The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-05-25
MISCELLANY.
ROBs WEDDING TRIP.


We had grown up together, sweet Molly and
!, our parents being near neighbors. and
which does not always follow-frm friends as
WELL
From the earliest days of my boyhood had
fondness for the water, haunting the palatial
steamboats, that foated on the great Missis-
sippi river ON whose banks nestled the city in
which we dwelt, and at the period to which
am about to refer had just secured posi-
tion as pilot on small freight steamer.
1t was not much of position, to be sure,
nor vas there much of a salary attached to it;
but small as it was, Molle and decided that
we could make il answer for two people.
So, early one bright morning, having OBJ
tanned a days leave of absence, Mollie and |
were married and.stepping into a carriage
had hired for the occasion, we started of, hay
ing decided ON days vacation to celebrated
cave near by this being all the wedding trip
we could allow ourselves.
We had scarcely driven behind our own
street when we were brought to halt. A mes
senger whom recognized as belonging to our
steamboat company, hailed me.
HERES note for you from the superin-
tendent."
Thus it ran !. cam sorry to have to recall
your leave to-day, but you must Immediately
go on board the Mobilia, which is ready to
start up the river The pilot is too i'll to attend
to duty, and you are appointed to take his
place for the prssent-"s
sThere goes our wedding trip all TO
smash" said l, as Molle read the note.
"Why so9' she asked.
"You see must 60 into the pilot house of
the Mobiia."
every well, she replied. " We shall just
go up the river instead of the cave. Drive on
Rob, let us go down to the river in state"
"Bu. You cannot go into the pilot house
with me, little goose"
"0f course not but can't sit on the deck
outsider" laughed Mollie land we can cast
languishing chances at each other"
And SO 1t came to pass that took posses
sion of the Mobilia's pilot house, my heart
glowing with love and pride with love, for
there just below me, on the little forward deck
sat my sweet bride with pride, because the
Mobila was one of the finest of the beautiful
floating palaces of the Mississippi, and to
pilot such one had for years been the height
of my ambition.
The steamer was fitted up with double
cabin, one above the other the upper one
opening upon small deck, reaching out
towards the bow, near the centre, of which,
on raised platform, was placed the pilot
house. The deck was always occupied by
passengers, and this morning it was par
ticularly crowded, for the boat was heavily
laden with people takning advantage of this
beautiful weather to make an excursion up
the river.
Some rough fellow jostled against Mollie's
chair after while, and she rose and passed
down into the cabin, "to get drink of
water /" she whispered to me as she passed
but suspect it was to prevent the bursting
of the thunder clouds she saw gathering on
my brow.
saw the insolent fellow made no attempt
to follow my dear one, SO gave myself up to
my own happy thoughts, and looking out ON
the far distant, peaceful shores of the great
river on whose placid bosom we were moving
so swiftly, there rose from my heart glad,
silent hymn of rejoicing.
But suddenly cry broke from the cabin
behind me that effectually changed the cur
rent of my thoughts.
''Fire fireli fire Il | horrible cry at
all times, but most horrible of all when It
rings forth in the midst Of gay, uususpiciouS
hundreds, floating in fancied security in the
midst Of the waters.
An instant's awe-struck silence succeeded
the awful cry, and then three hundred voices
of men and women united in fearful heart
rending shrieks for help.
ssFire fire / ! fire lr'
Aye there was no mistake about 1t, nor
false alarm. No one could tell how 1t COM
menced, but there it was, creeping along the
roof OF the upper cabin, with the deadly
flames greedily tapping up every scrap Of
awning and curtain they could find upon their
way, ever and anon darling long tongues Of
flames down to the floor to clasp the light
chairs and tables and settees 10 their fiery en-
brace.
AS well seek with sieve to scoop up the
waters of the great river on which the Mobilia
fioated, as to try to subdue the roaring, de-
youring enemy that had seized upon the ILL
fated steamer.
The people darted down from the blazing
upper cabin to the forward deck below, where
I as vet the foe had made but little Roadway,
and there our brave captain-who was that