The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-08-05
last heard more.

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One Of the men put his head close
down and cried: "Are any of you
ep' and some one groaned, "Yes."
Black with smoke, scorched by the
cinders we handled, we went at il again,
and at last came TO spot where the
beams had made kind of penthouse.
There jammed, together and half suffo-
Gated, but alive, were four men. And
such yell went up as mortal ears never
heard before. -Four saved four saved
And we drew them out and gave them
TO doctors. Then there was another
shout not so loud, for we had come to
one insensible, jammed between two
logs. He breathed though as soon rs
we brought him to air.
1t was a time no one ever forgot.
Judge what it was to me.
AT last all were out but Mr.. James,
and somebody cried out that they could
see him under some beams. 1t was
dangerous place to get at, but could
not stop for that. 1 forced myself into
that narrow aperture, and set to work.
/ called, but there was no answer. At
last came to him, lying with great
beam across his chest. His beautiful
golden hair and beard were singed and
scorched, and one of his hands was
blistered. l touched him and scream.
ed in his ears, but they were deaf to
me. l 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 unfastened his vest.
SIS he dead ?' l asked, and l meant,
as l live, if the answer was yes, to tell
the crowd before me what had done,
knowing well that if I did, no law
could save me.
There was no answer for moment,
and ! spoke again: els he dead ?"
And God bless the dear, white-headed
old man, who ansewred 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
standing before me. couldn't believe
God had been so good to me.
Then that old white-haired doctor
mounted on pile of burned logs, and
lifted his hat, and there were three
such cheers as were never heard before,
and dozen boys sped into Baldwin to
ring the bells; and women came crying
to thank me for helping to save their
dear ones-so that for shame went
and hid myself in Baldwin's woods,
and cried, with my head hidden in my
arms, on the old log where the violets
lay.
Then somebody came softly up the
path and sat beside me, and bent over
me, and took me, singed and smoke
stained as l was, in two white arms
and only one of all the world could do
that-and, without looking, knew it
was Annie.
"My noble brave darling" she said
"my own dear that am so proud ofr'
and sobbed and kissed me.
"They are so happy, too," she said;
"and Mr.. James is only scorched and
burned very little, and old Mr.. Red
ford is reconciled to old Mr.. Williams,
and they will be married after all.
They are so fond of each other, Seth
as fond as you and l."
And then 1 stood up and put her
gently from me, and made atonement
for my sin by an awful sacrifice. told
her the truth what was, and what
had done, and why, and waited to hear
her renounce me. She did not do it.
She was shocked and grieved, but she
pitied me, and l dare now take her in
nay srms and call her mine again.
b elieve that all my life there had been
n evil spirit in my breast, and that he
left forever at that moment
1t was some time before the factory
was rebuilt, and some had been injured,
and many We're out of work. knew
my duty. To those in need came little
gifts of money every week, with no
clue to the donor, until my savings
were all gone.
So we did not buy the three roomed
cottage, and perhaps never shall but
penniless as l was, she married me,
and we are happy.
Mr.. James and Miss Redford are mar
ried, too and when we sit in church,
she smiles across the pew to that little
wife of mine, and think, with pang
of terror, even yet, from what Gods
mercy saved me.