The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-04-08

thoughts, and looking out upon the
far distant, peaceful shores of the
great river, over 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 efectually
changed the current Of my thoughts.
"Fire! fire! frel" A horrible cry
at all times, hut most horrible of all
when it rings forth in the midst of
gay, unsuspicious hundreds floating in
fancied security in the midst of the
waters.
An instant's awestruck silence sue
ceeded that awful cry, and then 800
voices of men. women and children
united in fearful, heart-rending shrieks
for help.
'tFire! fire! fre!"
Aye! there was no mistake about
it, nor false alarm. No one could tell
how it had commenced, but there it
was creeping doug the roofof the up
per cabin, with the deadly flames
greedily tapping up every scrap Of
awning and curtain they could find
upon their way, ever and anon darting
tongues of flames down to the floor to
clasp the light chairs and tables and
settees in their fiery embrace.
As well seek with a sieve to scoop
up the water of the great river on
which the Mobilia foated, as 10 try
to subdue the roaring, devouriug en-
emy that had seized upon the i'll fated
steamer.
The people darted down from the
blazing upper cabin to the forward
deck below, where as yet the foe had
made but little headwaY, and there
our brave captein-who was that rara
aris, "ihe right man in the right
place"-succeeded in partially quel-
ling the panic.
keep quiet!" he ordered-''keep
quiet, and remain just where you are,
or l will not answer for the lives of
any Of you! The steward will pro-
vide every one of you with life pre-
servers; but there is no reason for
any person to go overboard-not yet
awhile, at any rate, unless suicide is
desired. Keep quiet, I say! Pilot
head her straight for the land, half q
mile ahead" (We were at least that
distance from the main land on either
shore.) Engineer, put on the steam,
crowd her on! We will run 4 race
with the foul fend who has boarded
the Mobilia."
There was an instant pause, and
then with a groan and surge, with
the tlmbers cracking and straining,
and the windows rattling, as though
in mortal terror, the Mobilia gather
ed herself up as to run her last race.
Each passing moment the flames
crept on and on, never pausing in
their terrible march. Fortunately
they leaped upwardralherth than down
ward, so there was as yet but little
danger to the panic stricken crowd Oh
the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly in
the track of the flames and already
their advance guard was beginning to
surround me, singeing my hair and
eyebrows.
Suddenly there was a murmur
among the people below and the next
instant light form few up the lad
der leading to the little deck by the
pilot house, and before ! could say a
word, my precious Mollie had throw"
open the door, and closing it again,
stood at my side.
"MoIlie, Mollie!" 1 cried. "For
heavens sake, go back, go back
Don't you see how the flames are
creeping toward US here? Go, go,
my dearest, my own true wifel Don't
unman me by making me fear for you
Go down where 1 can fee! that you
have chance for safety"
Bob Thorne," she exclaimed, with
her eyes looking straight into mine,
"Am l your wife,"
"Surely, surely, thank God!" l
muttered. "But go, go!"
"My post is here, just as much as
yours is" she answered firmly. 81
will stay here, Bob, and if you die, l
will die, too. We will make our we'd
ding trip together, my dear husband,
even it be into the next world. Keep
to your duty and never mind me Bob.
There is hope for US yet, and if it
comes to the worst, why"-and
grave, sweet smile crept round her
lips-"we are still together, dear
love-"
I saw it was no use to urge her any
more, and besides something swell
led in my throat, so that could not
utter word, so l just gripped the
wheel hard and looked right ahead.
though everything looked very dim
just then, and rny devoted darling
stood calmly at my side, watching
the flames that we're creeping closer
and closer upon us, leaping round the
| pilot house like hungry demons impa-
t;ent for their prey.
"Thorne," shouted the captain,