The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-10-04
A Deed of Noble Daring.

COrueu dS one OF tfle events attelluHII ol 'Hc
late destruction by fire of the Imperial Thea
tire at Moscow:
From the suddenneSs of this melancholy oc-
currence, and from the number of employees
permanently living with their families in the
House, many lives were lost. Three skeletons
were found in the ashes. Just at the COM
mencement cf the fire, three workmen who
had been engaged in the upper stories, finding
no means to descend by the staircase, SO rapid
was the progress of the flames, jumped out of
the windows to the lower roof, which being OF
iron, soon became SO intensely hot, that two
of the unfortunate beings, threw themselves to
the ground, and were killed by the fall. The
third, with more presence of mind, made his
way over the protruding broad cornices, and
there remained some minutes, till the greedy
element, not content with the number of its
victims, made its appearance close by him.
The poor man cried loudly for help. Ladders
were procured, but they did not reach the
height at which he stood. lie saw it, and
raising his arms to heaven, he'made sign of
the cross, and began to approach the edge of
the prccipice before him. In an instant more,
he would have become corpse.-Thonsands
of people stood all around gazing with horror
at the immense pile, upon which this poor man
remained hel pless and hopeless. Silence like
that of the grave reigned among the multitude.
His fate seemed inevitable Suddenly was
heard voice, "Stay moment, my good fel.
low! Pray to God, and I'll endeavor to save
your All eyes were turned to the spot from
whence those sentences were uttered. Agrodp
of three men were observed, common peasants;
two of them holding by the arms and shoul-
ders third, who was struggling hard to break
from the no of his friends. Let me 60, my
lads, sail he, smy hart is burning within me;
| cannot bear the sight of a Christian soul thus
perislingp And with powerful effort, lie
broke loose and darted forward. The dense
crowd gave way as he ran to the burning build
ing, pulling from himself, and at the same
time throwing away his shool (sheep skn)
and his hat. In an instant he was at the foot
of the ladder; here he took off his boots at
tached a rope round his waist, and seizing an
oven.tork which happened 10 lay close by, he
began to ascend the ladder, which did not
reach at the utmost to two.thirds Of the height
at which stood the victim Having attained
the upper foot-step, the generous man took
hold of the rain.gutter. Apparently, it was
not very safe means of ascent, as it bent and
ratified under his weight-But the man was
resolved he made the sign Of the cross, and
began to climb up. cloud Of suffocating
smoke whirled around him; the flames were
fast approaching; burning timber, red hot sheets
of roofing iron were falling down fom every
side; but what to him was all ths7 His heart
was burning within his breast; he could not
bear the sight of Christian soul thus perish
ing.
1t was frosty day; the rain-gutter was cold
as ice; his warm, sweaty palms and fingers
stick and freeze to the iron tube he tears them
off, leaving bloody marks at every hold, and
ascends Higher and higher, till he puts his foot
on projecting cornice. From hence, by means
of the oven fork, he handed the rope to the
poor man above HIM. "Te it fast to the hook
which supports the gutter. That's right
Now descend! Aud he held the other end of
the rope, and preceding the man STILL support
ing him down the gutter, placed him on the lad
der. The man was saved
During all this time the multitude stood
breathless; but when they saw them both out
of danger all hats were taken of, and Il sign of
the cross at every breast testified general
thanksgiving, and Il loud shout approved the
act Of generosity. Every one pressed forward
to see the hero of this little scene. The first
who approached him, an officer in the army,
gave him twenty-five roubles silver. The ex.
ample was followed nobIemeu, merchants,
peasants, took out their purses some gave
golden some silver coin; some threw into his
hat few copper copeeks; all gave what they
could. "God bless you, noble friend !" was
heard from every side.
The name of thisgenerous man is BAIL Mar
rim, native of the tGovernment Of Taroslaf
Being a roofer by Trade he for many years
lived in st. Petersburg pursuing his vocation;
but afterwards engaged himself as a boer-ma-
ker at the Government foundry of Rolpino.-
Last year he took leave of absence and visited
his native village. Having speht a few months
with his friends, he WAS returning to st. Peters
burg by way of Moscow, to avail himself of the
railways. He came to the ancient capital the,
day before the fire and, not having caught thei
train, was obliged to remain till the next day
As this was his first arrival in Moscow, he tol
the opportunity Of seeing the Kremlin, the
fortress, and to visit its venerable cathed
There, from some passers-by, he heard Of
fire, and hastene6 to the spot, where he
bly, distinguished himself
At o'clock in the afternoon Of the
day he took his seat in railway carrag .
the 18th of the same month he reached j
tersburg, and again enlisted himsefin thsl
Der of workmen at Kolpino. In two
ter he was summoned to the office O.
cral policemaster of the capital, whcr
told that the emperor desired to see
was accordingly taken to the palace.
perial Majesty received Marin in his ~
was pleased to say to him when he entere
thank you for a good action. Embral
and relate how you did it." In simpl