The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-11-26
streets. leaving the house to take care of it,


chants was one mass of smoke and flame
and the high wind was whirlipg the Gin
ders in fiery shower over the neighborin;
bouses. the roofs of which had already com
menced to burn. The streets were fllet
with half clad beings, who had been start
led from their slumbers by the fearful CRY
of fire, and in their panic of fear had rushed
forth, and were now hudd!ed together in
groups, shivering, and wringing their hands
, in helpless terror.
Swifter and swifGer the flames spread,
dancing from house to house in their awful
race, seeming to mock at man ,-deiyirg all
control fer fire, thoRgh usefol servant,
is a terrible master
Soon, however, under the clear com
mands of the Burger meister, lines were
formed along which sped the fire bucket
but the water only seemed to increase the
fury OF the flames. The men worked with
almost superhuman strength, hut for u time
their tremendous effort se emed in vain
Carl was the leading spirit; working in
the most dangerous places himself, with
! great GOODNESS, energy, and success, lie seem
ed omnipresent encouraging here, direct
ing there, helping this one; aud at one time
saving little child that had been forgotten
in one of the burning buildings, at the i'm
minent risk Of his lifs. At last the united
efforts of Carl apd his heroic firemen appear
ed successful; for by blowing up a few
buildings in it's course, the flames were at
last retarded, and finally under. com plete
control. To provide for the sufferers was
| the next thing, and that was easily done, as
every house was open to welcome them; for
great calamity calls iato activity the
sometimes dormant aympathy and love
| that exists, or should exist, in every human
! heart. The tired and weary people now
proceeded to seek shelter from the storm,
which still continued in full force, think
ing they had exhausted the horrors of the
night.
Terrible delu sion!
What is it that bushes the wall of des-
pair, and blanches the faces of fearless m Oh?
What makes them gaze strangely to
where Carl stands, and whisper among
themselves in such terrified toLesf Why
do they draw aside as he comes, black and
grim with the sweat and smoke of his heroic
labor, near TO the whispering groupsq
Alas he, too. soon will know!
Listen what ia the fatal whisper that
shrleks like kpell of death upon his ear,
that makes him stagger llks blind man,
and biapches his cheeks to a ghastly hue.
'Ihe Burger nsei.ter's house is on fire."
Ah, is it u human voice, that despairing
shriek . Yes, it is the concentration Of
woe
80 God my sUife, my child :" This the
wall that rises above the storm, and sinks
in every heart; then with tightening speed,
crowd but, al as too late too save, for al
ready the flames burst from every window.
showiDg the inside to be naught but q fiery
furuace!
With boarse cry he essays to run inside,
but is prevented by the timely efforts of a
venerable priest who holds the frantic man
with an iron force.
My son, what, would you destroy your
selff 1t is certain death to enter there.
Your loved ones are beyond human aid; let
US seek Divine"
"But Agnes my wife-my cbild-must
"They are in the hands of God He alone
can help them, for ace are powerless. Let us
pray"
And the venerable man knelt down on |
the frozen ground, uncovering his silver
locks, while the silence of death reigned |
round, only broken by the sobs of the poor |
father kneeipg by his side; and there,
above the whistliDg wind, arose prayer
80 fervept. earnest, and intensely feeling,
that 1t found an echo in every heart, ard
was carried straightway to the mercy seat,
and answered.
The large, waipscoted chamber of Agnes
Erlstern is dimly lighted by large wax tapers
that stand in silver caEdlesticks upon small
brackets on either eide of large painting
set in massive golden frame, of the Virgin
Mary.
AT the side OF the quantity carved bed.
stead sits Agnes, a look of deepest tender
less on her fair young face, as she watches
'be slumbers of her babe !; one tiny waxen 7
land is c!asped within her own while with /
te other she is softly twirling u little gold :
IN ringlet around ber finger then the fond
mother love ever swelling IN her grateful 9
leart, che bows her head and breathes a
'iss on the brow of her darling, then rails :
ng her eyes, humid with uushed tears, to !
heaven, mnrmurs thanksgiving.
Thus hour after hour passes until at last l
he unbroken stiffness OF the room, togeth-
n with exhausted nature, has its effect
slowly the regal head droops, until it lies
weeping. uncoufned, over the snowy pill
ow, and mipgling with the golden Cnes of >,
or boy; her baby's soft, WHITE cheek rest I
ng against the velvet one of it's mother, g
'hiie through her half-opsned. rose bud
Ps, she breathes deep and regular. Z
around both child ard mother the Angel
Sleep hath folded his wings, aud much
hey have need of it, for it is many a day
nee they felt his cArees; and tired nature
eeds repose.