The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-07-13
From Peterson's Ladies' National Magazine.
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH. "
BY ]. THORNTON RANDOLPH.

At the dead of night their was cry
"Fire, fire, fire!"
Even in great city, where thousand.
are athand TO render aid, it is terrible cry
at that hour. But on a lonely plantation
how inexpressiby awful.
"Fire fire, fre!" 1t rang through the
wide hall and was echoed from the negro
quarters in every variety of tones of horror
and alarm.
The mistress of the mansion, awaking at
the cry, sprang from her bed, and hurriedly
began to dress, gazing around bewildered.
For moment she was concious only that
her husband was absent. She was recalled
to something like herself by the shreks of
the maid who slept in the sroom, and in
stead Of assisting her toilet, was pointing
with terrified gestuations to the ruddy re-
Election playing against the trees in front OF
the house.
Suddenly, to add to the confusion of the
scene, the chamber door was flung open
and crowd of female servants rushed in,
Aocking frightedly together like n covey
pursued by the sportsman. They closed a.
round Mrs. Stewart's bed, screaming, weep
ing, wringing their hands, and depriving
her of what little presence Of mind had been
left. aea
"Oh! missus, we shall be burnt to death
we shall, all Of us. The fire has caught to
the staircase. The blessed Lord hab mer-
cy'on US
These and similar exclamations Gleo the
air and distracted her attention.
Meantime the cohagration became more
serious each minute. Had that terrified
group listened, they could have heard the
roar Of the flames in the hall outside, and
the cracking sound that announced the ap-
proach OF The ire to the wood work near
The staircase, warning them that if they
would save their lives, their flight must be
instant. Bpt they only huddled closer to-
gether. sobbips, moaning, embracing one
another franticaIy.
All at on;e man dashed into the room,
with agitated face and dress disordered. -
Thrustng aside the terrified maids he hast
lily approached his mistress.
Fly" he cried breathlessly, "this mo-
ment, Or you'll be too late" And glancug
around Tie room, he snatched the rich COW
~ from the nter-ta5ie, which stood in the
middle OF the apartment, covered with books
pretty trihes, and flowers in vases. This
he threw around his mistress, saying, ut
Will keep the fire from catching. Come. y
The sight Of his facs had treasured his
mistress. Juba was about her own age.
had been born in her fathers family and
'had always exhibited the most devoted at
tachment to herself personally. Above all
The servants onthe plantation he was distin-
guished for strict, religious perform ance
Of his duties, for Juba was consistently pi-
GUS, He was also srewd and readyin every
emergency, and Mrs. Steward felt that he
would save her, even at the peril of his
life.
Jubas even while speaking. had seized
her hand and dragged her toward the stair
case, RutnoW gust Of wind drove such
voluI,es Of thick, black smoketoward them
that she was almost suffpoated, and she
paused, unable 70 proceed. Il was not a
lime 70 hesitate, So Jpba, snatching her in
bis arms as be would child. and dragging
the cover entirely over her, face, dashed
into the rolling volumes of smoke, and down
the great staircase. ...
Tie was not moment too soon. Scarce
ly had he reached the bottom, followed by
the attrighted maids, before the passage was
closed entirely BY q dense wall ii flame
Neither be nor the female servants, in