The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-06-30


brcathlcss silence, We heard moan un-
der our feet.
We worked with will now, and at
last heard more.
One of the men put his head close
down and cried, care any ofyou alive"
And some one grOanCd, ICS.n
Black with smoke, scorchcd by the
cindcrs we handled, we went Mt it again,
and at last came to u spot where the
beams had made Il kind Of penthouse.
There, jammcd together and half sullo- |
Gated, but alive, were four men. And |
such yell went up rs mortal ears never
heard before. -Four saved! Four saved
And we drew them out and gave them
over to the doctors. Then there was
another shout not so loud, for we had
come to one insensiblc, jammcd between
two logs. lie breathed though rs soon
rs we brought him to the air.
1t was u time no one ever forgot.
Judge what it was to me!
At last all were out but Mr. James, and
somebody cried that they could sec him
under some beams. 1t was dangerous
place to get at; but would not stop for
that. l forced myself into the narrow
aperture, and set to work. / called to
him, but there was no answer. At last
[ como to him, lying with great beam
across his chest. His beautiful golden
hair and beard were singed and scorch-
ed, and one of his hands was bli5tcrcd.
| touched him, and screamed in his cars,
but they were deaf to me. got the log
off somehow, and dragged him to the
light, and then had help enough. They
took him between them and laid him on
the grass, and the doctor untjlstcned his
vest.
els he deal" asked; and l meant
as truly as l live, if the answer We're
eyes" to tell the crowd before me what
| had done, knowing we'll that if did
no law could save me.
There was no answer for moment,
and l spoke again, Is he dcad?" And
God bless the dear, white-hcaded old
man who answered so kindly:
"No, my man, he isn't dead. think
he's coming to-"
Oh, the mercy of the good Lord
think of it! OF the whole not one was
killed. There were burns, and broken
limbs, and black eyes, but there was no
death; and soon | saw Richard james
pale and faint, but out of danger stand
ing before mo. | couldn't believe God
had been 50 good to me.
Then that old white-haired doctor
mounted on Il pile of burned logs aud
lifted his hat, and there were three such
cheers as were never heard before, and
Il dozen boys sped in to Baldwin to ring
the ,joy-bclls; and women came crying
to thank me for helping to save their
dear oncs-so that for shame | went and
hid myself in Baldwin'5 Woods and
cried, with my head hidden in my arms
on the old log where the violetS were.
Then somebody came softly up tho
path and sat beside me, and bent Ovel
me, and took me, singed and smoke
stained as | was, in two white arms
t and only one Of all the world could dc
| that-and without looking | knew il
was Annie.
MY noble, brave darling" she said
"my own dear that | am 50 proud ofn
and sobbed and kissed me.
"They are so happy too" she said
"and Mr.. James is only scOrchcd anC
, burned Il very little, and old Mr.. Red
ford is rcconcilcd to old Mr.. Williams
and they will bcmarricd after all, They
are SO fond of each other, Seth; as font
; as You and l."
And then ! stood up and put her gen
tly from me, and made atOncment 70
my sin by an awful sacrifice. told he
| the truth--what ! was, and what | haC
done, and why, and waited to hear he
rCnOunCc me.
She did not do it. She was shocked
and gricvcd, but she pitied me, and
dared to take her in my arms and cal
. her mine again. | believe that all m.
life there had been an evil spirit in IN.
breast, and that he left me forever Il
that moment.
1t was some time before the factor,
was rebuilt, and some had been injured
and many were ont of work. l kneN
| my duty. TO those in need came littl
gifts of money every week, with no clu
to its donor, until my savings were a
/ gone.
SO we did not buy the thrcc-roome
| cottage, and perhaps never shall; bu
pennilcss as | was, she married me, an
, we are happy.
Mr.. James and Miss Redford are ma
4 ricd too; and when we sit in church sl
D.. smiles across the pcws to that little vii
t of mine, and l think, with pang G
= terror even yet, from what Gods mere
{ saved me.
), CURIOSITIES OF HUMANITY.
I SOME author or other wrote hmso
ID al hp n