Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-05-18

sure he was unobserved, he hastened on, and dis
appeared in a small wooden shed adjoining the
house Of which We have spoken.
A few moments and he returned, while a
small streak of fame was observable through
the door fom which he had issued. Hardly
had he cast his eyes around ere they fell upon
person, whom he too we'll knew had been an
observer of the crime. Quicker than thought
he levelled him with the earth, and fastened
away. A moment, as if struck by some thought,
he returned and searched the pockets of his VIC
tim, and turning fled.
Peal after peal rang from the bells of the city,
and the cry Of fire! fire p resounded from eve
ry direction. The startled inhabitants were seen
leaving their houses, and fastening in the direc
ton from which the flames ascended; the ex-
treme darkness of the night rendering them so
brilliant as 20 raise the impression that large
portion Of the city was in flames.
Soon the hardy 6remen were engaged in their
work Of mercy. But nought could stay the an
cry flames. Suddenly cry, most heart-rending,
burst upon the ears of those gathered around.
Twas mothers shrek. Ny daughter! my
daughterp which was heard above the uproar,
: save save my daughter
A shudder passed through the crowd at that
cry; for who in the city knew not the lovely
and accomplished Miss Emeline Lester And
to know her was to love! Just bursting into
womanhood, she was almost perfect specimen
of all we admire Although f1attered and ca
ressed by all who knew her, she possessed a
mild and gentle disposition, while her mind
shone forth like some rich diamond upon the
coronet of king. Such was she whom it now
seemed must perish in the flames.
At the moment, Mr.. Lester stepped from the
crowd which had gathered around him, and With
a calm voice, while his face showed all the ago
ny working within, made known that his daugh-
ter was in the third story of the burning build
ing, and offered any reward within his power to
bestow on the person who would rescue her from
her situation.
A groan Of agony ran through the crowd,
which told the father that sympathy was all he
could expect from them. The stoutest heart
quailed at the thought of the iminent danger
which would be incurred in attempting a rescue.
The father again appealed in the most moving
strains, while the mother swooned in the arms
of friend
Suddenly young man burst through the
crowd and stood before the father. If perish
he, you will inform my friends, whom
you will find by means of this and he raised
suiiar shape and broInsb RGe. nStet te aH
he was buried within the burning pile The mo-
ments wore away. Agony was depicted upon
every face, and each heart trembed at its own
thoughts. All labor was suspended. A death
like stiffness reigned around, broken only by the
sulen roar of the flames, as they shot upwards,
streakng the sky with vivid light, or the fall
of a timber, as it came down with heavy crash.
The roof was seen to tremble, as if it shuddered
at the awful abyss into which it seemed about to
plunge.
Suddenly cry of joy echoed around, as a
part of the wall came down with tremendous
crash, for, ere it reached the ground figure was
seen to leap from the flames, bearing burthen
which he placed in the arms Of the father and
instantly disappeared.
The morning dawned brightly upon the ruins
of the proceeding night; and with its first rays,
person in the well-kuown hotel, near the centre
of the city, rose from his couch, upon which, if
his looks were to be credited, he had obtained
but small portion of rest. Hastily dressing
himself, he sailed forth to breathe the morning
air, and to invite the early breeze to play around
his burning temples. An hour elapsed before
his return, and in the mean time his room was
filled with a crowd of people, who appeared
somewhat disappointed at his absence. Unable
to account for the excitement which seemed to
exist he hurried forward and entered the room.
Here he was addressed by person who step
ped forward to meet him in these words:
Have l the honor of addressing Mr.. Angus
tas Montagues'
That is my name, sir p returned he.
You are my prisoner exclaimed the former
seizing him roughly by the arm.
Had thunderbolt opened path at his feet,
Montague would not have been more surprised
than he was at these words His face was, for
a moment, ovespread with deadly paleness,
which was quickly construed by the officer into
an evidence of guilt
Come! march my boyn exclaimed he, rude
ly seizing Montague by the collar, your face
shows plainly we have made no mistake in the
personr
why am l thus rudely treated' exclaimed
Montague, Indignantly shaking the officer from
him. ] am ready to accompany you; but why
am arrested
You are quite forgstful,' was the reply. But
come! and they moved off together, followed
by score of ragged loungers, who had eongre-
gated around them.
We Will not follow Montague through his eY-
ANIMATION, but leave him in prison, awaiting his
trial for the crime Of arson.
Il was a beautiful morning. The sun rose