The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-02-04

into the presence Of an offended
God He was now hurrying home
to drink his last draught on earth,
the draught which brings the aw-
full sleep whose wakening is in q
eternity. With his hands clench.
ed, and his hat crushed down upon
his forehead. he WAS rushing madly
on. when he heard a sound of
shouting. and the tramp OF gallop
ing horses. He looked up and saw
that the sky above him was red
with q lurid glare and then e
runner passed him with the terri
bic cry Of "Firer' A house was
on fire in one of the streets through
which lie had to pass and with a
strange feeling Of reprieve. he
turned aside-turned aside from
the road to his death-to see the
sight. He elbowed his way through
the crowd. which gave way right
and left at tho pressure Of his mus
cular arms. The dwellers in the
burning house had been somehow
got out, and now stood half naked
it was thought, were safe; but
just as he reached the group there
was q fearful shrek, for it was
found that there was one. the
youngest, missing. The poor
mother sobbed and screamed, and
was only held back by force from
re entering the burning house, and
perishing with her little one. The
father, wringing his hands like one
distracted. offered a thousand
pounds to the firemen, if they would
but rescue his child.
at can't be done, sir" said one
of them, "not if you said hundred
thousand, it couldn't be done.
The floors will fall in FIVE minutes,
and it's certain death TO enter that
house again"
"1'he red flame was already shin
ing through the tirst floor windows,
and through the open door could
be heard the roaring of the fire,
which was fast gaining hold upon
the staircase. A thought flashed
across the young mans mind. His
minutes were numbered ; his life
was worthless it's last act should
be a worthy one, and if he perish
ed in the attempt, he should be
guilty Of one sin the less. With
quick, Eager questions, he ascer-
tanned where the child was. The
fireman guessed his intention, and
held him back.
"Don't go, sir, for Gods sake
it's wasting two lives instead OF
one. We're not towards. sir, bu,
this is certain death. II you at
tempt it, the Lord have mercy or
your soul -
"Amen ~ said the young man
and throwing off the hands tn =
held him back, he rushed into the
t house and up the staircase, which
: creaked and cracked under his feet
t "'The fire was raging On the frs
/ floor, the child was on the foo
;, above. The first floor landing wa
already in flames, but the youn:
e man. with fierce leap,sprang pas
the burning spot, and in anothe
g second was in the room where tn
a child lay. The room was alread.
K filed with smoke, and here an,
q there the flames were dartin
8 through the crevices of the floor
u ing. He could not SEQ the he'd
n stead. but little frightened voice
: sobbing Papa, dear; do come, pa
pa!' guided him to the spot wher
!, the child lay L will take you
1t your papa, dear, he said; don't b
frightened Then, quick a
r thought. he wrapped the little on
k in the blanket, and began to re
# trace his perilous route. Quicl
,r however, ashe had been, the flame
b had gained ground, and scorche
d his feet as he stepped over tn
8. burning floor. He rushed to til
ID window. thinking that by near
st of ladder they might escape th.
t, way; but pouring from the wi,
n dows below him was a sheet
ic flames. The burning staircase W,
re the only road. Tying his hant
as kerchief round his mouth and nos
to to keep out the sufocating smoa
H. he CROPPED his way to the door. I
ne his horror, he heard crash-on
a half Of the staircase was gone.
yh "a deadly terror seized upe
a him; the last hope of escape "
ly lost. The life which few mi
ht utes since had seemed burd'
ed too heavy to bear. suddenly gre
'e, unutterably precious. His ey
wn-o hh:..nded, his throat scorch
nd by the thick black smoke, al
CHI tongues of flame were leaping
ng around him, seeking to devo
by him. With awful distinctness
ed the evil of his life, crowded in
lily that one fearful nome mt, sho
sin ont clear as MONDAY before /
'in eyes Instruction wasted. GO,
'th advice spurned, good resolut;o
TO broken, rose up before him, a
in one and all seemed to drag b
tie down--lost, lost. LOST forever a
we ever. A moment since he had 4
'n- dared to live, now he did not ds
nd to die. That awful horror Il
re him almos: super-human streng
ION Threading his way through t
he flames, which we're now rising
his around him, he crept down as
the as he could, s.d then, graspi
to the broken h-nd-rail, swung hi
he self over, ar 4 dropped, AZ best
the might, depth of some fifte
ent feet, into the hall below. Fe
Use fully burned, he had just strenI