The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-04-14

SCT1CkeQ CEOWU Ou tuot1O"tI UcChs
But the pilot house was directly in the
guard was beginning to surround me, SINCE
ing my hair and eyebrows.
Suddenly there was a murmur among the
people below and the next instant light
form flew up the ladder leading to the lit
tie deck by the pilot house, and before
could say. word, my precious Mollie had
thrown open the door, and closing 1t again
stood by my side.
"Mollie, Mollie!" cried "For heavens
sake go back, 60 back! Don't you see how
the flames are creeping towards us here?
Go, go my dearest, my own true wife!
Don't unman me by making me fear for
you. Go down where can feel that You
can have chance for safety"
Bob Thorne!" she exclaimed, with her
eyes looking straight into mine, Am your
wife?"
"surely, surely. thank God!" I muttered.
"Bst go, go!'
My post is here, just much as yours
is" she answered firmly. Il will stay here,
Bob, and if you die, I will die, too We
viii make our wedding trip together, dear
husband, even if it be in the next world.
Keep to your duty, ana never mind me.
Bob. There is hope. for us yet, and if il
comes to the worst, why"-and grave,
sweet smile crept round her lips-"we are
still together, dear love-"
saw it was no use to urge her any more,
and besides something sweIled in nay throat
SO that I could not utter word, SO Just
gripDed the wheel hard and looked right
ahead. though everything looked very dim
just then, and my devoted darling stood
calmly at my side, watching the flames that
were. creeping closer and closer upon us,
leaping round the pilot house like hungry
demons impatient for their prey.
"Thorne," shouted the captain, "come
down. Lower her and yourself over the
there any longer. We are very near the
shore now, and the rest we'll take our chan
ces on"
It was an awful temptation. knew that
did follow the captains advice, both Nj.
lie and would be safe, for was good
swimmer, and should not the boat rea h
the shore I could save her and myself, but
then if did this, would ! not deliberately
expose everyone of the 800 souls on board
to destruction? True, the boat might keep
in her course during the short space re-
naming to be passed merely from the i'm
not-and then?
"Stick to your post, Bob" she said.
''No, sir" shouted back. "Ishall stick
TO my post; I shall stay here till run her
clear on the shore or die first!"
my brave Bob--my noble Bob!' MUIR
INJURED Mollie.
But alas for my devoted Mollie, alas TO
me! Not the pilot house only but the entire
deck around it was surrounded by flames.
It was too late to lower ourselves to the
deck below. The railing was all ablaze.
Ny arms, released from their guardian
ship over the wheel, clasped Mollie close to
my heart; but my eyes and brain were busy
seeking for some mode of escape from
death that seemed each instant more Ger
tain.
All at once my eyes rested on the paddle
box. It had not taken fire yet; the flying
spray had saved it. had only to dash
across the fame swept deck and fling open
a little door on it's side, which afforded ready
access to the wheel, to lower my prec-
loLo charge to the water beneath with safe
ty. No sooner thought of than done.
take my hand Mollie," said, " and
run with me We shall be saved after all.
Wrap your shawl across your mouth. Now,
noW-run!'
Leaping down on the deck we sped hand
in hand, to the paddle box. dashed open
the little door and pushed Mollie inside,
passing in myself, and drew the door close
again, shutting out the eager flames whose
angry roar pursued us as we dropped gent
~ down into the shallow water and crept
beneath 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 heaven inspired thought of the Wheel
house. Now that the danger was over, poor
little Mollie tainted; and no wonder. But
she soon came out all right; and as the
people began to find out that tn" brave
little GIRL" as they called her, was only
bride Of few hours, and that we were on
our wedding trip, there was regular ova-
ton, followed up by nine deafening cheers.
The island upon which the Mobilia had
been beached was low, sandy and unin-
habited, altogether not an inviting place for
300 people without a particle of shelter to
pass half day upon, yet even in this plight
there were q few grumblers in our midst.
There was no room in our hearts for any
feeling but that of thankfulness for our
preservation from fearful death, ana after
the peril of the last hour or two it seemed a
ing Of the relief boats that we knew were
sure to arrive before many hours went past.
Though some miles from any large city,
we knew that the, burning steamer must
have been seen from the farm houses scat
tered along the river bank, and that FROM
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 be-
fore we found ourselves safely at home and
our adventurous wedding trip at an end.
But the results were not ended by any
means. The terrible nervous strain I had
endured, combined with the severe burns
on my face and hands, threw me PROSTATE
on a bed of sickness.
When I was able to report for duty again,
two weeks later. I learned that noble gift
fro u tho MObilia's grateful passengers-nO