The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-03-12

alone to the smoking roof
The fall of the ladder created much ex
citement, and drew off the attention of the
fremen from poor Alice. Several firemer
were injured by the fall from the ladder
but Bradsford was taken up and borne off
with broken arm and leg, and a severe
fracture of the skull, perfectly insensible
Another ladder was reared up against th,
house, and hearing poor Alice call m,
name, | rushed upon it, but what with tn,
flames bursting from the lower story, anc
floods Of water with which the fremer
drenched me, WAS soon brought to tn,
ground.
"ALICE" exclaimed voice from th,
crowd, and the next moment Edward rush
ed upon the ladder, and plunged even into
the intervening flame. The firemen drench
ed him in moment, and barely saved hin
from the devouring flame that seemed eape,
for its prey. He had now reached the las
story, and instead Of continuing climbing tc
the roof, rs all expected, he leaped into :
window and disappeared from our view
Then came the breathless silence of suspens,
not sound was heard but the rise and
fall of the engine breaks, not a word wa.
heard, except in hollow whispers.
A few moments elapsed before Edward
made his appearance on the roof, but Oh
what a shout was raised when his mani,
form appeared beside Alice.
Another ladder quick ~ exclaimed
Edward-"and wet Blankets"
Several blankets We're drenched in water
rope attached to them, and fireman as
cended to the roof Of an adjoining house
and by fortunate throw succeeded in let
ting the end Of the rope fall within reach
Of Edward.
He grasped it, and succeeded in drawing
up the blankets, with which he completely
covered Alice.
A ladder was then reared up where tn,
flames were not so fierce, and amid tn,
huzzas Of the multitude Edward bore hi:
precious charge in safety to the street.
A carriage was Immediately ordered, anG
the major, Alice, and myself were driver
in silence to Edwards home.
The dear old lady received us with
marked kindness and hospitality, and EN-
braced Alice with all the fondness of 8
mother.
Edward was very much burned anC
though calm and unmurmuring, it was bu
too evident that he suffered much.
Are you burned ary, my poor child, >
asked Mrs. Nh, As she put her arm.
around Alice's neck,
NO, not at all, Mrs. M-n," replied
Alice, your noble hearted son took par
ticn'ar care that slPuld no, be; but tea
he has been severely injured"
Edward WAS Lot present when Alic,
made that remark, or perhaps she woul,
not have thus spoken.
Myself and the major returned to til,
fire, but all was but mass of smoking ruin,
by the time we reached il.
low the fire originated never heard
but very probably accidentally.
The next morning Alice was. as might
be expected, dangerously i'll. Edward wa.
almost continually by her bed side, minis
terlng to her wants, and doing all within
his power to make her comfortable.
Bradsford also was ILL., aud it was feared
by his physician that he would not recover
1t was affecting to listen to poor Alice
IN her dellrIum; and Edward ever and anon
would tu:n aside 10 weep when she smiled
upon him and musicaly whispered -"deqy
Eddie"
But must lower the curtain over nv
story, by observing that | left $ that
Afternoon, with the determination of writing
at some future day, story entitled she
Kicked Him." You have read that story
dear reader, and may depend upon it AS a
simple and uuvarnisheG statement of facts
that really occurred.
And now, as is customary and proper,
let me bring all the characters before YOU
ere the curtain falls.
| have been asked by many reader. OF
the SPARTAN" "DiI Edward finally marry
AIice!' 10 such, and TO all, reply, that
poor Edward now lies in the little church.
yard at $.
He became i'll as Alice began to recover,
was confined to a sick bed for many long
weary months, lost his reason, and a, last
died painful death
Ills conduct, in twice saving the life OF
Alice, reached the ears of her father, who
caused beautiful monument to be erected
over his grave, bearing the simple inscrip.
tion "EDDIE."
BradStord, contrary to all expectations,
recovered his health, and is now the father
OF two beautiful children, whose mother is
Alice.
The major lives with them now, and
though still cheerful and happy, he is no,
what he was before the death Of Edward,
whom he loved as a son.
l will venture to ado just here a portion
OF letter received from the good hearted
old man about two weeks before the first
part OF this story appeared:
"Mr. J. F. O..
my DEAR You've FRIEND: | write you
TINS under very peculiar circumstances
such as recall the past-wilh its mingled
ofhappness and sadness -llgh,
and shadow
II am growing old now, and realize the
vanity OF all which is earthly, and the i'm
Poriance Of everything which is heavenly
and eternal.