The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-05-25
LAMBERTvILLE. n. J.. WEDNESDAY. MAY a5. 1881.

answer for the lives of any Of you. The
steward will provide every one Of you with
| life preservers, but there is no reason for any
person to go overboard--not yet awhile, at
any rate, unless suieids is desired. Keep
quiet, say. Pilot, head her straight for the
land, half mile ahead.' We were at least
twice that distance from the main land on
either shore. Engineer, put on all steam
crowd her onl We will run race with the
foul fiend who has boarded the Mobilia."
| There was an instant's pause, and then,
with groan and surge, with the timbers
creaking and straining, and the windows rat
Ting, and as though in mortal terror, the
Mobilia gathered herself up to run her last
race.
| Each passing moment the flames crept on
and on, never pausing in their terrible march
Fortunately they leaped forward rather than
downward, SO there was but yet as little dan
ger 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 surround me, smuggling
my hair and eyebrows.
Suddenly there was amurmur 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 1t again, stood at
my side.
"Mollie, Mollie l cried, "for Heavens
sake go back Don't you see how the flames
are creeping towards us hereP Go, go, my
dearest, my own true wifel Don't unman
me by making me fear for you. Go down
where can feel that you have chance Of
safety"
'Rob Thorne ~ she exclaimed, with her
eyes looking straight into mine, Gam |
your wife ?v
"surely, surely, thank God |" muttered
"But 60, gol''
my post is here, just as much as yours
isl she answered firmly. 81 will stay here,
Rob, and if you die, will too. We will
make our wedding trip together, my dear hus-
band, even lift be into the next world. Keep
to your duty, and never mind me, Rob- There
is hope for us yet, and IL the worst comes,
why "-and grave, sweet smile crept round
her lips--''we are still together, love-
I saw it was no use to urge her any MORE
and besides, something swelled in my thioat I;
SO I Just gripped tho wheel hard and looked
right ahead. though everything 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 de-
mons impatient for their prey.
"Thorne," shouted the captain, scome
down. Lower her and yourself over the rail.
Wen catch you. You cannot stay there any
longer. We are very near the shore now, aud
the rest well take our chances on"
1t was an awful temptation. knew that
did follow the captains advice both Mollie
and / would be safe, for | was good swim
mer and should the boat not reach the Shore
could save her and myself but then, IL
did this, would not deliberately expose every
one Of the three hundred souls ON board to
destruction ? True, the boat might keep her
course during the short space remaining to be
passed merely from the impetus of her APP
proach, but again she might not--and then
looked at my dear wife inquiriDgly.
"Stick to your post, Rob 70 she said.
mo, STRIP shouted back. ~ shall stick
to my post shall stay here till | run her
clear on the shore or die firstp'
my brave Rob-my noble Robp murmur-
ed Molie.
But alas for my devoted Molie alas for
A.. Al
deck around it was now surrounded by flames.
1t was too late to lower ourselves to the deck
below. The railing was all ablaze. My
arms, released from their guardianship Of the
wheel, clasped Molle close to my heart but
my eyes and brain were busy seeking for some
mode Of escape from death that seemed each
moment more certain.
All at once my eyes rested on the paddle
box. 1t had not yet taken fire the flying
spray had saved It, had only to dash across
the fame-swept deck and fling open little
door in its side, which afforded ready access
to the wheel, to lower my precious charge to
the water beneath. No sooner thought than
done.
sTake my hand, Mollie, said, ''and run
with me. We shall be saved, after all. Wrap
your shawl across your mouth. Now, now
| runp'
Leaping down on the deck, we sped, hand
| in hand to the paddle bog. dashed open
the little door, and, pushing Mollie inside,
passed in myself, and drew the door close
again, shutting out the eager fames whose
angry roar pursued us as we dropped gently
down into the shallow water and crept from
beneath the wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with shout Of
delight and relief, for all had given us up 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
a few hours, and that we were on our wedding
trip, there was regular ovation, followed up
by nine deafeniDg cheers.
The island upon which the Mobil:a had been