The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-12-21

ietS hau not thoroughly caught;
slight embankment separated the two
with bitches between, and the vino
blew onward, not across the road
thus giving US comparative security
in proceeding. Arthur himself Ia
king the reins, struck at once into
this avenue and drove at full speed.
The wind increased, while the crack.
ing and roaring sound, the flyin.
cinders, and the growing heat, gave
us new motive for flight. The hope
Of escaping the flames was soon more
faint, for Frank the coachman, cried
out. Fire ahead NAUSEA i" Arthur
checked the horses; it was true, the
flames were about to meet on tho
right hand hedge Of papa's avenue;
still, the left was but partially igni.
ted, and the current Of air continued
to blow from the path we had taken.
In the momentary pause for delibera.
ton, We heard a shrek from the en-
closure on the right. Mcrciful Heav.
en-! it was Binah's voice, raised to
yell of horror. crying
Help, help, God Almighty! help
Biuah, for Christ's sake Help lit.
tie Miss Patsey! We guine for
burn up; help, help
Arthur hesitated not moment,
but saw that he turned deadly pale.
You can remain here few min.
ntes in safety said he; the win'l
still favors us. | will soon return
And scarcely allowing himself to
look at me, he threw Franks cloak
over his head as a protection against
the brirrs, leaped the ditch, assembled
the bank, with his strong arm forced
a passage through the hedge and dis
appeared
| scarcely remember what next
occurred; but frantic violence took
pnss: :ssion Of me, and would have fol-.
lowed but for Franks restraining
arm. | watched the flakes that
cnrlci, rose, and sailed of in the dis
tance, nr cnuyht some ncighboriny
tree. I saw the young trees fall,
and flames curl round the old, the
sound seemed like the Kissing Of SER
pent's tongues in nockcry, and
chattcred and Knocked at them in
return. Those momcnts seemed to
concentrate ages Of feeling. At
length | heard a voice, Arthur's 5
voice, calling for aid, but so strange
and unnatural Frank had been in.
dustrious in making a clearance
through the hedge, whose top began
to burn in various directions. We
climbed the bank, sprany through
and found him. IIe had rescued
Patsey, and protected her with
Franks cloak; Binah had cluns to
him as long as life lasted; but there
she lay, withcred corpse, while he
staggered and fell. l took Patscy in
my arms; the frightened child clung
sobbins to my neck, while Frank
bore Arthur to the carriage. The
flames were now around us, bnt love
and fear gave MS power. Frank
drove furionsly. Poor Arthur spoke
not; ; blackcncd by the smoke and
torn with the bricrs, he lay helpless
across the seats. We were near home,
but tic seconds seemed hours. could
not carcss my poor little Patscy, who
pressed her check tu my bosom in 81,
lcncc, and trcmblcd like an aspen leaf.
The rushing smoke s,tlrd, the heated
air oppr, sscd me; and the silence was
only interrupted by .Arlhur's groanS.--
On entering the court made one
more effort to arouse the sufferer.
Speak to me, Arthur | said, 'onc
word, only one, but his parchcd lips
attempted uttcralcc in vain.
On our arrival he was carried to bed
and medical aid called; mamma, in the
meantime, prescribing for him, and al
lowing Inc to sit by his side with her
llc could not bear ray of light, and
| attended him in darkness. Alas,
could not press his dear hand, nor COO
his brain, nor touch his parched lips
all was agony, burning, restless agony
Who has not, at some moments o
their lives, felt willing to lie down an(
die for beloved one At such peri
DDS the grave has seemed II sweet bee
Of repose, and death IL precious minis
ter of love.
For many days saw not the face
of my dear Arthur. retired Will
mamma while the physicians dressed
his wounds, and returned again to 81
BY his side. Gradually he began t,
utter words, and called my name.
wept for joy ut the blessed sound
then one poor hand could press mine
faintly and bear the soft language
reciprocatcd. Slowly the light wa.
admitted, snd | saw him; but--oh m,
hcart-how changed The beauty 0
which | was SO proud was gone Tn,
rich hair no longer lay on his nobl,
brow, once so serene, was fnrrowcd b,
deeper lines than aYc or sorrow cal
ensravc. Shouid not hare know,