The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-09-06

wrapping around of the flames, and
the palace is shrouded? The fierce
wind, and the mighty roar which no
pen will ever describe goes on, and
human souls die awful deaths-and dy-
ing believe the Last day has come! !
And stones fell on them, and noun
tains of brick, and forever they were
buried from living sight!
Old Nicol was crying along the
street for his friend Rommel. And all
the faces were ghastly-even death
having nothing SO terrible to lis ex-
preston. The residents of the avenue,
and the denizens of the alley, were
tOiling along, side by ride. And they
turned their faces to the north. And
the mighty fire swept nOrthward after
them.
Old Nicol thought him then of his
child Gretchen. He turned again to
the bridge spanning the river, and it
was q mass of flame. Then horrible
fear crept over him, for all around him
lay the burning city. Like wild ami
mails before forest on fire, the people
were fleeing. The old man joined the
rOut.
Out of the glaring light into the
blackest darkness they rushed. And SO
they went shouting, yelling, cursiDg
and swearing, through Lasaiie street
tunnel. The fierce heat swept through
the tunnel-the stone steps were glow
ing.
Two men came forcing their way
out together. And the ghastly glare
of the burning city fell OH their white
faces. And they saw each other.
| "LOuisw
"NicOl "
"You are young and strong, Louis, +"
said old NicOl, feebIy. Run, Louis,
run and save Gretchen. Save her,
Louis-save her for yourself. And tell
her, Louis, of her O!d father-tell
her"
"Stop, stop, Nicoln cried the SOL
der, taking the old man by the arm
and pulling him along, "we'll hasten
together"
| They came to Gretchen's home, and
the girl sat quite still by the window
sat there in her satin dress, and orange
blossoms and bridal veil. And old
Nicol cried out in terror, for even then
he saw that the flames were tapping
down from the roof and burning
cornice and bay window.
He held up his old hands and cried
loudly.
"Come down, Gretchen, girl. Come
down, the house is burning"
But she shook her head, and said:
"No, father, no. 1t is better so.
have prayed that something might
happen, SO that / need not wed ole
Rommel. Miserable girl that l am, II
has happened. I'll even die so, for
love only Louis"
Darling Gretchenw
And q strong arm lifted her to he
feet, and the red glare shOne over he
white face, and She looked up and
cried out gladly:
"Louis, Louis :"
"Down the broad stairs-through TIN
scorching flames and binding smOk
they came, and old NicOl cfaeped tn
soldiers hand, and blessed him that b
had saved his child. Gretchen.
Then away to the nOrthward the.
sped, But the swiftest fight cOul'
scarcely keep ahead of the rushing
flames.
Who can tell the reality of that nigh
and day of horror? When the fire an
smoke were down, hundred thou
. sand homeless souls stood looking owe
the ruins of their hOmes-the dreary
desolate ruins!
Old Nicol wrung his hands, fo
/ nothing was found of his friend Rom
, mel. But Louis and Gretchen wer
, happy, and he told her of the terrib!
battles-Of the weeks in hOspital-th
weary search in his far away Westerl
, city-of the letters he had written an
. which old NicOl had answered, pre-
] tepding that she was wed to another
| Old NicOl was very humble, an
tired to make amends for his wicked
ness And so he said to Louis:
, "I'll give you my girl Gretchen
Well get a license, boy, and she sha
8 be married in her home, even whel
, she was to have married my frien
s Rommel."
0 So few days later the two stood
: together under the blackened walls
], Gretchen's home, and old NicOi wep
. for after all, his heart was heavy th'
n G-etcheu was TDlIis' wife,