The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-15
JAS. r, MORRIS, Editor and Proprietor.

way impossible. Most of the second story
was also burning, and the entire first floor,
for the confagration had broken out there
originally. To reach the apartment where
the nurse, probably paralyzed by terror,
was still with the child, seemed out of the
question entirely. .e.
mined to make the attempt. The sight OF
the mothers face, and the sound Of her
broken means, as she sank into the arms
of those who restrained, exhausted by her
struggles to escape, determined Juba to
try at least to rescue his young master.
81 will go, missus," he said, don't cry
any more"
He looked around, as he spoke, for some
means of scaling the second story. There
was no ladder, and only one staircase, but
the bough of an ornamental tree, that over
shadowed the house, fortunately held out
a means of access 10 a bold heart and
strong arm. Not stopping even to hear
his mistress thanks, he climbed up tbs
tree, ran out on the limb, and dropping on
the roof, disappeared within the dwelling.
How breathless were the moments that
Eensued. The flames were spreading with
frightful rapidity. The caves Of the build
/ ing began to smoke, showing that the fire
within had reached the roof. and soon af
ter the whole line of them flashed into
conaagraton. Meantime the lurid ele-
ment poured out from the windows, ran
upward licking the combustible front, and
streamed in waving. dazzling pyramid,
high over the top OF the mansion. far into
the blue armament. Millions of sparks
accompanied by volumes of rolling smoke,
sailed down the sky before the breeze,
completely obscuring the heavens at inter-
walls, though occasionally this thick cano-'
py partially blowing aside, the calm moon
was seen, peacefully shining down through
the rent, in strange contrast to the other
wise terrific scene. The roar Of the con-
fagration had now became intensely loud;
and, to add to the horror, there began to
be heard the awful sound Of timbers fall
ing within the house.
Mrs. Stewart had watched the fire in
silence, her hands clasped and lips part
ed, ever since Juba had disappeared with
in the house. Each moment appeared an
age to her. At last the suspense, thus
heightened out interminaby, as it seemed.
became intolerable.
"Oh! it is in vain," she cried, making
anew effort to rush into the flames; she
can not find my boy. Let me go myself.
For the love of Cod
But at that instant, through the smoke
that almost hid the only window that was
not already on fire, appeared the faithful
Juba, holding aloft the infant. The flames
were all around, and in moment more
would overtake him. He made rapid
gesture for some one to approach.
Four Of The males. comprehending his
wish, snatched blanket and rushed
promptly forward. The heat was intoler-i
able, but they disregarded it, and standing
benea the window with the blanket out
stretched, they shouted to Juba to throw
the child toward them. He had, however.
anticipated them. The infant fell while
they were speaking, was caught safely in
the blanket and was hurried Immediately
to Mrs. Stewart, who clasped it to her bo-
som with frantic delight. The whole was
the work Of less time than we have taken
to describe it.
But simultaneously a terrific crash was
heard that made the earth tremble beneath
the spectators: huge column of smoke
shot up toward the sky, from where the
roof had been, and, as if propelled from a
force pump, gush of intense fame fol-
lowed leaping far up into the highest
heaven. 49, 81
The. crowd, one and all, gasped for
breath Then came deep, long drawn
sigh, for the roof and floors had evidently
fallen in, and the faithful Juba, alas! was
nowhere to be seen.
A dozen persons rushed toward the build
ing. and, until driven back by the heat,
stood close by the window where he had
been latest visible. They had hoped to
fnd him there. They had fattered them
selves that there had been lime enough for
him to leap. - r.;a.,
But it was now plain this had not been
the case. He most probably felt the floor
giving way, before he threw the child, and
if so, this explained the cause Of his haste.
They said this to each other as they fell
back. ia $500 1et
But there was little time for words.
Scarcely had this thought been exchanged
before there was another crash, and, with
a momentary waving motion. almost the
entire building fell in, so that what had
U00u SIotCly hdHSiOu uu uooi W 90
now only a shapeless pile Of blazing tim
bers. 8 Eaz 81 ts@ -.
/ The shouts, the EXPLANATIONS. the Sob
bings which had filled the air the instant
before, ceased again at this appalling
spectacle. Neighbor looked a: neighbor,
aghast with horror, the lurid light adding
ia wild. spectral look to each inquiring
face. Then simultaneous cry rose from
the crowd that Juba and the old nurse were
/ buried in the ruins.
But suddenly, from out the fame and
smoke, in the direction where the gener-
Gus slave had last been seen, what seem
ed human figure began to emerge, crawl
ing spainfully ON ehands and knees. A
human figure, yet crushed almost out o
The shape Of humanity, but still with life in
Hit, for it moved. - lsq.f s.,,i 5.-.,st Ia sass
And hagk! voice. Afull, deep voice
coming from that mangled body. What
did il say? - @-~Ss ,-.4s,s.,.r..gs a.. ~ |
Not words OF pain, reader, but words
A Of joy, words that you and ! might bless
/ God if we can say, when. dying. IS ,s,s ls
4 1oy They were words such as the martyrs