The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-06-30
PA. FRIDAY. JUNE 80, 1882.

one of whom-a female-betrayed the faC
of her restoration by loudly demanding he
child.
my child my child Where is my littl
| Edward % she demanded, in tones of thrill
ing anguish. "Tell me, for the love of hea
ven, if any Of you have seen my child ?''
''Merciful Heaven what do hear 7-th
voice of my benefactress ?'' exclaimed
! young man, who sat on the front part, sup
| porting the form of young woman, VIII
had evidently received fearful injuries prio
| to her rescue from the burning wreck 81
this Mrs. Clifford ?" he asked, gently relin
gushing his insensible burden.
cit is" responded the lady, Instantly ad
| ding, "Whoever you are you evidently know
me- and must know something of my darling
Oh, have you seen him 2 Is he safe d? Tel
me, conjure you.''
"Would to Heaven 1 could % exclaimed
the man, passionately. "Bin Hunter would
be only too happy to prove his gratitude tc
the benefactress of his wife,"
"Oh, Hunter, my child, my Edward, and
my husband"
'fNay, madame, Captain Clifford must be
safe" rejoined the man, hastily. "I saw
him myself actively employed in removing
the insensible from below, and he may have
saved the child"
MAY have" she repeated, ''but Won not
certain, Hunter? Oh. you are not certain,
and this suspense is worse than death %
And the poor. bereaved mother proaned in
her anguish, and clasping her hands over her
eyes sat rocking her body to and fro, and ut
tering that deep, convulsive sob which be-
trays so fully breaking heart.
"a nd she interceded so elouuentIv in our
behalf that my Susan might accompany me %
murmured the soldier in an audible tone, as
he resumed his seat and his former burden
on the paIlid brow of which he pressed a
fond kiss, adding, "My poor wife Would to
Heaven You had remained with my parents !;
You would have escaped this suffering, and
perhaps death % And the gallant fellow
bowed his head, concealing his face in his
hands, probably to hide the tears which
were an honor to his manhood, since called
forth by the suffering and probable fate of
one who had forsaken friends and home to
follow his uncertain fortunes.
A minute later we rounded to under the
counter of and received a line from the Del
mar transport, alongside of and into which
one boat was already discharging her freight
of rescued.
'Ship ahoy Can you accommodate twen-
ty more?' I demanded, as my bowline made
fast to him.
GAY, my lad. a hundred - was the trum-
peted reply. "Haul up, haul up at once and
clear the track for others %
We obeyed, gaining, with difficulty, a DO
sition beneath the gangway, when the de-
barkation of our freight commenced, the in
sensible wife of the young soldier being the
first attached to the whip by which the help
less were taken on board. Mrs Clifford
was the second, the soldier having devoted
himself to her as soon as he beheld his wife
in safety, while 1, seizing upon the first op-
portunity, bounded into the Delmar's main
chains, and gained her deck at the moment
that the bereaved mother was relieved from
the whip, when, recognizing me, she rushed
to my side, and grasping my arm, exclaimed,
"What shall do? How shall discover the
fate of my husband and child ?''
''You must be quiet, madame, I" responded
1 urgently. ''It is impossible to learn any,
thing regarding them Just now, or indeed be-
fore this gale subsidies, when have no doubt
you will find them safe and sound. They
may have reached some other vessel ere this
Indeed, it is more than probable they have
done so, since to my certain knowledge but
few OF the Wellesley's company are lost"
"Bless you r. said she. "May heaven
bless you for your consoling words Yet I
apprehend the worst. Do you think that
they have reached this vessel 2"
Probably, madame, but I will ascertain. -
i replied and. advancing few PAGES with
the trembling mother still clinging to nv
arm, was about to ask if anv ope of the
rescued answered to the name of Captain
Clifford, when the young soldier elbowed his
way through the crowd, exclaiminp, ''ATrs.
Clifford Mrs. Clifford have found him ~
Found whom ?" she demanded, wildly.
Whom have you found p"
Captain Clifford, your hausband, ma'am.
And my child-my Edward ? Speak,
What of him? But lead me to my husband,
he will tell me ALL"
The young SO ldier guided her through the
crowd in silence; while deeply interested in
the meeting about to take place. I followed
to where gentleman in the undress of an
infantry officer lay partially supported bv a
half-naked soldier, his countenance express
ing at once the keenest physical anguish and
a supreme degree of mental happiness.
THANK Heaven you are safe, nv beIov.
ed lucy but where is"
Edward On, Father of Meicies
came to you, my husband, for tidings of our
boy. Can It be that you are as ignorant as
81 never saw him but once after the alarm
Lucy, and then he was in the nurses arms.
She was seeking you; and 1, deeminp him
safe with her-Oh my child, nv child
and disabled and cannot search for him -,
I'm the purses arms p repeated the
young soldier. ''Why, that was Susan
Did you mean" said he ''you saw Master
Edward with my wife, captain ?''
"Ay, Hunter" was the reply. ssWhere is
your wife a? The child must be with her,
''AIas, no, sir. My wife is here. She
she is insensible," and the young soldier
ano as ne spoke he bent over the form had
failed to observe, adding, 81 found her be-
meath PROSTATE spar, by which she had
been strnck down. and, wrenching it aside.
grasped the precious burden and escaped
with it, as you see.''
Then, Lucy, darling, our child is lost 10
murmured the stricken officer, gently draw
ing the crouching form of his wife to his
oreass, where she tainted while the vounp
soldier, bounding to bis feet. exclaimed
mot vet no, no-not yet; not vet know
the spot where Susan lay. The fire has not
reached it yet and Master Edward must be
there If not among the rescued. Who'll 90
nrNh h 49, - l.