The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-03-18
NUMBER 13.
Thrilling Adventure.

One Of our oldest merchants, who r. 80
SON to pass away, and who formerly car
ried on business In Beaver street residing
-as It was tho custom In old timcs-ovcr
his store. tells the following thrilling mar
rstive, which ho occasionally relates with
wonderful efTcot: 'r
"a party had bccn.collcctcd at his house
to give ccldt 10 one of those little family
festivals which brighten the dark. trnco OF
life, and cheer the human heart In every
cline. It was his daughters wedding
day; crowds Of her young acquaintance
circled round her. and rs the father gnzcd
proudly on the face Of the young bride.
he wished as bright prospect might open
for his other children who were gamboling
merrily among crowd. Passing through
tho passage connecting the lower rooms
no met the servant maid, an ignorant
country wcnch. who was carrying alight-
cd tallow candle In her hand without
candlestick. He blamed her for this dirty
conduct, and went into tho kitchen to
make some arrangements with his wifo
about the supper table; the girl shortly
returned with her arms full Of ale bottles.
but without tho candle. Tho merchant
Immediately rccollccted that several bar.
relsof gunpowder had been placed In his
cellar during the day. and that his foreman
had opened one Of tho barrels TO select
sample for a customer. where Is your
candler he inquired In the utmost agita-
ton. I couldn't bring II up with me. for
my hands were full, said the girl. 'Whero
did you leave it? We'll I'd no candle.
stick, 90 ] stuck Il into some black sand
that's there In ono Of tho tubs The mcr-
chant dashed down the cellar steps; tho
passage was long and dark and rs he
gropcd his way on. his knees threatened
TO. give way under him; his breath was
choked, and his flesh seemed suddenly To
become dry and parched. rs II ho already
felt the sudocating blast OF death. AZ tho
extremity of the passage, In the front cell
lar. under the very room where his chill
tircn and friends were reveling In felicity:
he discerned the open powder barrel. mii
almost to the top--the candle stuck lightly
In tho loose gralns, with long. red snuff
of burnt-out wick topping tho small and
gloomy flame. This sight seemed 70
wither all his powers, and the merry laugh
of tho youngsters above struck upon his
heart like the knell OF death. He stood
for some moments, gazing unable to ad-
vance. Tho fiddler commenced lively
liz, and the feet Of the dancers responded
with Increased vivacity; tho floor shook
with their exertions,. and the loose bottles
In the cellar jingled with the motion. lilo
fancicd tho candle was moved, was fall-
ing! With desperate energy he dashed for
ward; but how was he to remove II? Tho
slightest touch would cause tho small.
live coal of wick to fi,ll into tho loose
powder. With 'unequnllcd presence OF
mind he placed q, hand each side OF tho
candle, with tho open palms upward. and
the distendcd fingers pointed toward tho
object Of his care, which, ~ his hnnds
gradually met was secured In the clasp
Ing or locking of his fingers, and safely
removed from the. head Of the barrel.
When he reached the head Of the stairs
the excitement was over; no smiled Mt
the danger hc had conquered; but the ro-
acton was too powerful, and he fell into fits
of violent and dreadful laughter. Ho
was conveyed senselcss 10 bed. and many
weeks elapsed Gro his nerves recovered
sufficient tone to allow him to resume his
habits of every day lifc.-Froni he Neo
York Commercial Adcertiscr.