Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-08-18
and brave, sweet smile crept around her


| saw it as no use to urge her any more
and besides, something swelled in my throa
so that could not utter word, so jus
gripped the wheel hard and looked righ
ahead, though everything looked very din
just then, and my devoted darling stood calmly
at my side, watching the flames that were
creeping closer upon us, leaping around tht
pilot house like hungry demons impatient fol
their prey.
"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, ano
the rest we'll take our chances for"
It was an awful temptation. l knew that
did follow the captains advice, both Molly
and I would be safe, for was a good swim
mer, and should the boat not reach the shore
I could save her and myself but then, if
did this, would I not deliberately expose ev:
cry 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 rapid impetus
of her approach; but again she might not
and then?
I looked at my wife ipquiringly.
"Stick to your post, Rob-" she said.
"No, sir" ]. shouted back II shall stick
to my post. I shall stay here until I run her
on the shore, or die first"
"My brave Rob-my noble Rob" murmur,
ed Molly.
At last, just as the glowing tongues Of flame
began to reach in through the window, a
crash and shiver passed from stem to stern
of the noble 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 the entire
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
over the wheel, clasped Molly close to my
heart but my eyes and brain were busy seek
ing for some mode of escape from the death
that seemed each instant more certain.
All at once my gaze rested on the paddle
box. 1t had not taken fire yet; the flying
spray had saved it. I had only to dash
across the hame.swept deck and fling open a
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, Molly" I said, "and run
with me. We shall be saved, after all. Wrap
your shawl over your mouth. Now, now
run"
Leaping down on the deck, we sped, hand
in hand, to the paddle box. l dashed open
the little door, and pushing Molly inside,
passed in myself and drew the door close
again, thus shutting out the eager flames,
whose angry roar pursued US, as we dropped
gently down into the shallow water and crept
out from behind the wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with shout Of
delight and relief, for all had given US up as
lost, and we must have been but for the heav-
thought of the wheel house.
Now that the danger was over, poor little
Molly 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 onl ly
few hours, and that we were on our wedding
trip, there was regular ovation, followed
up by nine deafening cheers.
The island upon which the Mobilia had
been beached was low, sandy and uninhabit-
ed, altogether not an inviting place for three
hundred people, without particle of shelter,
to pass half 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 pre-
servation from fearful death, and after the
peril of the last hour or two, it seemed a small
matter to wait patiently for the coming of
The relief boats that we knew we're 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
,parsely along the river bank, and that
rom these, notices of the disaster would be
sent to the nearest town.
And so it was.
Before nightfall several small steamboats,
arrived, and after that but few hours
elapsed before we found ourselves safely at
nome, and our adventurous wedding trip at
an end.
But its results were not ended by any
means. The terrible nervous strain endured,
with severe burns on my face and
hands, threw me PROSTATE on bed Of sick
ness.
When I was able to report for duty again,
two weeks later, learned that noble gift
from the Mobilia's grateful passengers
less sum than two thousand dollars-lay in
the bank awaiting my order.
Not only this, but the steamboat company
had voted me gold medal and the appoint
ment of pilot of the finest steamer on that
line.
Years have gone by since my brave wife
and I had so nearly journeyed out 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 sckening shudder, the little
island where the Mobilia ended her last race.
IDa..1s.1.l.za..znlA IDa..1s.1.l.za..znlA
A KISS THAT DIDN'T PAY.-The Toledo
Record gets off good one in regard to a
citizen Of Iowa, whose wife, in his absence,