The Osceola times., 1881-01-22

there, as well rs the bright prospects that
had so suddenly opened before him.
As he hurried along, eager 10 tell her
the good news, and inpatient at every
obstacle in his way, he saw a dense cloud
of smoke in the quarter where he lived.
As he drew nearer he saw a crowd
of people following some ghastly thing
that was being borne past him to the
station.
"What is it?7 hoinquired Of a bystand-
er.
"A woman and child burned to death
in tenament house on Front street.
Front street There was where he
lived and with quickened step and sink
ing heart he pushed on. His worst fears
were realized. The building he had left
few hours before was mass of smoking
ruins, whose numerous tenants were
huddled out upon the sidewalk before
the few things they We're able to snatch
from the flames, but among whom his
eyes sought yainly for those that he most
wished to see
Rushing up to one of the women, he
seized her almost rudely by the arm.
Mrs. Allen, where is my wife,"
Putting down the child she was hold
ing, the woman arose and stared wildly
around.
II haven't seen her. The Lord be good
to us it couldn't be her they took away
so burned and blackened that her own
mother wouldn't know herr
For moment Mr.. Irwin stood motion
less, struggling with the sickening horror
that palsied limb and brain. Then, a,
he remembered the ghastly spectacle he
had met, pushing through the crowd, he
turned his totterng steps in the direction
in which he had seen it borne.
In the shadow of such terrible be-
reavement, how light seemed every other
trial, how black the ingratitude that had
made him so thankful for the rich treas
ure of love that had been his! What
cared he now forthe opportunities thrown
open TO him! How poor and empty
seemed all that he had hoped to do and
win now she was gone whose presence
had made his lowly abode such haven
ofpeace and rest
"Merciful Father. take all else, but
spare my wife and childr was the cry
that went up from his tortured soul, a
the officer in charge turned the key OF
the room where the dead lay.
Upon rude table, their faces charred
and blackened beyond all recognition
were the unfortunate mother and child
awaiting Identification.
ooh! Mary!-ohl my boy!-can this be
your' groaned the wrctchcd man, as he
turned his shuddering gaze upon them.
Here Mr., Irwin felt light touch on
his arm,
"Richardw
Turning he saw his wife, with their
child in her arms, standing just back OF
him.
The revulsion, from the extremes OF
grief and despair to this blessed reality
was too strong, and had it not been for
the officer who was standing by, he would
have fallen to the floor.
1t seems that Mrs. Irwin, who had
barely time to escape with her life, had
taken refuge at a house opposite. She
had seen her husband rush past, on his
way to the station and divining his er-
rand, followed as quickly as possible.
The following day was truly Thanks
giving day" to both; and not only for the
material blessings that surrounded them.
And through all the prosperous years
that followed, years that whitened their
hair and knit their hearts more closely
together, never did Mr.. Irwin omit, ON
that day, to refer to this eventul season
of his life, or fail to render most hearty
thanks to the Giver of all good for this
crowning proof of His goodness, that
they were spared to each other"