The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-10-01

shere was an instant's pause. and
then, with eroan and surge, with the
timbers crcaking and straining, and the
windows rafting as though in mortal
terror, the Mobilia gathered herself up
TO run her last race.
Each passing moment the flames
crept on and on and on, never pausine
in their terrible march. Fortunately
they leaped upward rather than down
ward, so that there was as yet but little
danger to the panic-stricken crowd on
the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly in
the track of the flames, and already their
advance guard was beginning to sur
round me, singeing my hair and eye
brows.
Suddenly there was murmur among
the people below, and the next instant a
light form flew up the ladder leading to
the little deck by the pilot-house, and
before could say word, my precious
Mollie had thrown open the door, and,
closing it again, stood Mt my side.
Mollie, Molliep / cried, "for
heavens sake go back. go back! Don't
you see how the flames are creeping to-
ward us hereP Go, go. my dearest, nv
own true wifel Don't unman me by
making me fear for you. Go down
where can feel that you have chance
ofsafety."
Rob Thornel" she exclaimed, with
her eyes looking bravely, straight into
mine, am your wifeP"
Surely. surely, thank God"
uttared. But GO, go!"
My post is here, just rs much as
yours is," she answered, firmly. II will
stay here, Rob. and if you die will die,
too. We will make our wedding trip
together, my dear husband, even If it
be into the next world. Keep to your
duty. and never mind me, Rob. There
worst, wby"-and a brave, sweet smile
crept round her lips-"we are still to-
gether. dear love!"
i saw it was OF no use TO urge her any
more, and besides something swelled in
my throat so that / could not utter a
word, so | just gripped the wheel hard
and looked right ahead. though every
thing looked very dim just then, and my
devoted darling stood calmly at my
side, watching the flames, that were
creeping closer and closer upon us, leap
ing around the pilot house like hungry
demons impatient of their prey.
"Thorpe!" shouted the captain,
leone down. Lower her and yourself
over the rail. Well catch you. You
cannot stay there any longer. We are
very near the shore now, and the rest
we'll take our chances for"
1t was an awful temptation. / knew
that, did follow the captains advice,
both Mollie and l would be safe, for
was q good swimmer, and should the
boat not reach the shore l could save
her and myself; but then, if did this,
would | not deliberately expose every
one of the three hundred souls on board
to destruction? True, the boat might
keep to her course during the short
space remaining to be passed, merely
from the rapid impetus of her approach;
but again, she might not-and thenp
l looked at my dear wife, inquiringly-
"No, sir!'' shouted back; "I-shall
stick to my post; / shall stay here till /
run her clear on the shore, or die first"
"My brave Rob-my noble Kobp"
mnrmured Mollie.
At last, just rs the glowing tongues Of
flame began TO reach in through the
But, alas, for my devoted Moll'c! alas,
for me. Not the pilot-house only, but
the entire deck around it, was now sur
rounded by flames. 1t was too late to
lower ourselves to the deck below. The
railing was all ablaze.
My arms, released from their guardian
ship over the wheel, clasped Mollie close
to my heart; but my eyes and brain
were busy seeking for some mode of es-
cape from the death that seemed each
instant more certain.
All at once my gaze rested on the pad
dle-box. 1t had not taken fire yet the
flying spray had saved it. l had only
to dash across the flame-swept deck and
fling open little door in its side, which
afforded ready access to the wheels, to
lower my precious charge to the water
beneath in safety.
No sooner thought of than done.
Take my hand, Mollie," said, "and
run with me. We shall be saved. after
all. Wrap your shawl across your
mouth. Now, now-run"
Leaping down on the deck, we sped,
hand in hand, TO the paddle-box.
dashed open the little door, and, push
ing Mollie inside, passed in myself and
drew the door close again, thus shut
ting out the eager flames, whose angry
roar pursued US, as we dropped gently
down into the shallow water, and crept
out from beneath the wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with
given us up rs lost; and we must have
been but for the heaven. inspired Thought
of the wheel house.
Now that the danger was over, poor
little Mollie tainted; and no wonder.
But she soon came out all right; and as
the people began to find out that the
"brave little girl.' as they called her,
was really bride of only few hours,
and that we were on our wedding grip,
there was regular ovation, followed up
by nine deafening cheers.
The island upon which the Mobilia
had been beached was low, sandy and
uninhabited, altogether not an inviting
place for 300 people, without particle
OF shelter, to pass half a day upon, yet,
even in this plight, there were few
grumblers in our midst.
There was no room in our hearts for
any feeling but that of thankfulness for
our preservation from fearful death,
and after the peril of the last hour or
two, it seemed small matter to wait
patiently for the coming of the relief
boats that we knew were sure to arrive
before many hours were past.
Though some miles from any large
city, we knew that the burning steamer
must have been seen from the farm
houses scattered Sparsely along the
river bank, and that from these notice
of the disaster would be sent to the
nearest town.
And so it was.
Before nightfall several small steam
boats arrived, and after that, but few
SsfS ssssiy 'isted az befQEs @ we found eHrsSlyas
wedding trip at an end.
But its results were not ended by any
means. The terrible nervous strain I
had endured, combined with the severe
burns on my face and hands, threw
me pIostrate on a bed of sickness.
When l was able to report for duty
again, two weeks later, learned that a
noble gift from the Mobilia's grateful
passengers less sum than two
thousand dollars-lay in the bank await
ing my order.
Not only this, but the steamboat COM
pany had voted me gold medal and the
appointment of pilot of the finest
steamer on their line.
Years have gone by since my brave
wife and had so nearly journeyed out
of the world on our wedding trip. From
pilot have come 10 be captain and part
owner of one of those beautiful floating
palaces that used so to excite my envy;
but never do / pass without sickening