The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-09-12
Romantic Incident.

Romantic Incident.
At the late fire in Quebec the follow.
ing romantic incident occurred:
Whilst the devouring flames were
rapidly enveIoping every portion OF
this nob'e structure, the doors being
entirely blockaded by the mass OF hu-
man beings. who, in their CONSERVATION,
had preci pltated themselves upon them,
in the vain hope of escaping to the open
air. Young lady, the beautiful and ac-
compIshed Miss St. Pierre, as she turn
ed out in the sequaI, was seen by the
multitude, standing at an open window
in the third story Of the building, whith-
er she had ran, no doubt, with the idea
Of precipitatng herself on the pavement
beneath. There she stood--the bright
glare from the approaching flames dis
playing in bold relief, the lovely con-
tour of her noble, yet sylph-like form.
An expression ofagonizing despair was
stamped upon that fair face, which, but
few moments before, had been deck
ed in radiant smiles. The palor Of
death had usurped the place Of the rose.
The excited multitude beneath, at least
that part Of it beneath the window
where she stood, remained silent and
motionless. To all human appearance,
no aid could reach her. A few min
utes more and she must be lost forever.
At this moment, clasplng her hands,
she exclaimed in heart-rendlng accents,
"My Mother!" and Immediately after,
the word "Wiliam!" fell from her lips
in softer tones. Now rush was heard
at the extremity of The crowd, and a
young man, dressed in fatigue suit ola
U. S. "Middy,' bounded forward and
gazed for a moment with wild and hag-
gard looks on the lovely vision before
him. 1t was but for moment. With
one bound, into which he seemed to
throw the concentrated energy Of des-
pair and hope, if such a union can take
place, he reached window in the
building. some five feet from the street,
from which, even then, the smoke and
flames were belching forth-attempts
were made to stop him; but he was
gone. The anxiety and interest below
were intense. In a moment he made
his appearance beside the lady, and
grasping her round the waist again dis
appeared. In another moment he ap-
peared at window in the second story,
the lower one being entirely envelop-
ed by the devouring element. What
was to be done; no ladder, and the dis
tance entirely too great TO risk jumping.
With the ray pidity oflightning he laid
down the lady, and took off his coat,
which was frock tied the sleeves as
tight as he could round his right foot,
then swung himself from the window,
holding on with his hands, said few
words to the lady, when she got upon
his shoulders, and with GOODNESS and
presence of mind which would have
done credit to old Blucher, slipped
down to his legs, then seized the coat,
by which means she came within ten
feet of the ground, when she let go and
was caught in the arms ofseveral of the
spectators. The hero of this little ro-
nance was then in the most imminent
danger, hanging at distance of some
twenty feet from the ground, holding
by his hands, and the flames already
scorching them. Death seemed to be
inevitable. He relaxed his hold and fell
to the pavement lifeless, it is true, but
more from the stun Of the fall than real
injury. Both were carried to the house
of Miss ST. Piere'S mother, and in few
hours were almost recovered. What
gives the real romance to this incident,
is, that the "William" of the story had,
some months before, seen. loved, and
been accepted, secretly, it is true, by
the rich and beautiful Kate St. Pierre.
The attachment. It's said, was Eyes, and
is,) mutual, but owing to the disparity
in fortune, Mrs. ST. Pierre would not
listen to the proposals Of young s..
IT'S said that they are now to be mar
ried in very short time. making good
the words Of the poet,
"None but the brave deserve the fair"