Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-04-30

a hole I'll shut it, or sufocate tryin'. Wax
my fax, if don't p ,...,'5 s.ft H., b
The tall form of Podijah disappeared in the
mass of smoke that rolled from above like
thunderclouds. There was moment of in
tense anxiety, then the door was heard to
close. Almost simultaneously Podiah tum-
bled down the stairs, covered with cinders.
his face and hands blistered, and some of his
white locks withered to ashes. .'a .>.-.... q,
| Bravely done p cried jessie "If YOU
have not saved us, You have at les given us a
reprieve." I.. -. e. =
Don't praise me' returned Podiiah.-
"The praise Of gal intoxicates me like ar
dent sperit-the pooter the gal, the drunker
it makes me. 1 never shall git away from this
place alive if there's anything desperate can
do"
| desperate! all is desperate!' said Hutter
we might cut our throats and save our
selves, perhaps, if there was nothin' of fash
ionable natter to look arter but these gals
can't STAN musket balls, nor they can't STAN
Heaven !" exclaimed Paul. "What shall
we do ?-not for ourselves, but for these poor
girls" -... --... ----l!
| Escape as you can through the darkness
and as for us girls, we will trust the mercy Of
the enemy, and. yield ourselves prisoners" !"
answered Jessie, eagerly ~
| Yes, we will trust ourselves to the hu-
manity Of the Tories" said Judith and Ruth,
harriely.
You will find it a poor trust" returned
Huttcr, looking compasionately at the three
girls. 'It'll be miserable mercy you'll get
from them. No, no we can't think oftitat. "
God bless you Tom Hutter, no We
can't, inde ed, think of that. We will die, if it
be Heavens will, for these dear and helpless
ones, but forsake them neverp'
A loud shout arose from without The
Tories were exulting in their success
| What must be done ?' asked Paul, in an
agony of anxiety.
We can do two things" replied Hutter.
be shot" a y a ~ -,
"We'l neither be burnt nor shot!"' retorted
Podijah stOutly. . -,
"Pm bound to live as long as uppers and
unders will hold together l amt goin' to
knock under in the mornin' Of my days, by
gum know all Aeshi is grass, but I don't
want my grass cut while it's so green. I'll
hold on to existence to the last gasp, l swow
Tom Hutter, I'm goin' to cut just about my
highness and the highness of one of these gals
through the 'tarnal Tories, leetle quicker'n
you can load a load O. hay when there's q
thunder-shower comm dn like race
horse % ,.- ' go
Laurelwood House shook with the VIC.
lence of the devouring fame, which had eaten
through the roof and now enveloped tile and
rafter. While the group looked up in alarm
a red sworu of fire was thrust down through
the ceiling.
1T is the flaming sword it waves us
from our Paradise p cried Jessie.
| May" said Paul, impressively, 'some Of
us may be going to an eternal Paradise"
| The fire above growled angrily in answer
and the black smoke purled into the room like
the rank destructive breath of demon.
"Let each man see that his weapon is load
ed. Take care, gals! Stand back as far as
you can from the flame and smoke. There's
burnin' cinder on your dress, Miss Ruth
it blazes! |" .... =.
cit is out" said Podijah, composedly
smothering the incipient glow with his great
hand.
"We must rush out two abreast" said
Ter. g "odijah and l will 60 first. Ha
zelhurst, you and Blinko keep near the ladies'
Blinko, be brave, and use those large arms OF
yours to some purpose. Give 'em the con.
tents of the blunderbuss in the face ard eyes,
then club it and break their heads"
eyes mars'r Tom. This chile know what
he bout. Habbent fo'git dat hangin', yit-
Thought rs done for dat time Oh, golly
dind't it hurt when dey run me up to dc
limb 'Peared to stop my breff like. You
stood by me mars'r Tom, and I'll stand by
you. Lor'! won't make dis ole blunderbuss
spoke to 'em, de minute hab a chance to OBJ.
s4uintify cross de sights?"
The parties were now driven to the remotest
corner of the room by their new and irresist.
ible enemy, which was gathering strength and
ierceness with frightful rapidity. Hutter
unfasted the door, and the fresh access of the
air gave additional fervor to the confagration
He stood moment alone in the outpouring
smoke, but not shot was fired from the con-
cealed and watching foe."
"There is no help for it" added Tom. "We
must try it now or never, Podijah?"
"At your side!" responded the Yankee,
who exposed himself to danger as if he
had been accustomed to from childhood.
The walls shook with the vehemence o
the fire, and there was warning creak and
groan among the crumbling joists and trem,
bling rafters.
"The roof will fall in moment!" cried
Hazelhurst. "We are dead. Quick, Hutter
quick!"
The heart of Tom Hutter swelled with cour.
age and resolution; his form dilated; his mus.
cles quivered for the contest.
"To the right, friends-to the right Keep
under the smoke as much as you can and stoop
as you CO."
They glided unmolested to the end of the
dwelling. ...
"Now for the shruhbery in the direction
of Laurel Swamp!" whispered Hutter
"a crisis approaches. Dear young ladies'
be brave!" admonished Paul, whose steady
bearing and flashing eyes told that he was
ready to do battle for the fair beings under his
protection.
"Now for a dash-fast, faster-stooI
give as small a mark to the enemy as pos
sible |"
When two or three rods from the burn
ing building, the flames shot up with in
creased brilliancy, throwing a strong glare
upon the fugitives. A dozen men sprane
from the grass and foliage to dispute theil
"Stop!" shouted voice that was start
lingly familiar to Jessie Burnside.
"Down!" thundered Hutter; springing to
ward him with fierce bound, and aiming
blow at his head with his rifle. NantasSl,
staggered and fell upon one knee. The tai
Yankee pressed to the side of Hutter ant
the Tory fell crushed at his feet.
"Have at you, you 'tarnal critters! Podi
JAN Makepeace didn't come out here for moth
in. Come on-a dozen of ye at once i
There's score Of earthquakes shut up in my
bones!"
"Shoot down the rebels-shoot 'em down 7
cried Vantassle, over whose PROSTATE form
four stout fellows were contending.
Blinko discharged his blunderbuss, and tn
scattering storm of buckshot wounded sev
eral. s,. ...' .
"Seize the gals seize the galsl' shoute'
Langford. ..-..-. T.
"Fm with your exclaimed Nat Herrick
and both approached the terror-stricken girls
"Oh, Paul, save US from those wretches
shrieked Judith.
"Here's tor you, Mister p said Herrick, lev