Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-02-15

man was rapidly mounting through
the dense smoke wrehths-through sing
ing flames, scorched by the intense heat.
The crowd swayed and murmured like
wind swept wave.
He appeared again-I saw my mother
in his arms-I knew she was saved.
There was crash Of the roof, mingled
with ordinations great mist swan be-
fore my eyes-a noise not unlike that of the
roaring flames, was in my ears and lost
the consciousness of surrounding objects.
Is it n ecessary to tell who it was that
thus rescued my mother what emo
tons l experienced upon hearing how
deeply l was indebted TO the man | had
despised 1t is necessary for me to tell
you, however, that there and then he for
ever lost the good looks which you admire
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 to have the consistency of leather.
There, my dear, you have told enough
let me finish it, said u manly voice at
the door.
looked up, man was there, on whose
countenance there were deep traces of the
fiery element, but he didn't look ugly to me
at all Each scar seemed rather badge
of honor.
His wife presented him, and as he gave
me his hand, he said:
One whom my wife esteems 80 highly
cannot be stranger to me, and now since
since she has told you part--for hove
been an earesdropper-let me tell you the
rest
i 1joyfully assented.
Then and there he began, 4 heard the
flames roaring around me, and felt its
fiery breath scorching my cheeks and seem
ing to lap up the very springs of life, but
was conscious only of a great Joy at my
heart, for the mother CT the priced one was
in my arms. l knew when | touched the
ground with my charge, by the acclama-
tions that rent the air, but could only
think that had made her happy. and ia
the bliss of that assurance forgot for the
time my suherings, the world and every
thing.
i lay i'll through several weeks through
days and nights that would have been an.
guished indeed had ! not known whose
care il was that provided everything es-
sential To my cOmfnrt-had not such a
sweet face bent over me, such soft hand
mnistered to my wants. Never in the
proudest days Of my health had | expe-
rienced such exquisite felicity, and never
in my weakness.
No". "Ieu BIC bdt OeSlUe me. WDen
she read to me, when she brou !ht me
fruits and flowers, when she put her hand
in mine and whispered something that
would have repaid sutlerings thousand
times bittcrer than mine
oh, Wiliam!' she cried. blushing to the
very roots of her hair, don't tell how siliy
and foolish ! was
1t was neither Stiffness nor folly l ex
claimed, but the reward Of the greatest
virtue and herosm. Let him go on, am
deeply interested, and long to know all.
i have but little more to tell. but as
grew strong and able to walk about, | OBJ
served that all the mirrors had been re.
moved.
Hitherto, in my deep happiness. had
though. little of the scars which l 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 de.
sist now, but thank God it didn't shock
me in the least.
i took her in my arms and whispered,
that since her beautiful face had become
| mine l saw nn cause Io regret the luss ol
the old one, aud wouldn't for the world,
change back again.
You have seen and loved me now, :,
l said, "whereas you didu't before-yuu
know all my Disagreement, and with il
your manner has changed from sc"rn t.
loving kindness, 50 l have nothing tc
mourn for.
And every day of my life has since Con,
vinCed me more and more that l told the
truth