Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-04-27
Fair Won.

in the cozy Office oi the latter, IN tnchtto
civ of c., ono evening in balu'y August.
The subject of this conversation was
beautiful young lady, who hal few days
before made her appearance IN c; nud
whose beauty had made such an impression
mon Young Manson that he repaired 20 his
friend ior information concerning her.
lie learned from the young Doctor thst 10
was acquainted with her; that her name was
BERTHA Aulick that she was a native Of the
same village rs Iareau that she was visiting
friends at the house where Manson had seen
her and better still, that Lareau intended O.
call on her he next evening, and would be
clad 20 have him accompany him at that tim.
After some futher conversation on different
tppics. the friends parted, and Manson returned
10 his hotel. II being late, upon arriving at
the "St Claire be retired, and was soon
dreaming of he beautiful Bertha
lie aid not dream long, however. before he
was awakened by cry vf Fire! Fire (" and
nv burr,ine footsteps Immediately below his
window. Soriugiug up be haStcned % tho
window. and found 10 his horror that the fire
Was exactly in tho direction Of the houcS
whero he bad seen Bertha Aullck.
In few minutes he was on the street, and
running-with all the rapidi.y Of frightened
affection, towards the flames which might nc
any momaui destroy her whom, IN the last
few days. he had learned 70 love.
Upon arriving Nc the house sublime spec
tacle met his gaze great pillows Of flame en-
wrapped the building. breathing as Il were on
solid walls, and converting them INTO ashes
here md there dark masses Of smoke, rose,
hung for moment IN mid-air, and then
dissappearcd, leaving the scene d5ubly bright
by contrast sparks aud burning shingles ilcw
in every direction lighting upon the roofs oi
houses nnd threatening g. spread ruin and
devastation throughout that quarter Of the
city.
At the heigth Of thc excitement, female
form anpearcd alta window IN tho third story,
and imp.orgd by frantic gestures 20 be taken
from the burning house There were Macy
men in that crowd with cool heads and quick
! hands but tho stairs being burned, anG tho
1 drst aud second stories bing IN flames, 1T
pas no wonder that all there gave up Ia iholf
minds the thought of saving that beautiful
/ form from a death by fire, until our bero,
/ araspiuga ladder. rau 10 the noxt house, and
/ stari,d into tho door crying The roof! Tho
chimney fir Gods sake follow me.
! Tho brave hrcmen understood him, aud
several getting hold OF the ladder, they were
/ .o,n ON tbc roof and with tho ladder were
bridging nn alley which ran between The two
bouses. As soon rs this bridge was formed,
/ Manson caught o rope which one Of the Ere
men had brought, aud srringlng on The ladder
was soon upon thc burning root, and within q
| fow feet Of whore The flames were gradually
end rapidly closing round Bertha Aul'cR--
! without waiting tor assistance Manson socuT-
ed tho rope. and began lowering himself iuto
tho large old fashionod chimney. through q
smoke which ,tiied and almost checked him
Bu, hoodless Of smoke he continued 10 descend,
,ill n. last DO reached The floor aad turned 10
fnd Bertha AulIck as bis side.
! He fastened che rope MOund her waist,
orpectlng every moment somo signal or sign
| Of inpa,ence from tho frcmen above; bui
none coming. be began 20 fear that they bad
! deserted him, and knowing that the loss OF a
| moment might hurl himself and the fair gih
beside him into eternity, be spoke few words
| Of announcement 10 her, and began 10 ascend,
with tie intention Of drawing Bertha up after
/ him. II was q long aud weary climb. but
/ though.-no, 80 much Of bis Own danger 90
! NJ tbo, Of Bertha Aulick-ncrycd him, aud In
! n few minutes DO was seen from below 90
emerge slowly from the chimney, aud rest
! AGAINST 1. &c II completely exhausted After
| resting for O very short time against tho
chimney, Manson again sezcd The rope mud by
immense efforts succeeded 10 placing Bertha
by hia side
Heretofore lis exer;iors had been TOO hurried
q notice the cause Of the failure # The hrcmen
/ 10 second bis efforts % secure The safety Of
/ Brrtha Aulick. But be now saw that the
/ ladder bad been broken IN an attempt % oil
I him. and that fireman bad fallen into thc
alley below, iniur!ug himself severely, who
was even then icing carried 20 place ot
safety.
/ HIS hurriei Observations were soon broken
by cry from Bertha. Upon looking around
he found that tie Gre was rapidly running
/ over tie roof. and shat be would not have
Hmo 20 lower bis charge, and then Chamber
down the rope after her. Here was dilemma;
but BIS courage, love aud ingenuity were not
m be bafllci by danger when so near succohs.
Placing the passive girl behind him and clasp
ing her arms round bis waist, be walked g.
he edge of the roof. aud-aftcr obtaining
taht bold upon the rope-stcpped on, ana
bogqp 10 lover himself slowly lie bad bot
zone five rect belore DE erms felt as II they
were being drawn from thcif sockets, bis hands
bled his eyes seemed as il they would start
from lie head b1i siii! be clung With death
Ike tenacity 10 tie rope which must save her
il ANYTHING woud. a, last Bcrtha's feet
struck the ground Jut Manson, overcome by
bio terrific eXert!0us, icll iainin2.
Three weeks after 10 n cry. quiet bedroom,
Mepson awoke 20 his seuses, to hnd the same
sweet face. the same brown eyes bending over
him. which few weeks before bad promptoi
him 10 the Performance Of the nobIest deed oi
q noble lie.
Bertha" said ho. where an J."
The look of mingled joy and gratitude
which came upon her face at ihe sound oi hs
voice ~as too plain 20 bo mistaken by one.
who. ike Manson, lad made study of
woman.
She informed hin, that since the FIRE be bad
suffered from a serious attack of brain fever
.hai the crisis was passed and that tho
Doctor bad ordered them 70 keep him from
taking when he awoke.
Il is needless to trace every stage oi Man
sons improvement, for sc have but one moro
occurrence % relate.
Seated on a rustic seat IN the one little park
of c.. Manson declared 10 Bertha Aulick tho
love which be had entertained for hcr ever
since he had seen her a; window of tie now
burned dwelling and asked her II sho could
not loge him snot from gratitude alone, bui
because of himgeE The only answer be re-
ceived was a gentle " Yes" which spoke moro
fully the feelings Of loving heart than could
have done al the eioqUcnce n cicero
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