Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-12-29
VOL X.-NO. Is.

s""k aoWh III sheer weakness and some
screamed aloud in the agony of fear. There
Twas another pause. when one universal crv
sof horror fixed every eye upon the south
west portion of the horizon. There had
sprung ASH from the EARTH for its base could
not be seem, a mighty column Of fire. il rear
ed iiselftoward the cloud--and a wild. lurid
iiame flushed from its sides quite across the
whole heavens, leaving a sickly light upon
the NORTH and western sides of all the build
lngs, When the Column had attained what
seemed 10 he nearly the height of the clouds.
an inverted cone of vast dimensions appear-
ed 10 reach downward to the summit of the
earth-borne pillar Of fire. Then commenced
the scene Of widest horror. Groans and
screams rose wildly upon the air, while here
and there was seen some silent waiter sit
ting IN utter abstraction, folding himself a.
bout, and looking TO be included in the gen
eral dissolution. Whilst this last fearful sign
/ cleaned in the eyes Of the aiIrighted people,
the tempest was renewed-the thunder and
the lightning came with redoubled force and
the wind which had been gathered in the
west, swept onward and bore upon its wings
and scattered downward jagged masses Of
ice that cut like winged swords
The innndation began again. and many
who scofFed at the FIRST outbreak ofthe tenn
pest, trembied at the awful demonstration Of
this, when the magazines of heaven seemed
to be exhausting themselves for the destruc-
/ ton of earth @
| In the midst ofthis awful uproar, William
who had more than once sought to Gain ac-
cess 10 Gertrude's chamber, renewed his at
tempt, and found her stretched out upon the
bed, nearly dressed for the evening ceremo-
ny. 1t was fearful sight on such mo-
ment, but it was douby painful to find her
insenslble 10 his presence, and TO the appa-
ing uproar abroad. ~
He kneeled beside her bed and called to
her in every tone of affection to recognize
him-but she gave no heed At length the
thunder was sIenced-the rain and hail
ceased, and William called to the people of
the house to aid him with Gertrude. aaa
In short time he took her in his arms
and carried her To the door Of the chamber.
with view Of showing 10 her that the occa-
sion Of her fears had been removed, and that
the storm which had so much alarmed her
had passed away lie directed her attention
to the west. where beneath the lifted masses
ofthe clouds the sun was sinking in glori-
Gus set-and all around seemed to be a trem-
bling sea of light and heat, Of which the sun
was only centre.
"Do you see how lovely the evening
comes I'M said William.
II see it, said she; ait is beautiful, far
more beautiful than earthly scenes"
l And such an evening too for our mar
rage, better than we had yentured to hone.
added William
us there marriage in Hedcen ?" said Ger
trude, with hesltancy.
William turned towards the east, and
looking out saw that the sun was throwing a
most brilliant rainbow on the water of clouds
that had passed 1t was a magnificent
sight--the whole horizon was spanned by
the gorgeous arch which was made doubly
beautiful by the dark cloud upon which it
rested en 7'rna
"Look," said William, "what heavenly
sight-how full of hope and promise is that
token"
Gertrude lifted her eyes towards the east
then dropped gently on her knees. aud
with her hands crossed upon her breast, and
her eyes upturned, she rather sighed than ut
tered. "There was a rainbow about the
throne"
Williams heart sunk within him as he
felt that the mind of his betrohed had re-
ceived an irreparable shock. He called her
mother and placing Gertrude in her arms.
turned with a sniiten heart from her cham
Der.
The storm had indeed ceased TO wild up
roar had succeeded the calm, soft loneliness
of summers evening, donbly enjoyed from
the tremendous terror which had been en-
dured ~a
IL was soon known that the column Of fire
that had been seen near the close Of the
storm, sprung from an immense mass oflunl-
Der and wood lying near aud on brick Kiln
/ in the south west part Of the city-fre had
/ been communicated either from the kiln or
! by lightning, and the peculiar state of the
atmosphere and the density of the dark
clouds above exaggerated the terrific appear
ance 7Hi
Poor Gertrude-I saw her At the close Of
1915, and the few words she uttered, the on
ly ones for many days, were indicative of
the state of her mind '"It is something"
said she, 'to escape the place Of punish
ment-but / see not the pleasures of fu-
ture state-this lingering on the confines of
earth with earthly feelings aud heavenly
hopes is sad probation.
| More than year after that interview, her
sad spirit escaped. William, who had sat
for hours by her side received the last look
which she had to give. After lingering be-
yond all expectation and appearing indeed
often to have departed, Gertrude turned to-
ward her lover-,he film had passed from
her eyes, there was lustre in them beyond
that of their early youth and soundest
health. Gertrude-Gerrude, exclaimed
he with subdued voice, as he pressed kiss