Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-10
NO. 50.
Gales ano Skettbes.
TIE PILOTS STORY.

Moille ana l. our parents beng near neigh
hors. and-whch does not always follow
firm friends rs we'll. They were poor.
and | suspect that fact had much to do
with their friendship, for opportunities
were always turning up for helping one
another; and have often noticed that.
when near neighbors are well off and have
no need of actual help. there is very sell
dom any friendship between them there
is more apt to be jealousy and competi-
ton.
Our parents being such good friends.
it naturally resulted that Molie and fol-
lowed their example. We went to school
together. read together. PLAYED together;
and somehow. when Mollie was eighteen
and was twenty we agreed TO travel to-
@ether all our lives. and were very happy
in that arrangements in fact. no other
would have seemed right or natural. eth
or to us or our parents.
From the earliest days of my bovhood
had n fondncsS tor the water. hauntin" the
palatial steamboats, that floatcd on the
great Mississippi River. on whose banks
nestled the city in which we dwelt. and at
the period To which | am about to refer
had Just secured a position as pilot on
small freight steamer.
sure, nor was there much of a salary at
tached tc it; hut. small as it was. Mollic
and decided that we could make il an
swer for two people, neither of them ex-
travagant or unreasonable; besides which
had hopes of better times to come rs |
had received words of commendation
from my employers. and promises of spec
dy promotion.
So, early one bright morning. having
obtained days leave of absence. Mollie
and were married. and stepping into
carriage had hired for the occasion we
started off, having decided on days ex-
cursion to a celebrated cave near bv. this
being all the wedding trip we could al
low ourselves, not that we cared in the
least. however we were too happy to be
in the least disturbed bv nv shortcomings
of sum or purse.
We had scarcely driven beyond our
own street when we were brought to a
halt messenger whom | recognized
as belonging to our steamboat company
hailed me.
Here's a note for you from the super
intcndent."
Thus it ran:
Am sorry to have to recall your leave
for to-day. but You must Immediately go
on board the Mobilia, which is ready to
start up the river. The pilot is TO i'll to
attend to duty, and you are appointed TO
take his place for the. present"
There goes our wedding trip all 10
smash saws rs Mollie read the note
WHY SOP she asked
"Yon see | must 90 into the pilot house
of the Mobilia.'
Very WELL" she replied. 1--WE shall
Just GO up the river instead of TO the cave.
Drive on. Rob; let us go down to the
wharfin State
"But you cant 90 into the pilot-house
with me, little goose"
''Of course not but | can sit on the
deck outside" laughed Mollie and we
can cast langushing glances at each
other
And so il came tn pass that ! took
possession of the Mobilia's pilot house.
nv 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 Mobilia was one
Of the finest of the beautiful floating
palaces of the Mississippi. and to pilot
such a one had for years been the height
of my ambition.
The steamer was fitted up with a double
cabin, one above the other; the upper one
opening upon a small deck. reaching out
towards the bow near the center Of which,
on a 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 heavi-
lv laden with people taking advantage of
this beautiful weather to make an excur-
sion up the river.
Some rough fellow jostled against
Molie's chair after while. and she rose
and passed down into the cabin. '.to get
some water she whispered to me rs she
passed but I suspect it was to prevent the
bursting of the thunder clouds she saw
gathering on my brow.
But suddenlya cry broke from the cabin
behind me that effectually changed the
current Of my thoughts.
| Fire fire , fire. A horrible boy ut all
times, but most horrible of all, when it
rings forth in the midst of gay, unsuspi-
cious hundreds floating in fancied security
in the midst of the waters.
An instants awe-struck silence succeed
ed that awful cry, and then 800 voices Of
men women and children united in fear
ful heart-rending shrieks for help.
Fire. fire fire. ~
Aye. there was no mistake about it, nor
| false alarm. No one could tell how it had
commenced, but there it was creeping
along the root 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 fame down to the
| Il 1or to clasp the light chairs and tables
and settees in their fiery embrace.
As well seek with sieve to scoop up
the waters of the great river on which the
Mobilia floated, as to try to subdue the
roaring devouring enemy that had seized
upon the i'll fated steamer.
The people darted down from the blaz-
ing upper cabin to the forward deck below
where as yet the foe had made but little
headway, and there our brave captain
who was that rara aris 'sthe right man in
the right place''-succeeded in partly
quelling ihe panic.
Keep quiet. he ordered, s'keep quiet,
and stay just where you are. or will not
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 person to go oyerboard-not yet
rCOntinued nm fourth naOe