The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-03-27

we owned upon earth being licked up
by the greedy tongue of the fame,
swallowed in clouds of smoke. Meta
and could see our bedroom closet and
the scanty stock Of clothing there. and
count the dearly -purohas articles as
they were consumed.
My poor black alpaca" Meta said
watching the lurid trimming creeping
up the skirt. We might have snatched
that. 1t hangs on the door"
"See my land-box topping over"
said. "fhe bonnet will have fame
coiored feathers in two minutes"
Mother was too much crushed to
share in our grim jest:ng. and Freddie
was trembling with excitement and
terror.
The fremen did their duty bravely.
bat were too late Ia save anything. aud
dawn found us homeless. with nothing
left Of our house bat blackened walls
and a tall chimney. clearly defined
against the rosy sky OF q June sun
rise.
Then-I shall love him oil my life
for that-as we stood utterly desolate
and destitute, Brent Ellis. who had
worked like giant at the fire-engines,
came. all blackened and streaming with
sweat. and said, Marry me. Meta. this
hour, so that | may have . right to
shelter all Of you. ! have a little for
tune of my own my father carnot
touch, and it will keep US from want,
If no more"
But Meta only thanked him gently.
and clung more closely to our mother
We began to realize the scantiness Of
our raiment in the daylight. and were
glad TO accept the offer of neighbor
for temporary shelter. Others came
forward, aud We had soon an incongru-
Gus assortment Of cast-of clothes at our
disposal, and srrayed ourselves as we
best could. presenting a ludicrous ap-
perrance epough. if any Of us could
have raised spirits enough to laugh.
But we were not exactly hilarious.
Utter and entire destitution seemed to
have fallen upon us At last. after our
long fight with that traditional wolf
who had prowled SD near our doors tor
the last five years. We salted our cups
Of charity. offered coffee with our tears.
and were blind to the charms Of hot
cakes Hospitality pressed upon us.
Neighbors flocked in to offer advice
aud consolation, and we were touched
by most generous offers OF home and
food from several, until we could "look
up home."
Where What could we look for.
Our only hope lay in ashes, our sole po-
sessions were entirely consumed!
For three days We were numbsd by
despairing sorrow. I'VE" means the
three women, for Freddie seemed to
look upon the whole business rs pleas
urable change in the monotony Of his
existence. He had not been so we'll fed
indeed l may say we'll stuHed-in
five years; tor all the neighbors called
him in. whenever he passed. to offer
tid-bits. He had an entire suit of
clothes that were out grown by one Of
the richer boys. and. fitting Freddie,
clothed him better than he had been
clothed since his father died, and, best
of all, he took holiday. nobody having
sufficiently recovered their wits to send
him TO school.
As seon AS the ruins Of our home
were cold enough to admit Of visiting,
parties Of boys began to dig in the
ashes for half burned property. and
Freddie narrowed our sensitive feelings
fifty times q day by rushing in with
buttons. SCRAPS Of metal and ruined
treasures Of every description.
Meta and summoned up sufficient
energy on the third day to visit my EN-
ployer, who agreed to take my sister
for short time as saleswoman. We
somewb encouraged. to lind Brent had
zen there. and fully enlisted mamma
on his side.
While she repeated her arguments.
aud Meta listened with quiet smile Of
happiness at her lovers constancy. Fred
die burst in.
Come quick" he cried. "Ws've
found b,g iron box under the chin.
ney.place. in . hollow, bricked oil
arcun nd. which had evidently had an
opening we had never seen. 1t was
large aud heavy. requiring the united
forces of the family to pull it from its
resting place aud carry it to the barn.
where we put it down on the fiocr.
There WAS no key. but a strong lock
and after due deliberstion We sent for
Il hstchet. and by dint Of much perse-
yerancc and strength burst it open.
Within--as BY that time we half e1-
% tod we found Uncle Gordon's heard
ed treasures. Bonds to the amount OF
flo, 600. fiao in gold. case Of uncut
gems. not very valuable. . psckage Of
private letters. an o!d-fsshioned watch
and chain. and . miniature portrait Of .
lady, opening out field for our specu-
latiou rs % some romance of the past
we had never suspected in our uncis's
life.
There was no one To dispute our
mothers claim To the property. oil was
safely deposited in the bank fore suu-
set, and our trout bles med at last to
lie over
John Ellis, whom hate most cor
daily. -asd shall while i live. called
upon my mamma in few days, and
most gracefully withdrew bis opposi-
,ion ,n his sons marriage. We took
h,. coniescensiou for exactly wha, il
WAS worth. bat were mare than happy
a, the thought Of rewarding Brent's
faithful love.
- Our new house. built upon the sit. OF
the oil one, is bat rnomy two story
cottage, bu, homelixe and cozy. and our
house warming was the wedding of