Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-03-20
"You see, when Mr.. wiuslow first be.

had set my head very foolishly, suppose
on having rich husband. and one that
could keep me above the necessity of work
So sighted and repulsed him upon all
occasions. making him feel not merely in
difference. but actual loathing and scorn
Such treatment one might have sup posed
would quickly have obliterated his passion;
on the contrary. however. it seemed only
to increase it.
about this time formed the acquaint
ance of city gentleman. whom rumor had
reported immensely rich. and whose in
tense ssl6shness was vailed beneath man
to me were marked. and not to be mista-
ken--and though he had not spoken OF
love. he acted and looked it, and be,iev-
ed him.
cat this time I lived with my mother.
in our beautiful cottage at North Bend; the
very gay and social parties large and fire.
quent, mingled in them all and Barton
was my escort. Sometimes / saw Wins
low. but he seldom approached me.
though his deep. sad eyes seemed follow
ing me.
at was in October. think; the atmos
phere dry and cool. with light 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 time crossed my mind.
IF that should be cur house." / almost
shrieked.
"Nonsense-it is much further Of, said
Barton.
''But was not satisfied. aud hurried on
eagerly. dragging him with me.
I'VE come nearer. nearer. My fears
were all too true. 1t was indeed our beau
tiful home. wrapped in one broad sheet OF
smo Se and flame. 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.
with one wild Shrek l called tie at
tention of the crowd to her situation. Hun
dreds Of people had by this time collected
though chiefly. as it seemed for the gratti-
cation Of curiosity. Some were running
with ropes and ladders. others shouting
and giving orders. which no one seemed
inclined to obey.
MY mother! my mother!" cried.
will no one go to the assistance Of my
mother"
Every moment the flames increased
with astonishing rapidity, surging' and
roaring like the sea in storm. Still my
mother stood there surveying the scene
with the resignation of a martyr.
"Barton! Barton" / shrieked, "for
Gods sake. help my mother"
He stood still. l implorcd and urged
him. At length he turned toward me with
a frown. saying:
Il cannot risk my own life to save even
your mother"
"Great heaven! and 1 had lcved the
mani" The thought rushed seeihing and
seething through my BRAIN
"There was shout, an exclamation. aud
utterance of brave. strong words. Some
nervous hand had placed ladder, and a
man was rapidly mounting--on, on. thro'
the dense smoke wreaths-through singing
flames, scorched by the intense heat; on he
went 1t was a moment of intense sus-
pense; the crowd swayed and murmurmed
like windswept wave. He appeared a.
gain; and saw my mother in his arms. |
knew that she was saved. Then there
was crash Of the falling roof, mingled
with wild Explanations; and great mist
swan over my eyes-a noise, not unlike
that OF the roaring flame. was ia my ears.
and lost the consciousness of surrounds
ing objects.
''Is it necessary to tell who it was that
thus rescued my mother? or what emotions
/ experienced upon hearing how deeply |
was indebted to the man I had despised?
1t is unnecessary, however. for me to tell
you that he then and there lost the good
looks which you admire in that portrait.
The clothes were burned from his body.
and the flesh of his face and neck SCARED
and schorched till the skin seemed of the
consistency Of leather"
There. there, my dear" said q manly
voice at the door. you have told enough.
let re finish"
l looked up; man was there. on whose
countenance were deep traces of the fiery
element, but he don't look ugly to me at all.
Each scar seemed rather badge Of honor.
and the very soul of truth and nobleness
beamed radiantly into his eyes. His wife
presented him, and, giving me. his hand,
he said.
Zone who my dear wife esteems SO
much cannot be stranger to me, and now,
since she has told you part-for have
been an eayesdropper-let me tell you the
rest"
jeyfully assented.
"Then and there" he began, al heard
the flame roaring around me. and fclt its
fiery breath schorching my cheeks and
seemed to lap up the very springs of life.
but was conscious only of a great JOY at
my heart, for the mother Of her l 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
happy, and in the bliss of that assurance
forgot for time my own sufferings, the
world and everything.
Il lay i'll through several weeks-thro'
days and nights that would have been an
guish indeed, had not known whose care
it was that provided everything essential
to my comfort; had not such a pleasant
face bent over me. such soft hand minis.
1 4 =. L. <.x4