Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-02-27
From the Commonwealth.
The Burning of the Theatre.

From tho Commonwealth
The Burning of the Theatre.
CHAPTER FROM AN UNFINISHED NOVEL.
By the author of The Pirate of the Guif ne Paace
and the Howell SIC.
II was the evening of the second day of their stay
in Cincinnati and our young friends were seated in
a famous oyster cellar discussing two smoking dish
es of stetred" when Harry remarked:
Frank, what say you to going to the theatre to-
night? know of no better way OF passing OH the
time"
ssrm your man. old fellow cried Frank, who was
in for anything promising fun
A short time after this, the young men were wen-
ding their way to the theatre at " Shires Garden.'
Arriving at the theatre. they procured g box' and
proceeded to take deliberate survey Of the audi
ence.
Now it happened that this very night one of the
most popular tragedians OF the day was to perform
favorite piece and consequently the house was soon
filed to suffocation and such a galaxy of beauty
greeted the eyes of young friends, as almost to
dazzle them.
Absolved in the contemplation of the beauty of
the Queen City, Harry at length aroused from
his revery by the exclamation of Frank:
Heavens, Harry, perfect divinity, is she not p
Seated in the box designated between two gentle
men. the eldest of whom, judging from his appear
ance, some sixty years OF age; the youngest
TALL dark compectioned mustached exquisite, might
have been twenty three four years od--was
Young girl. who could not have seen than some
sixteen OF eighteen summers. In statue: she
rather above than below the medium height; with
fair transparent skin, slightly tnged with rich car
nation hue beautiful dark auburn hair, braided
tasefully over her fair forehead and eyes, oh! such
GLORIOUS eyes deeply, darkly, beautifully blue; or,
as my friend Snubbs would say, ''they perfect
loadstunes that would draw feers soul clean thro'
his body"
Deduce certain logical conclusions from the above
premises dear reader, and the result will be very
fair picture Of our heroine, ELLEN STANHoPE the
Rose of Avendale.
{: This is, indeed. lovely creature, Frank" re-
H. otto Of
At this moment the fair stranger caught the eye
of Frank bent on her with such earnest gaze of
admiration as to cause rich carnation tint to
spread her beautiful features, and also a strange
| futterng sensation the region of that young
gentlemans heart.
! At length the curtain rose, and the actor was
greeted with three deafening shouts ofapplause
The first scene over and again did the eyes OF
i Frank and the beautiful unknown meet Again she
crmsoned to the temples, and again her eyes sought
the floor Frank, too was visibly embarrassed
This frequently repeated during the interval be-
tween the first and second act and when the curtain
again rose twas all over with Frank. Twas plain
case--so plain in fact she who runs light read"
Alas, poor Frank for the sweet dreams of single
blessedness they replaced by visions of
silk dresses and bonnes to match, of babyjumpers
and mahogany cradles!
Ah me ah, me! this love plays the very mischief
with fellows good resolutions!
Shortly after the rising of the curtain for the
cond scene a terrible uproar suddenly broke the
death-like stiffness which reigned throughout the
entire audience, intermngled with and groans,
and then loud cry of . Fire fire !! fire ~ and
instantly a large volume of smoke and fame rose up
from the pit.
Such an awful scene of confusion and horror as
ensued, completely battles description. Shreks of
terror groans of despair, loud curses and impre-
cations, intermingled with horrible yells of laugh
ter; some were knocked down, and the fright
ened mass needing not their cries. were soon tramp
led to death The passage to the street literal
ly crammed with human beings-high and low, rich
and poor Unfortunately mingled together, all bent
on subiect-that of selfpreservatlon. Our young
friends had both gained the street in safety and
we're looking on the scene of confusion, when their
attention suddenly arrested by the loud cry of
an old man.
my child my dear child Where's my dear
child O. save her save her For the love of heav-
en- save my dear girl!''
Frank turned pale.
Heavens, Harry, can it bet must--t as the
same! And see! God in Heaven, look ~
At this instant beautiful female appeared alone,
on the very top of the theatre buildings, which was
four stories in height, and waved her hand to the
multitude below her for help. What was Franks
agony to recognize'in her the beautiful stranger.
$50 help me Heaven, Harry, | will save her or
perish in the attempt.
And breaking away from his friend, Frank dart
ed into the burning building and disappeared, as il
were, in the very midst of the flames.
The gaping crowd stood aghast, and uttered excla-
nations of horror at this daring feat Shortly after
Frank disappeared, the whole stair fell in, with
tremendous crash
my God he's lost u was the universal exca-
nation But no--just at that moment, he reappears
on the roof, with the unknown in his
A loud shout rent the air.
'Get the ropes and ladders, quick was universal
ly shouted and fifty sprung to obey the order.
Instantly the ladders up but they were
not long enough by FEET!
The excitement was intense.
And now it was that the voice of Frank rung out
clear above the din.
Some one come to the top of the ladder and throw
me rope.'
Twas hazardous feat. The wall was in danger
of falling in every instant
Sc At this moment brave Irishman sprang ur
the ladder with coil of rope, and cast it to Frank
That Misther Pat O'Roony
{ sHurrah for Pat, hurrah was the general shout
Carefully fastening the rope to the beautiful girl
Frank gently lowered her till she reached the ladder
. Now lower yourself, for will remain here till
you are by my side!' Thus spake the heroic maiden
Come down. lady, come Immediately. The wall
is in danger of falling every moment" shouted the
excited multitude beneath.
O. you should have seen those beautiful eyes flash
9 fire as surveying the multitude below she calmly
replied,
; & No, never, never, till HE comes!"
This uttered in low sweet voice, but its tones
e were fearfully distinct.
e Hark crack! crack :! The wall becomes weaker
h and weaker a few moments longer and it will-faH
n O. God what moment of thrilling suspense.
e Slowly lowering himself, Frank stands al length
by the side of the heroic Maiden and selling her in
3, his arms prepares to descend.
= Crack! CRACK! CRACK!!!
NJ 6 Heavens, how the wall trembles.