not, at one time or another,
been ravaged by conhagration. 1t was
but few years since. that an immense
tract of these pine barrens was on fire, and
the citizens of Philadelphia can recollect
the lurid appearance of the sky at night,
seen at the distance of thirty or even forty
miles from the scene of condagration.
The Legendary history of these wild
countries is full of daring deed ard hair
breadth escapes which have been witness
ed during such times of peril. One OF
these Evolutionary stories it is our purpose
to relate. The period of our tale dates far
back into the early history Of the sister
state, when the country was even more
thinly settled than at present.
II was a sunny morning in midsummer,
when gay party was assembled at the
door Of neat house IN one of the lower
counties OF New Jersey. Foremost in the
group stood a tall manly youth, whose
frank coun,enance attracted the eye. BY
| his side was a bright young creature, APP
parently about eighteen years of age,
whose golden tresses were a fit type OF
the sunny beauty of her countenance. Blu,
now her soft blue eyes were dim with
tears, and she leaned on the shoulder OF
her mother, who was apparently equally
affected. The dress of the daughter, and
her attitude of leave-taking, told that she
was bride, going forth from the home OF
her childhood, to enter on new and UNI
tried sphere of life. The other members
Of the group were composed Of her father,
her brothers and sisters, and the brdemen
and trademarks.
God bless you, my daughter, and have
you in his holy Keeping said the father,
as he gave her his last embrace, and now
farewell y
The last kiss was given, the last parting
word was said, the last long look had
been taken, and now the bridal party was
being whirled through the forest on one
of the sweetest mornings of the month of
June.
1t was indeed lovely day. Their
way lay through an old road which was
so rarely travelled that it had become
overgrown with grass. among which the
thick w-drops glittering in the morning
sun, were scattered like jewels on {
monarch's mantle. The birds sang mer.
rily in the trees, or skipped gaily from
branch to branch, while the gentle sigh
ing Of wind, and the occasional murmul
of a brook crossing the road, added to the
exhierating influences of the hour. The
travellers were all young and happy, and
so they gradually forgot the sadness Of the
parting hour, and ere they had traverset
; many miles the green arcades of tina
lonely old forest were ringing with mer
, ry laughter. Suddenly, however, the
, bride paused in her innocent mirlh. anC
while shade of paleness overspread he
| cheek, called the attention Of her husband
: to dark cloud far of on the horizon, anc
, yet gloomily and denser than the darkes
, thunder cloud.
.rhe forest is on fire = was his instan
ejaculation, think younot so, Charnleyl
and he turned TO the groomsman.
: Yes bat the wind is not towards us
. and the fire must be miles from our course
: There is no need of alrrm, Ellen sale
: he, turning to the bride. his sister.
g But our road lies altogether through
a the forest she ,imidly rcjoincd, and yo,
r know there isn't house or cleared spac,
$ for miles
Yes! bu. my dear sis, so long as tn
fire keeps its distance, it matters no
whether our road is through the forest o
the fields. We will drive on briskly, am
befofe noon you will laugh at your fears
Your parting from home has weakene
. yoqf nerves.
No more was said, and for some tim
: thd carriage proceeded in silence. Mean
time the conhagration was EVIDENT