The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-09-01

| thorpe. =. shouted the captain, come
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 well
take our chances for"
1t was an awful temptation. ! knew
that did / follow the captains advice
both Molly and would be safe, for was
a good swimmer, and should the boat not
reach tie shore, | could save her and
| myself; but then, if ! did this would /
not deliberately expose every one of the
three hundred souls on board to destruc-
ton? True. the boat might keep her
course during the short space remaining
to be passed, merely from the rapid i'm
petus of her approach but again she
might not-and then?
/ looked 1T my wife nquiringly.
Stick to your post, Rob-" she said
No, sir, shouted back II shall stick
to my post. shall stay here until run
her on shore, Uf die first"
My brave Rob-my noble Rob- mur-
INJURED Molly.
At last, just as the the glowing tongues
af flame began to reach in through the
window, crash and shivcr passed from
stem to stern Of the :oble steamer, and
with sharp quiver and shake, her bow
ran high upon the shelving beach, and in
less time than it takes to tell it, every
man, woman and child sprang from the
heated decks and were saved.
But alas for my devoted Molly alas
for me not the pilot house only, but tbe
cutirc deck around it was now surrounded
by flames. 1t was too late 10 lower our.
selves TO the deck below The railing
was all ablazc
My arms, released from their guardian
shil over the wheel, clasped Molly close
to my heart but my eyes aud brain
were but seeking for some mode Of cscap C
from the death that seemed each instant
more certain.
a II at once my gaze rested on the pad
die box. II had lot taken fire yet; the
flying spray had saved it. had only to
dash across the flame swept deck and
flying open II door in its side, which af-
forded ready access to the wheels, Ia
lower my precious charge to the water
beneath in safety.
No sooner thought Of than done
Take my hand, Molly" said, "and
run with me. We shall be saved, afte,
all. Wrap your shawl over 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 pushing
Molly inside, passed in myself and drew
the door close again. thus shutting ou
the eager flames, whose angry roar pur
sued us, rs We cropped gently down in thu
! shallow water and crept out from behint
the wheel
| Our appearance was hailed with {
shout of delight and relief, for all hat
| given us up us lost, and we must have
been but for the heaven-inspired thought
of the wheel house.
Now that the danger was over, poo
little Molly tainted and no wonder
But she soon came out all right, and n.
the people began to find out that tht
brave little girl, as they called her, wal
really bride of only few hours, ant
that we were on our wedding trip, thcr,
was regular ovation, followed up b,
nine deafenins cheers.
The island upon which the Mobili;
had been bcachcd was low, sandy ant
uninhabitcd, although not an invitint
place for three hundred people, withou
a particle of shelter to pass halfa da,
upon yet, even in this plight, thcr,
1
There was no room in our hearts fo
any feeling but that of thankfulness TO
our preservation from n fearful death
and after the peril of the last hour or two
1t seemed n small matter 10 wait patient
ly for the coming Of the relief boats tha
we knew were s,iEe to arrive before man,
hours N1se paat.
Though some miles from any larc,
| ri hnt .
must have been seen from the farm
houses scattered sparsely along the rive
bans. and that from these, notices Of tn,
disaster would be sent to the neares
town.
And so it was.
Before nighfall several umuii steamboat
arrived, and after that but few hour
elapsed before we found ourselves safel,
at home, and our adventurous wedding
trip at an end.
But its results were not ended by an,
means. The terrible nervous strain
endured, combined with severe burns or
my face and hands, threw me PROSTATE
on bed ofsickness.
When | was able to report for duty
again, two weeks later, learned that {
noble gift from the Mobilia's grateful
passengers-no less sum than two
thousand dollars-lay in the bank
awaiting 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 that line.
Years have gone by since my brave
wife and I had so nearly journeyed oui
of the world On our wedding trip. From
pilot have come to be captain and part
owner Of one of those beautiful floating
palaces that used so to excite MY envy
but never do pass, without sickenine
shudder, tho little island whore the Mo.
bilia ended her last race.