South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-10-22
Romney, Hampshire County, West Va, October o. 1875

n
gain!'' 49,
Bertha laughed-poor girl and to-
gether they crossed the street and en-
tered the. building, which was rapidly
filing. An ushcr--comne IL f;aa in white
kids. white tie and baton hole bouquet
who knew Bertha. motioned them to
conspicuous seats. All about them were
familiar faces. Bertha bowed to host
OF acquaintances, while the jolly old cap
tain eyed her with triumphant pride.
Mr.. and Mrs, Brevoort, with their SON
tn-law and dauehter-Lord. and Lady
Murray-sat in front of them.
The audience was a large and fashiona-
bic one. The platform was occupied by
gentlemen of some distinction. In their
midst sat the young orator of the day.
Bertha gazed on the noble and beloved
features with mingled joy and pain
She scarcely caught word of several
brief addresses, nor gave the attention
she ought to the Rev. DIR. Clarke's pray
err; nor followed the reading of the glo.
rious Declaration OF independence, as
interpreted in husky voice by a POM
pous individual. General Tremaine, so
intent was she upon her own thoughts.
When August Brevoort arose there
was murmur of fiattering applause
Every tone Of his exquisite voice fell on
Bertha's ear like softest music: every
sentence of his eloanent address rang its
echo in her heart. His eye singled her
out from the crowd of beauties. She
looked so modest. innocent and sweet,
that loolscr-on would not have wonder.
cl at his preference. Their eyes met,
and she fancied she read in his look
Of reprv.cl that puzzled and bewildercd
her. Fiattering applause greeted the
close Of the address. .,
The day was very warm, and but o
faint breeze stole in at the open win
dows. There was 4 cessation Of tanning
and rustic Of uneasincss rs the Rev.
Mr.. Smith began long prayer. A sigh
of relief greeted its conclusion. Then
all arose to sing The Star Spanglel
Banner" Suddenly, ere the singing had
commenced, there was heart, n low rum
bling SQUAD, growing every moment
louder, that blanched every cheek and
sent horror 10 every heart. Amidst
shrieks of dismay and apprehension the
end Of the great gallery nearest the plat
form fell with terrific crash.
The heap OF debris coming with such
| fearful momentum tore through the frail
flooring of the platform, and rushed
Numbering into tho cellar below, where
ii fell with n sickening, thud. Alas for
those who had stood on that fatal spot !.
Suddenly NIL was panic and dismay
People rushed wildly for the door, and
were tramp!ed and crushed in their fran
tic efforts to escape from the building.
Mrs. Brcvoort is trying to make her
way to the PLATFORM" cried Captain
Howard. What madness to press A.
gainst the crowd! She'll be crushed to
death. Now see that man! Heavens |,
what brutes terror makes of humanity +.
Stay still in your place, Bertha, until
return for YOU
Captain Howard sprang ont into the
struggling crowd to rescue Mrs. Bre-
WORT, and none too soon, for she was al
ready borne down, and in another mo-
ment would have been beneath the feet
of the crowd. II took all the Hcrculean
strength of the gallant old captain TO
{ lift her up. and she moanea painfully,
and murmurcd with white lips:
Ny shoulder was stepped Oh. feel
faint
Bertha stood gazing like one dazcl az
the awful scene on the platform. Back of
| the yawning chasm, from ont the blind
ing, choking dust. she could see those
who had been spared aliyc. lie was not
of them. Already men were at work
clearing the debris and digging out the
wounded. and. alas Bertha thought
with shudder, the dead also.
She longcd to rush forward, but her
trembling knees gave way, All she sank
into seat. So her father found her
and lei her h)mc. He hal left Ms.
BreevoOrt not seriously injured, but wild
with anxiety as TO the fate OF her son.
The brave old captain returned to the
scenes where lie could he OF service. and
T. Bertha flung herself on the lounge. and
prayed with passionate tears and plead
ings. Sue heard the trapping Of feet,
and men entered carrying n stretcher.
y our father sent us here. Miss Der.
tha," explains the surgeon. DIR. Ambrose.
1T is General Trcuiainc, fatally Injured.
7 greatly fear"
Bertha led the way TO her fathers
room, and moved about to do what the
surgeon required. Again was she doom.
eu 10 near the ghastly tread OF measur-
Ell steps. and again men entered her
presence carrying shutter. As in a
dream she heard:
Young lirevoort. Miss Bertha"
40 my God" she moaued, with Ii.
yid lips.
II avn not dead. Bertha" came from
the shutter. do not be alarmed"
"IIc has tainted" said the doctor
There must be no talking and no ex.
citcmcut."
Bertha motioned them % her own
snowy little room. Ia the course orthc
afternoon the little house became like n
hospital. Bertha was kept busy, only
once ortwice finding opportunity TO steal
into her own room, carefully shaded.
where lay her lover. his wounds dressed.
q CHASTITY baudage across his brow.
moaning in q sleep produced by opiates.