Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-09-18


from the vlrious obstacles which were
llNntine about turn or two more would
bring them IN sirht of Catharine's dwell
linz. but y cross current met him. and he
bad serious struggle to prevent its ear
rving him away but. bv "A strong effort,
he turned the boat round the right corner,
and then, q heavens how fearful the
scene that burst upon his sight
The water which was bearing him on
was up to thc third story. and rapidly
rising hut there was n grca ter danger at
tending Catharinc than the angry fool.
The two first houses on the left hand side
OF the street, sappod from their founda tOns,
had fallen in one great crash, while the
next, being the one in which the Morciers
| dwelt, was swaying to and fro with every
impulse Of the fierce tide. and seemed as if
in one instant it would follow its compan-
ilns
Victor saw all this. though still at a con-
/ siderable distance, and also observed that
/ Cltharine was at the window Just above
| the water, alone, and clasping her hands as
| if for aid.
With desperate strokes he sent his boat
! forward, reckless of the broken boards
! pieces of furniture, and animals which
were thronging in his course. As he near
ed the place Of danger. he came upon side
street which rose above the water, and on
which were assembled consider lble num-
/ Der Of people watching the falling house
There were hn1ts rn,orcd near. in which
. ey bad brought of the rest Of the inhahit
ants but Catharinc had been aroused too
/ late, and did not come to the window till
they had steered off just afte-ward the
other houses fell, and no one would come to
rescue the helpless girl. Amidst the group
was NJ. Lubin on horseback, vainly urging
the boatman to make the attempt.
Ten thousand francs to any one who will
save Catharine Mcrcier. cried he.
There was n a movement and the sad
/ looks of the boatmcn betOkeucd how desper-
| ate the case was
Twenty thousand-forty thousand shall
it be-, cried he.
| Still no one stirrcd-hfc was dcarcr to
/ them than money.
! Young man. roarcd the frantic mer-
chant, as Nictor's boat shot past, half Of
my fortune shall You have il you sayc that
/ girl
Beware! cried an old sailor; it will be
certain DEATH
Victor turned his pale face for one ins.
tant. and shouted
Money cannot save her, NJ. Lnlin per-
haps true love may
\ murmcr OF applause burst from the ex
cltcd crowd.
Here, my brave fellow cried the old
sailor, throwing Il rome into tho h"ot, 'tio
,hno n'st, we shall pull you blck more
quickly than you can row, and there is no
time to be lost. may God speed you
Victor seized the rope, nd kuotted it to
IA seat, gave one desperate stroke, and his
boat released from stones which had stop
,t ,I L 4
the trembling house.
Catharine had given up hope. Life is
very sweet to the young and it was with
an agonilcd heart that She had watched the
hoatmcn-had seen NJ. Lu5in's lruitcss
gesticulatious, and felt that no human aid
was t. be procured. All the events of her
life flashed across her mind and bitter was
her pcnltcnce for every folly which had
looked 80 little till seen under the shadow
Of death. She felt that she could meet her
fate more calmly if she could have slid one
word to Nictor-but where was he y
sudden and more violent movement of the
house, convinced her that the time was
short, and shutting her eyes she knelt down
and commended herself to God.
y strong hand laid upon her shoulder
called her back to life, and starting up, she
saw her lover standing in the boat, keeping
it close to the window by leaning his whole
weight upon the sill.
Quick quick cried he jump into the
boat God grant that it may not be too
late :
She sprang lightly down Victor pushed
away from the house the hoatmen, who
were watching the scene with breath'ess
attention, tghtened the rope, and drew
| them rapidly blck.
Scarcely were they at safe distance,
when the whole building fell with II terri
| bic crash, and confused heaps of timhers
and bricks, around which the water hssed
and foamed, were all the remains Of what
| had lately been her home. Catharine shud-
dered and hid her face. Victor, who till this
instant had been silent, his compressed lips
and frowning brow alone testifying his
deep anxiety. exclaimed
Thank God we are safe =
They were drawn to the bank, and land
ed amidst the cheers Of the spectators.
When NJ. Lubin saw that Catharine was
out of danger, sayed by his hated rival, he
pulled his hat over his brOws, and spurred
his horse away from the spot.
Victor, having thanked the bOatmen
warmly for their sympathy and help, took
the poor girl upon his arm, and winding
his way by the more protected streets OF
Les Brotteaux, got safe across one OF the
bridges which yet remained unnooded.
But danger still held her naked sword
above their heads Now they were obliged
to fly from falling houses, as they passed in
a boat through some of the flooded streets
Then, as they pursued their way on foot, q,
they met a fierce current forcing its way in
new channel. Now they had to thread Il
terror stricken crowd, so dense and reckless
that it required all Nctor's strength to
guard his companion from being crushed.
Misery and confusion were on every side
mutilatcd sufferers were being carried on
stretchers to the hospital, and sounds of
grief and wild despair rang in their ears.
At last, weary, faint and drenchcd, Victor
led the poor girl to her aunt 5 house, and
without waiting to allow her to speak one
word Of the love and gratitude which her
full heart was struggling to express he left
her And SO the cloud rested between them,
Pierre welcomed his daughter with deer
emotion he had scarcc,y hoped to see her
and received her almost as one given him
back from the dead. Ills leg had been set
and Catharinc found him as comfortable a.
under the. circumstances could be expected
Again and again he made her relate the
tale of her rescue, and the warmth of the
praises he uttered Of Nictor's bravery wer,
as music to her ears.
The Young soldier had gone at once t,
his mothers home, to relieve her fears, anC
got some necessary food, but he would no
n stay to rest.
No, mother said, lac | have save,
, Cuthariuc, and her lille has been granted t.
, our prayers there are thousands of help
.. less women and children in danger and dis
i. tresS' and IN very gratitude must 60 an