American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-27

grafton was like tho rush of the Danube IN
flood. Faster and faster the diligence was urg-
ed along, for its inmates were almost frantic,
and when at last it stopped, each man leaped
breathlesslY from his seat, and regardless OF his
baggage, hurried to that quarter of the city
which was the scene Of the disaster, for it was
there that most Of the trading classes, such as
were the usual travellers in the diligence, resi-
ded, and tho combustbe nature of the high
wooden buildings promised, now that the con
fiagration had got Roadway, 10 afford but little
time for females, who might happen to be alone
in them, to escape.
The bell tollod on. Clong upon clang shook
the air, each note striking the nerves with more
painful acuteness than the last. As they ap-
preached the burning quarter Frederick saw
that what he had feared was too true, and that
the fire was rapidly surrounding, if it had not
already surrounded, the square where Marge-
ret resided. Youth and despair gave wings TO
his feet and he flew on, leaving his compan-
ions far behind. He was now on the outskirts
of the conhagration. Huge piles of furniture
were accumulated in the streets, near which
stood houseless females and children weeping;
crowds of men hurried TO and fro shouting
hoarsey and passing Water-buCkets to the fire.
men; while body of soldiery was occupied in
laying u ITdln 10 DlOCk OI uOuh6S, WlllCIl sOOu
| blew up with tremendous explosion.
Regardless of these things Frederick hurried
on. He had but one thought, it was to save
his betrothed or perish in the attempt. The
winding streets of the old town prevented him
from seeing, as yet, whether the square occupi-
ed by Margaret was still untouched, and he
was prey to suspense, more terrible than the
worst certainty. At last he caught glimpse
of the house in the distance. 1t was still safe,
but the way thither was long, and through u
thousand dangers. Already the sparks began
to shower around him; the heat, too, was be-
coming excessive; and fewer and fewer inhabi
tants crossed his path for al. seemed TO shun
this devoted quarter.
He was now opposite the great square,
which, on every side, was mass of fire. Tho
parish church which fronted it, aud which
had withstood the storms Of centuries, had
caught, and was now wrapped in flames,
which burst from all the windows and roared
up through the lofty steeples as through
the chimney of furnace. The square was
nearly deserted, and on every hand the nhabi-
tants had long since fled from their habta-
tions. But the old sexton Of the church, either
unable or unwilling to leave his post, was seen,
high up in the tower amid TIE surging fire; and
as it mounted around him, be began TO chime
the usual evening service. There was some
thing inexpressively solemn in that hymn,
sounded thus from the midst Of the confiagra
ton. Higher and fercer rose the flames, and
| louder chimed the bells, until, at last, with a
crash, tower and ringer came to the carth.-
But Frederick needed not even this; for, at
that moment, the wind partially shifted and
the flames went roaring down toward the
house that held all which was dear to him on
earth.
The people could now be seen hurrying in
every direction from the threatened district
Here were fathers bearing the sick, there mo-
theirs carrying their babes, yonder young chill
dren who could scarcely walk lettering along
crying after their parents; affrighted looks
were seen, and wild prayers heard on every
hand. The voice of the advancing conf1agra-
ton was like the sound of the sea in a storm,
or the combined howl of thousand of hun
CRY wolves. And now the streets began to
grow more deserted. At intervals were heard
the shrek of some deserted or desparing in
valid, or the fall Of the house that buried him
forever. The street in which Margaret resided
was now blocked up, at its furthest end by the
flames, which were coming down with fright
full rapidity Yet Frederick had seen nothing
of his betrothed, though he had not moved
HIS CJ Oo iiOh thO oNiu'iB oiiiCO ''c chbS'SA NV
square. She must be in the house, deserted
and alone. Tho thought nerved him to mad
ness he gained the door and dashed in
The house was already full of smoke. The
upper rooms were on fire. He knew the
apartments where Margaret resided, but they
were distant, and the way was narrow and
crooked. Yet he pressed on, The smoke be-
came thicker so that he could scarcely see,
o,1 tbo ,hor alp,nSt ttah Ia
from the sitting heat. Still he CROPPED his
path along, and at last reached the chamber of
Margaret She was not there. He called to
her; no answer replied. He began to fear that
she had already persisted, when he bethought
| him of her sitting room, which opened, by
door, from the one he was in. He rushed
through, and found her lying insensible and
alone before the crucifx, for, az he feared, the
servants had all fled.
He raised her to his shoulders, but how was
he to escape? He could hear the crackle of
the approaching flames, and the staircase was
obscured with smoke. But he dashed boldly
towards il and CROPPED his way to the street;
and never was breath Of air more grateful than
that which, though hot, and at any other time
sitting, relieved him in the open street. Yet,
even here, all hopes of escape appeared cut OIL
| On every side of him heaved a sea OF fire.
The clang of the distant bells was scarcely dis
tinguishabe in the roar of the surrounding
flames. Not human being was visible He
was alone.
In this emergency he remembered an old
tunnel which he had been told, when boy,
had once existed in this quarter of the town, to
carry off the waters Of several large springs
that had once formed a stream hereabouts. If
the entrance to this conduit could be discover
ed, he might yet escape. The happy thought
terminated him, and though nearly faintng,
he suddenly gained the strength Of a giant
Regardless of the falling houses, he continued
his search, and, at last, was crowned with sue
cess. The opening to the tunnel was almost
oh rod I'M r,,bh lat, lar h