The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-02-21

over the center OF that little group OF
cedars1"
Alas l did remember, and as he
spoke we reached the summit and saw
enough to change our fears to certainty.
Neither spoke, but each turned and
looked at the other with quivering lips
and dilatirg eyes. I was fairly beside
myself, frantic with terror. felt rs II
l must leap from the vehicle, and fly to
their rescue.
Old Whitley seemed to understand that
life or death depended upon his efforts,
and hc exerted himself nobly. On we
flew, down tho hill, dashing through the
stony little brook that crossed the road,
over the tumble.down bridge, whLse
rotten boards ratified and started up
from their places, past the hedgerows,
that looked like one continuous mass OF
flying green; past the little cottages,
with the startled children staring from
tho doors, thinking OF nothing, caring
for nothing, but to rescue our darlings.
I buried my face in my hands, and
rocked to and fro in my seat almost be-
reft OF reason, as l thought of tho scene
which might be awaiting IFS. lmagiua-
tion coniured up all the dreadful tales l
Ind heard or read. to add to my horror.
Once only raised my head, and saw,
or fancied / saw, slender tongues Of
flame clcaving the mass OF smoke, which
had by this time increased feariully in
volume and density.
At last, after what seemed al age, but
was in reality only few minutes, We
reached the bottom OF the lane which
led to our cottage. Tho angle was n
sharp one, and we turned with such
speed as to send the hind wheels Of the
old phaeton spinning high in the air.
How got out never knew. l an suro
I did not wait for the horse to stop.
Rushing to the door, threw myself
against it with such force rs to break
il in. The room was full OF smoke, but
rs the opening door dissipated it lit
tie, I saw that it was empty. Then,
suffocated by the smoke and overpow-
cred by the excitement, | fell fainting
to the floor.
When consciousness returned found
myself in the house of neighbor, with
the children all about me, pretty well
frightened, OF course, but entirely un-
hurt. How the fire originated was
mystery which We never could unrayel.
Grace, sitting with her back to tho
stove, and with her attention entirely
absorbed by tue pictures in the family
Bible, did not see it until Rover, tho
Newfoundland dog, who had been before
quietly dozing by her side, attracted
her notice by his evident uneasiness,
after which he sprang through the win
dow, fortunately taking the whole sash
bodily with him, and, running at full
speed to the nearest house, soon return
ed with some OF its inmates. Grace, in
the meantime, after letting down the
two elder children through the window,
which was only about four feet from the
ground, took the baby from the cradle,
and was preparing to follow VIII; n the
ucighbors arrived. The house being
old, and built, as such houses usually
aro, OF the most combustiLle material1,
notwithstanding MI efforts, Houn became
a blackened, smoking ruin.
Rover aud Old Whitley lived to GOO.
old age, and were ever aiterward held i'll
ailectionate remembrance for their SER
vices on that OCCASION.
One evening, about year afterwards,
as we sat in our new house, built on the
site OF the old one, but more commodi
oas and comfortable in every respect, !
remarked "thRt the ire had benefited
us in atleast one way, for unless the old
house had been nctludly consumed, We
should never have had tho new Que. "
az have felt the benefit OF it in another
way," said my husband, gravely; 1T
has taught mo never to put OIL doing
anything which should be done at ouce
until more convenient season. II
the harness had given way Oh that day,
where mended it so slightly before We
started, though it wonld not have inter.
fered with the safety of the children, it
would have added tenfOld toour anxiety,
because it would have delayedour reach.
ing them. ] male a vow then that ii
we were permitted TO reach home with
out accident, 1 would use my utmost en-
deavors to overcome tie habit Of pro.
crastination, and / think you will allow
that have been pretty successful, so
that, in more than one respect, We have
reason to regard that as memorable
| ride. ;"