Mexico weekly ledger., 1881-06-02
MEXICO, MO-, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1881.

II WAS Ill AWFUL tcLuptdtlou. AucW |
that, did I follow the Captains advice,
both Mollie and I would be safe, for l
was good swimmer, and, should the
boat not reach the shore, could save
her and myself; but then, if I did this,
woald 1 not deliberately expose every
one of the 300 souls on board to destruc-
tion7 looked at my dear wife inquir-
ingly.
"Stick to your post, Rob-" she said.
"No, sir!" shouted back; 81 shall
stick to my post; shall stay here till
run her clear.on the shore, or die first"
"My brave Rob-my noble Rob!"
murmured Mollie.
But alas for my devoted Mollie! alas
for me! Not the pilot-house only, but
the entire deck around it was now sur
rounded by flames. 1t was too late to
lower ourselves to the deck below!
The railing was all ablaze. My arms,
released from the guardianship over the
wheel, clasped Mollie close to my heart;
but my eyes and brain were busy seeking
some mode of escape from death that
seemed each instant more certain.
All at once my eyes rested on the pad
dle-box. 1t had not taken fire yet; the
flying spray had saved it. l had only
to dash across the fame swept deck, and
fling open a little door in its side, which
afforded ready access to the wheels, to
lower my precious charge to the water
beneath in safety. 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. l
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 out from be-
meath the wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with a
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 wheelhouse.
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 the
"brave little girl" as they called her,
was really bride of only few hours,
and that we were on our wedding trip,
there was a regular ovation, followed up
by nine deafening cheers.
Though some miles from any large
city, we knew that the burning steamer
must have been seen from the farmhouses
scattered sparsely along the river bank,
and that from these, notices of the disas-
ter would be sent to the nearest town.
/ And so it was. Before nightfall several
small steamboats, arrived, and, after that,
/ but few hours elapsed before we found
ourselves safely at home, and our adven-
turous wedding trip at an end. But its
results were not ended by any means.
The terrible nervous strain had en-
dured, combined with the severe burns
on my face and hands, threw me pros
trate on bed of sickness.
When l WAS able to report for duty
again, two weeks later, l learned that a
noble gift from the Mobilia's grateful
passengers-no less sum than 5000
lay in the bank awaiting my order
Not only this, but the steamboat com
pany had voted me gold medal and the
appointment Of pilot Of the finest steam
er on their line.
Years have gone by since my brave
wife and had SO nearly journeyed out o
the world on our wedding trip. From
pilot have come to be captain and par
owner of one of those beautiful floatin,
palaces that used so to excite my envy
but never do pass without sickeninl
shudder the little island where the Mo
bilia won the stakes in the last race
race of fire against steam, of life agains
death.