Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-05-13

powered me. could only listen stupc.
fed, TO the meanings of the invalid, and TO
frequent crashing rolls of musketry low
er down the river.
With the fligh; Of hope, every vestige
of apprehension and fear seemed to have
lett me. / was absolutely certain we
should both perish, for TO abandon my
helpless parent. was thought which
never once entered my mind.
Suddenly, on the morning Of the lllh
of December, just rs was trying after
sleeplcss night, to prepare some food for
breakfast, the dreadful bombardment
broke forth in all its fury.
"Ah, it has como at last, and we soon
shall be out of misery" said ! stepping
quietly to the window, and looking ont
upon the terrible scene. No words
could convey picture OF what then
saw-lhc air filed with flame, and his
sing with deadly missiles; the crash of
buildings crushed by round shetland torn
open by bursting shells houses moment
" catching fire in every direction; and
what was more horrible than all the rest.
the frantic shrieks OF women and child
rcn, who too late, were seeking safety in
flight.
As stood by the window-!leavcn
knows how long, for / was dreadfuly
fascinated by the spectacle witnessed
wha, even now rs recall it makes me
shuddcr
A butchers cart drawn by an immense
grey horse with a man driving it, and n
little boy holding fearfully to the skirts
OF the mans coat. had Just come rafting
into view. had barely caught sight of
these figures, when she'll burst directly
under the animals feet-or possibly two OF
these missiles = for the horse. vehicle and
the human beings in it were literally torn
TO pieces | could see the mangled
limbs of the poor boy quivering on the
sidewalks.
Al once and utterly, lost all my rcso-
luton. In fact must have tainted. since
the next thing of which was conscious,
was my mothers voice, pitifully begging
me to answer her, and say whether | had
been wounded.
staggered up from the seat on which
had fallen, and attempted TO re-assure
her; but as may be supposed, unsuccess-
fully. For whole hour after this we
remained motionless in our chamber,
while the firing appeared to increase in
violence. The windows ratified like
skeleton bones, and the very foundations
Of the house trembled and shook at every
discharge.
1t was fast becoming calm again-dis-
pairingly calm-when | heard somebody
walking up stairs, and then awell'known
voice shouting our names. II was old
Robin. our negro servant, whom | had
sent, the day before, into the country, to
seek for provisions. My fathers slave
and nv grandiathers Robin. now seventy
years of age, but moro athletic than many
young man, hal clung with pathetic
devotion to the poor remnants of "thc
family" rs he called US Ny heart leaped
I'D when | saw his honest black iace, and
the notion that we might be saved, aicr
all, brought back all my strength of will
and courage.
Saved but how? People in times OF
desperate danger, think quickly, and are
apt TO resort to singular expcdients.-
Glancing about the room, my eyes fell up
on large but exceedingly light straw
chair, which had procured for my
mothers convenience when she was
strong enough to sit up. All. lucky
conception! We would wrap the invalid
carefully in double set of blankets, strap
her gently to chair, and if she could
endure the pain of removal. Robin would
take her on his back (she was scarcely as
heavy as a child) and leave the city for
the first place of safety that offered.
Hurriedly proposed the plan TO my
mother, who to my inexpressible relief,
accepted it eagerly. Her pale face
flushed little, and she actually looked
better at that moment than l had seen her
look Tor years. Tenderly. as if she had
been body, Robin placed her in tho
chair, securing her trail person by passing
several cords and Il broad strap across her
chest and knees, and lastly, taking the
burden, with no apparent effort upon his
back, he went down stairs. bidding me
follow him.
But oh that walk Of three miles. first
through the burning streets of Fredericks'
burg. with the roofs crashing above our
heads, jets of fire darting between doors
and windows. the hiss of balls. and the
peculiar singing of the great shells as they
passed in curves of flame through the
thickening smoke ;and then, these greater
dangers avoided, our plodding along the
country roads, choked up by overthrown
carriages, and scattered goods of every
description, with horses escaped from
their owners, galloping madly along the
debris of many a ruined homestead-can
ever forget il ail-ever erase from
memory the frightful picture Of that time?
At last, we reached farm house, the
people of which were our friends. My
mother, with exclamation of amazement
Al. ~ IL fop,;Ix- trac to l. on ot onca