Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-03-26
From the New York Mercury.
THE OFFICERS STORY.
BY HIBBLE wHITISLEY.


"Do, Charley, do % chimed in the 9th
erS.
| These remarks proceeded from group O.
American officers, who were surrounding 9
campfire, endeavoring to keep warm
"Wen, then" said the one addressed as
Charley, 81 viii tell you a true one, which
happened to me once, although it almos,
1tmakes my blood run cold to think of it. a.,
" Five years ago, as | was on my way te
Join my regiment which was stationed at the
town of Charleston, the stage took in an old
gentleman and his daughter, whose whole all
bore the stamp of birth and education.
could say nothing in regard to thelooks of the
young lady, on account of her veil and bon.
net but a fine form, with occasional glimpses
of sparkling black eyes, and lovely complex.
ion were enough. . ''.'''
| When we arrived at the hotel, in the
town Of B--,I procured room, and
then called for supper, but on account of the
fatigue of the journey, felt no inclination to
eat and, shortly after, went to my room and
threw myself on my bed, but could get no
| rest. s..s -. .ey 49, .. r,f
While in this state, was startled by a
rich, mellow voice, quite near me, which |
Immediately knew to be that of my fair fel-
| low-traveler, warbling, in sweet tone, "Sil-
yer Lake." On examination, / found that
there was door between my room and hers,
apparently long nailed up and disused. As
Twas imptiently ruminating, she commenced
in the same sOtto uoice, and sang the song
| from Tribly Lutrin, "Encoute." Then, TAX
ing up the song, sang the second verse; Her
voice Immediately ceased, and heard her no
| more.
1t was growing very late, and, wearied
more in mind than body, once more threw
myself on the bed to sleep, though l had no
expectation of slumber. did sleep, howev-
era sleep shall never forget. l was fear
fully aroused from it by what seemed to be
tumultuous voices, the roaring of cannon and
drums, and, occasionally, peals like thunder.
| felt oppressed by the glare of light. A noise
like thunder startled me from my uneasy
couch, and | sprang upon the floor. Theroom
glared red with rapid flashes, as if illuminat-
ed by the bursing ofa volcano. Accustomed
to danger, | soon collected my thoughts.
approached the window, and saw that the
town was on fire. 1t was the blowing up of a
house in the vicinity that had suddenly ar
Oused me. From the shouts ] heard, my
hotel was evidently burning. l rushed to-
ward the door, but at that very moment, I
recollected the lady near me. knocked vio-
lently at her door-this was no time for cere-
mony. tried with all my strength to force
an entry, but in vain. sprang to my door,
but found it locked. l remembered locking
it before going to bed, and taking the key out;
but had utterly forgotten where l had put it.
After attempting to burst it open with my
foot, l essayed chair, and then table
until both of them were shivered into frag-
ments.
"As could see by the light that the crowd
was a very large one, determined to call for
assistance. In my impaticnce to open the
window, dashed my hands.,through the panes
of glass, severely cutting them, and called
loudly for help. But, amid the clamor and
noise, and tue roaring of fianies, a cannon
could scarcely have been heard.
"The room began to be oppressvely hot,
and the floor parching my feet. had faced
death in hundred battle-felGs, and feared it
not, but, to die thus! | sank down on my bed
in despair. Gushes Of dark, red fame, ming
led with a black, murky cloud filled my
room.
Good heavens p l exclaimed, "it is all
over ! have nothing to do but to die like a
man ~
" At this very moment, loud splash rat
tied through the shivered panes, and was
delugcd with shower of water The fire.
engines were playing on the building.
"Once more arose, resolved to make an
other effort. | seized the tongs and poker,
and tried to force back the lock. My strength
seemed to increase with my desperation. |
toiled til the skin was rubbed from my before
lacerated lands. Almost faihting staggered
back against the wall, where saw my rehec-
ton in large pysche. My eyes were blood
shot and haggard my hair hung in thick,
lank spikes, while my face was covered with
SCOT and blood.
What have related occurred in few
minutes. A wooden portico, covered with
tin just under my window, had long resisted
the furious clement but at last it gave way.
The sudden heat that rushed into the room
was too much for me. My knees tottered,
and my head swan round | threw myself
on my face, remembering that there is said to
be pure layer of air near the floor. While
thus extended, my eye caught the door-key
near me, that had fallen from a nail over my
head. seized the key, and gained the door
but the dense cloud into which arose over
powered my exhausted frame, Ireeled around
and fell to the floor, and, as | fell, a loud
crash rang in my ears.
How long lay insensible know not
When was out of danger learned from the
physician that the young lady, who had been
awakened by her father, followed by two no.
BILE firemen, rescued me; and, when the door
between the rooms was shivered to pieces
with one of their axes, one of the firemen
caught my lifeless body, while his companion
carried off the heroic girl, who tainted on see
ing nv PROSTATE form.
My first inquiry was about the young la
dy who saved my life. AS it was, found
her an angel. And that awful night, which
still makes my blood run cold, made me what
l ana happy husband;"
Quaint Defence Of self.Contradiction.