Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-10
CONTINUED from first page.

ltit HAIL idHu VII clttftI Slioit.
put on all steam-croyd her on. Ne will
run race with the fend who has boarded
the Mobilia''
There was an instant's pause. and then.
with a groan and surge. with the timbers
creaking and straining. and the windows
rafting, and a though in mortal terror,
the Mobilia gathered herselfup to run her
last race.
Each passing moment the flames crept
on and on. never pausin9 in their terrible
march. Fortunately they leaped upward
rather than downward, 80 that there was
~ yet but little danger to the panic-strck-
en- crowd on the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly IN the
track Of the flames. and already their adj
vance guard was beginning to surround
me. smuggling my hair and eyebrows.
Suddenly there was a nurfnur among
the people below, and that instant light
form flew mp the ladder leading to the lit
tie deck by the pilot house. aud before ]
thrown open the door. and. closing it
again. stood at my side.
.'Mollic. Mollic,'' | cried For
heavens sake 90 back, 90, Don't Won
see how the flames are creeping toward
us HeIeE W. 20. NV ttdftSt- islF Wv u
true wife, Don't unman ne by making
me fear for you. Go down where ! can
feel that YOU have a chance Of safety"
Rob Thorne,' she exclaimed. with her
eyes looking sr,ight mo mine, IAN
your wife -
''SureIy. surely. thank Godr' / NUT:
tered. But 90, GOT
"My post is here. just rs much rs yours
tu - no fir,,,ltr II I'LL
here, Rob, aud if Won die I will lie too
We will make our wedding trip together
my dear husband. even if it be into the
next world. Keep to your duty. aud new
or mind me. Rob. There Is hope for us
yet, and il the worst comes, why and a
grave sweet smile crept round her lips
1--WE are still together
saw it was no use to urge her any
more. and besides. something swells., up
in my throat so Just grippcd the whec
hard and look straight ahead though
everything looked dim just then; my de-
vtt,d dar Ing stood calmly At my side,
watching the flames that were creeping
closer and closer upon us, lcaping around
the pilot house like hungry demons i'm
patient for their prey.
"Thorne." shouted the captain, come
rail. Wen catch YOU. You cannot stay
there any longer. We are very near the
shore now, and the rest wen take our
chances on"
1t was an awful temptation. I knew
that did | follow the captains advice both
Molly and myself wonld he safe. for was
n good swimmer. and should the boat not
reach the shore, ! could save her and my
self; hut 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 remaing to be
passed merely from the impetus of her
approach. and again she might not-and
then ~
looked at my wife inquiringly
"Stick to your post Rob she said
mo. sir" | shouted back II shall
stick omv post shall stay here till
| run clear on the shore or die first, :"
''My brave Rob-mv noble Rob :" muir
INJURED Molle.
But alas for my devoted Molly, alas for
me, Not the pilot house only. but the
entire deck around it was entirely sur
rounded by flames. 1t was to late to low
or ourselves 10 the deck below, The
railing was all ablaze.
My arms. released from the guardian
ship over the wheel. clasped Mollie close
to my heart; but my eyes and my brain
were busy seeking for some mode of es-
cape from death that seemed each in
slant more certain.
All ut once my eyes rested on the pad
die box. 1t hap not taken fire yet the
flying spray had saved it, | had only to
dash across he flame swept deck and fling
open n little door in its side. which at
forded ready access to the wheel. to lower
my precious charge to the water beneath
in safety. No sooner thought than done
Take my hand Mollie." said. land
run with me. We shall be saved after all
Wrap your shawl across Your mouth. Now
run-run,'
Leaping down on deck. we sped. hand
in hand. to the paddle-box. dashed
open the little door. and. pushing Mollie
inside. passed in myself. and drew the
door close again. shutting out the eager
flames. whose angry roar pursued us as
we dropped gently down into the shallow
water. and crept from beneath the wheel.
Our appearance WIS hailed with n shout
OF delight and relict. for all had given Us
up as lost. and We must have been. but
for the hcaven-inspred thought OF the
wheel-housc.
Now that the danger was over, poor
little Mollic tainted: and no wonder. But
she soon came out all right: and rs the
people began to find out that the brave
little girl. rs they called her was really
bride of onlya few hours, and that we
were on our wedding trip. there was n
regular ovation. followed up by nine deaf
cning cheers
The island upon which the Mobilia had
been beached was low. sandy and unin-
habited, altogether not an inviting place
for 500 people. without particle OF shell
ter. to pass halfa day upon: vet. even in
this plight. there We're few grumblers in
onr midst.
There was no room in our hearts for
any feeling but that of thankiuluess tor
our preservation from fearful death and
after the peril of the last hour or two. it
seemed small matter tu wait patiently
tor the coming of the relief boats that we
knew were sure 10 arrive before many
hours Went past.
Though some miles from any large city,
we knew that the burning stermcr must
have been seen from the farm houses seat
tered sparsely along the river bank. and
that IRON these notices of the disaster