The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-21

SAINT PAUL. FRll
ance of city gentleman whom rumor had
reported immensely rich, and whose intense
sel6shness was veiled beneath manner OF
the utmost suavity. His attentions, to me
were marked and not to be mistaken-and
though be had not spoken of love, he acted
and looked like it, and believed him. .
"At this time lived with my mother
in our beautiful cottage at North Bend ;
the place was very gay, and social parties
large and frequent mingled with them
all, and Barton was my escort. Sometimes
saw Winslow. but be seldom approached
me. . - ,..,-.
1t was in October, think, the atmos
phere dry and COOL with night winds, when,
as we were returning from party. late at
night, was surprised and shocked at the
appearance, in the distance, of deep red
light, that seemed to climb the sky and
quench the very stars. A wild and awful
presentiment OF approaching evil at the
same instant crossed my mind.
"'If that should be our house, almost
shrieked.
Nonsense-it is much further off, said
Barton.
But was not satisfied, and hurried on
eagerly, dragging him with me.
I'VE came nearer, nearer. My fears
were all too true. 1t was indeed our beau
tiful home, wrapped in one broad sheet Of
smoke and fame. And forked tongues
were tapping the pillars, and shooting from
the windows, while up at one of the sky
lights stood my mother in her night dress.
"Witb one wild shrek called the att
tention of the crowd to her situation. Hur-
dreds of people had by this time collected,
though chiefly, as it seemed, for the gratifi
cation OF curiosity. Some were running
with ropes and ladders, others shouting and
giving orders, which no one seemed inclin-
ed to obey. .......... ..
I" My mother! my mother I cried +;
will no one 60 TO the assistance OF my
mother ? H
Every moment the flames increased
with astonishing rapidity, surging and roar
ing like the sea in a storm still my moth
er stood there surveying the scene with the
resignation of martyr.
BartOn! Barton ! l shrieked, 'fOr
Gods sake help my mother
"He stood still. implored and urged
him. At length he turned toward me with
frown saying:
81 cannot risk my own life to save even
your MOTHER t
'Great Heavens and l have loved the
man! The thought rushed seething and
seething through my brain.
"fhere was shout, an exclamation and
utterance of brave, strong words. Some
nervous arm had placed ladder and man
was rapidly mounting Onion through
the dense smoke wreaths-through singing
flames, scOrched by the intense heat f; on be
went. 1t was moment of intense suspense
the crowd swayed and murmured like
wind.swept wave. He appeared again
saw my mother in bis arms; l knew that
she was saved Then there was the crash
of the falling roof, mingled with wild excla.
nations; and great mist swan before my
eyes-a noise, not unlike that of the roar.
ing flame, was in my ears, and lost the
consciousness of surrounding objects.
els it necessary to tell who it was that
thus rescued my mother? or what emotions
l experienced upon hearing how deeply 1
was indebted to the man had despised 1t
is unnecessary, however, for me to tell you
that he thea and there lost the good looks
which you admire III that portrait. The
cloths were burned from his body, and the
flesh Of his face and neck SCARED and
ecorched till the skin seemed of the consis~
tency Of leather"
"There, there, my DEAR" said manly
voice at the door, "you have told enough /;
let me finish"
l looked up; man was there, on whose
countenance were deep traces of the fiery
element, but he didn't look ugly to me at
all. Each scar seemed rather a badge Of
honor, and the very soul of truth and noble.
ness beamed radiantly in his eyes. His wife
presented him, and, giving me his band, he
said:
"One whom my dear wife esteems 80 much
cannot be stranger to me, and now, since
she has told yon part-for have been a
sad eavesdropper-let me tell you the rest"
I joyfully assented.
"Then and THERE" be began, Il heard
the flame roaring around me, and felt its
fiery breath scorching my cheeks and seem.
ing to lap up the very springs OF life, but
was conscious only of great joy at my
heart, for the mother of her priced was in
my arms. knew when / touched the
ground with my precious charge. ! heard
the acclamations that rent the air, but
could only think that had made her hap
py, and in the bliss of that assurance forgot
for time my own sufferipgs, the world and
everything. h
81 lay i'll through several weeks-through
days and nights that would have been an.
guish indeed, had I not known whose care
it was that provided everything essential to
my comfort had not such q pleasant face
bent over me, such soft hand ministered
to my wants. Never, in the proudest days
OF my health. had I experienced such exs
qaisite felicity as in my weakness now,
when she sat beside me, when she read to
me- whon eho hros,o oht ma f.,,sx ~,,1 49,.