The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-22

just as those who had managed 10 secrro seats were
BEGINNING 70 Settle down comfortably and wore
awaiting the commencement OF the proceedings
tue alarm or fire raisca and In an iastan: that
Whica put moment previous was order and ap-
PARENT harmony now became scene OF the greatest
turmoil ana excitement.
"FiEE! FIRE ~ sMnfgKvp THE LADIES.
ana the beautiful creatures blushed and turned psio
with rap!dty that was perfectly appalling Pater
farnillas LOOKED around In anxlous tasror for tina
SAFETY OF his vile or daughters whilo some maidens
put themselves upon their muscle by removing
every seat out OF the gangwoys ami ass,sted
the moro elderly 20 escape towards tue doorwovl
But perfect deadlock was soon perceivable IN tna
passages OF ezit Many persons who had witnessed
the
VOLUMES or saoKH
rushing from the building into Twentythird street.
and, knowing that their friends were inside rushed
wildly up the staircase painting and excted-some
calling out, "Catharine," or Lucy or "Hother,"
with the hope OF attracting their friends from
the danger which at that time threatened
chose who were within the building. Hundreds
Of those, on the other hand, who were inside wer0
rushing TO get into the street, ana as they were
crushing through the doorways cries OF ION, dearp'
Dont rush sop ''Ihefe, my dress IL torn right upn
&C., were very numerous. Thus, what with tho
rush from without ana Inc crowJiHg from within. IL
way, and II me danger had really been Us great as
one might imagine exlstel at this time many lives
d auss nave oesa imperllled. But u was quite
qHE. ELDERS UPON TIE PLATFORM.
N4 sooper Had me nre begun TO show Itself on tho
Msiue y! Me IooI than these gentlemen made for
e,r mats as trough they were suddenly threatened
az g M nr sn as heS
the Gospel. Many OF these were veterans In every
sense o. the word and IT scarcely seems consistent
I'M mir
honr Of danger. but the ''iions OF Judah were NOT
strong; they dd not break their chains Of fear, Tor
some ten minutes had elapsed and the great por-
ton OF tho audience hal succeeded In making their
stored and the patriarchal once more gathered
upon the platform AMI stood looking on with
TERROR AND AMA2EhEAT.
"Thero II 10 again." said one goodlooklrg old
gentleman, pointing toward the spot where the
flames were playlng anon "a, root, aud he began 10
retrcat IRON the hail. followed by several Of his
freres, During tho time these things being
SO ainuslnsly enacted most iaugha6le incident oc
Cured upon the immediate scene OF the danger.
Seeing man fighting his way along tho gallery
with q ladder, gentleman or about lity Years VI
snow" probably feeling that the time had
come when he sAoald gam some laureis sy
SAVING THE BEAUTIFUL HALL
from destruction, shouted to the man With the lad
der, eli, hand thai machine over gentlemen, quick.
luick.n In an instant the LADDER was passed over
tue heads OF the people, anu The gentleman IN ques
ton ran up TO the SPOT vita all the agility of .
schoolboy, and faKing out his pocket handkerchief
lasted for about Two minutes. when, finding THAI
his EFFORTS were successful only IN burning his I'm;
srnoKe. lie Slowly descendea from his lofty height
with O look OF horror aud disfnay. ;, y
was ,e next crv ~ "a Hi nh. great number Of
ladies' ana gentlemen ll:.1 again Collected beneath
the gallery over which The ire had cmanated, and
movable panorama before taem, whel luddeniy
the ladies commenced shouting, ION, dear. deer.
cause es s Of tbs W was "V ia. % steam lea lire enc
CINE had now. arrived at the scene q
some tohs Of wafer had already been ihrown
upon the burning einbers from the outside, whIla
two ilIenea were Playing upon tne roof rom the
rapidly and quietly had the 1remen worked that the
laiies did not realize their presence nntl the water
began first to tricklc and then rush through th3
A HEAVY AND ccProus SHOWER.
II was really strange sight to witness the ladies'
dodgng anu STOPPING: some putting up their hoods
or pocket handkcroiiefs to keep 81 the wafer.
once con s snaa 's W DS saa
seem as though it was to be so !" while . third o
grumbilng dsagreeaoie Old BOY, evidently poll
tcian, muttered IA tile hearing OF reporter II boz
leve 1t is a Judgment upon these Puritanical "a,
natcs.n
permit Of any speaking Rli. Charles came forward
on the platform and said:-"ladies ana gentlemen,
- THIS UNFORESEEN DISASTER
we shall not now have the pleasure OF hearing ths
lecture to which W. rave al looked forward with so
much pleasure; consequently that pleasure must be
deferrcd.n
mo, no,n shonred two or three dozen voices, ITO
night, to-nightW
However, alter some further del!beration with his
ancient colleagues, the same gentleman ANNOUNCED
that after all they would be disappointed, as Mr.
Emerson had consented 10 deliver his Grafton On
Friday evening next.
AS Association Hall Ia built up principally with
wood there is no doubt but for the prompt attend
ance Oh the fire brigade the building would have
soon been in flames, and the most disastrous con-
sequences might have followed. The hre was origt
mated in consequence OF the bursting OF gas Pipe
near the roof, over the west gallery.
The Grafton VIII be- delivered on Friday evening NJ
Steinway Hall, when no tickets OF admission VIII be
required.