Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-03-28
I~rRANsIENT B1LLs-cAsH.

utter word. At last 1 said, stoadyiug my
voice: II think it must be MorrisOn's.-
Isn't il TO the left of our house Z"
"No," he said, quickly, ss he seiGed his
whip and urged old Whitley to his utmost
speed. "DOn't you remember that when We
are at the top of the hill the smoke from our
chimney rises Just over the centre Of that lie.
tie group of cedsrs Z"
Alasl did remember, aud as he spoke
We reached the summit and saw enough 70
change our fears to certainty. Neither spoke.
but each turned and looked at the other with
quivering lips aud dilatiug eyes. wac fairly
beside myself, frantic with terror. felt %
it ! must leap from the vehicle, and Ay to
their rescue.
Old Whitley seemed to understand that life
or death depended upon his efforts, and he
exerts1 himself uobly. On We few down the
hill, dashiug through the stony little brook
that crossed the road. over tho tumble,dovn
bridge, whose rotten boards ratified and
started up from their places. past tho hedges
rows, that looked like one continuous mass Of
flying green past the little cottages, with
the startled children staring from the doors,
thinking of nothing, caring for nothing, bus
to rescue our darlings. buried my face in
my hands, and rocked to and fro 10 nv seat
almost bereft Of reason, as thought of tho
scene which might be awaiting US. Imagina>
ton conjured up all THE dreadful tales had
heard or read, to add to my horror. Once
only raised my head, and saw, or faucied
saw, slender tongues OF flame cleaving the
mass Of smoke, which had by this time in.
creased fearfully in volume aud density.
At last, after what seemed an age, hut was
in reality only few minutes, VIC reached the
bottom of the lane which led to our cottage.
The angle was sharp one, and We turned
with such speed as to seud the hind wheels Of
the old phae;on spinning high in the air.
How got out never knew. am sure
did not wait tho horse to stop. Rushing 10
the door, threw myself against il with such
force as to break it in. The room was full of
smoke. but as the opening door dissipated il
little, | saw that it was empty. Then, puf.
located by the smoke and overpowered by tho
excitement, fell fainting to the floor.
When consciousness returned found
myself in the house of neighbor, with the
children all about me. pretty we'll frightened,
of course, but entirely unhurt. How the Gro
originated was mystery which We never
could unTavel. Grace, sitting with her back
to the stove, and with her attention entirely
absorbed by the pictures in the family Bible,
did not see it until Rover, the Newfoundland
dog, who had been before quietly doing BY
her side, attracted her notice by his evidenI
uneasiuess, after which he sprang through
tho window, fortunately taking the whole sash
bodily with him, and, running at foil epoed
to the nearest house, soon returned with some
OF its inmates. Grace, 10 the meantime. N.
ter letting down tho two elder chiidrch
thropeh flIe TiDdop' rhinh r1r rrIr about
zt0uf ~.
the cradle. and was pre- pairing to follow whom
the neighbors arrived. The house being old,
aud built, Ss such houses usually are. Of The
most combustible materials, notwithstanding
all efforts, soon became blackGued, smoking
ruin.
Rover and Old Whitley lived to good old
age, and were over afterwnrd held 10 afFso-
tionate remembrance for their services on that
occasion.
One evening, about year afterwards, ~
we sat in our new house, bnilt on the site Of
the old, but more commodious and COM
Portable in every respect, / remarked "that
the FIRE had benefited us in st least one way.
for unless tho old house had been actually
consumed, We should never have had the new
one"
Il have felt the benefit Of it in apothsr
way" said my husband, grAvsly; "iI has
taught me never to put of doing anything
| which should be done al once until more
convenient season. If the harnsss had given
way on that day, whore l mended il 20
slightly before We started, though il would
not have interfsred with tho safety of the
children, it would have added teBfold to our
anxiety, because il would have delayed our
reaching them. ] made n VOW then tbat IL
We were permitted to reach home without &C.
cident, | would use my utmost endeAvors to
overcome the habit of Irocrsstinstiop, and [
think you will allow that have been pretty
successful, so that, in more than one respect,
We have reason to regard that as 'memora,
HI. r;jo