The Van Buren press., 1872-02-13


through the dense sr,cke wreaths-
through singing flames, scorchod by the
intensest heat, on he went. 1t was a
moment of intense suspense, the crowd
swayed and murmured like n wind swept
wave lie appeared again, ] saw my
mother in his arms; know that she
was saved. Then there was the crash OF
the falling roof, mingled with wild ex-
clamations; and great mist swan be
fore my eyes, noise not unlike thrt OF
the roaring flames was in my ears, and
| lost the consciousness OF surrounding
objects,
"Is it necessary to tell who it was that
thus rescued my mother? or what emo
tons ! experienced upon hearing how
deeply | was indebted to the man ! had
despised2 1t is necessary, however, for
me to tell you that there and then he for
ever lost tho good looks which you ad'
mire in that portrait The clothes were
burned from his body, and the flesh OF
his face and neck SCARED and scorched
till the skin seemed Of the consistency
OF leather. "
There, there, my dear, said manly
voice at the door, you have told
enough let me finish. p"
| looked up; a man was there, on
whose countenance were deep traces Of
the fiery element, but he didn't look ugly
to me at all Each scar seemed rather
u badge of honor, and the very soul Of
truth and nobleness beaming radiantly
in his eyes, His wife presented him, and
giving Inc his hand, he said
One whom my dear wife esteems SO
much cannot be stranger to me, and
now, since she has.told you part--for i
have been sad eavesdroppcr--let me
tell you the rest
joyfully assented.
Then and there he began, +" | heard
the flames roaring taround me, aud felt
its fiery breath scorching my checks. and
seemed to lap up the very springs oflife,
but was conscious only Of great JOY at
my heart, for the mother of her priced
was in my arms. | knew when touch
ed the ground with my precious charge,
| heard the acclamations that rent the
air, but could only think that had made
her happy, and in the bliss Of that assur.
ancc forgot for the time my own suffer
iags, the world and everything.
II lay i'll through several weeks
through days and nights. ltwould have
bcen.auguish indeed. had not known
whose care it was that had provided ev-
erything essential to my comfort; had
not such pleasant face bent over me,
such sweet voice murmnrcd in my ear,
such soft hand niDistercd to my wants.
Never in the proudest days OF my health
had experienced such exquisite felicity,
never in my. weakness now, when she
sat beside me, when she read to me,
when she brought me fruits and flowers,
when she put her hand In mine, aud
whispered something that would have
repaid suiferngs thousand times Bit
tcrer than mine
"Oh, William, : she cried, blushing
to the very roots Of her hair. don't tell
how silly and foolish ] was. y
1t was neither Stiffness nor folly, :"
| exclaimed, " but the reward Of great
virtue and herosm. Lot him go on; |
am deeply interested.
81 have little more to tell, ''ha rcsum-
ed, "but when grew strong and well
enough to walk about, observed that
all the mirrors had been removed. Ilith
erto. in my deep happiness, ! had thought
little Of the scars. which ] should have
known would deface my features This
incident reminded me of it, and excited
my curiosity. When requested one TO
be brought, she implored me to desist
and finally burst into tears. ! know it
all, now, but, thank God, it didn't shock
me in the least took her in my arms,
and whispered that since her beautiful
face had become mine. saw no cause to
regret the loss of my old one, and
wouldn't for the world change back
again. You have seen and love me now,
! said, whereas you didn't before; you
know all my disdgurements, aud with it
your manner has changed from scorn to
kindness, so have nothing to mourn
for
Every day of life since has convinc
cd me more and more that ] spoke the
truth