The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-02-16

hAOlbluk Will reveal
- --------4 - -.ssr
!-3.''.i STORY.
- - grew. Up togs sneE,. o. :. -
lie end !, our parents being neer
neignoors, and--which does not always
poor, and / suspect that fact had much
to do with their friendship, for oppor-
tunities were always turning up for help
ing enc another.
Our parents being such good friends,
il lcturally resulted that Mollie and /
e. "a their example. We went to
| ri h3gether, read together, and some
III Ancn MOI. Wis IS and'I 20, we
agreed to travel re, -r lives,
and were very happy IL iSc "a. ement.
In fact, no other wnII.2 csTa SEE ed right
or natural, either To Us or c. trents.
From the earliest days of my bOyhOOd
had fondEess for the water, haunting
the palatial steamboats, that hoated on
the great Mississippi River, on whose
banks nestled the city in which we
dwelt, and, at the period to which am
about to refer, I had just secured
position as pilot on q small freight
steamer.
Il was not much Of position, to be
sure, nor was there much of q salary at
tached to it; but, small as it was, Mollie
and decided that we could make it an
swer for two people, neither of them ex-
travagant or unreasonable. So early one
bright morning, having obtained days
leave of absence, Mollie and 1 were mar
ried, and stepping into carriage had
hired for the occasion, We started of,
having decided on days excursion to a
celebrated cave near by, this being all
the wedding trip we could allow our
selves; not that We cared in the least,
however; we were too happy to be dis
turbed by any shortcomings of sum or
purse.
We had scarcely driven beyond our
own street, when we were brought to q
halt. A messenger, whom recognized
as belonging to our steamboat company,
hailed me.
"Here is a note for you from the
Superintendent" Thus it ran:
Gam sorry to have to recall your leave
for to-day, but you must Immediately go
on board the Mobilia, which is ready to
start up the river. The pilot is too i'll
to attend to his duty, and you are ap-
pointed to take his place for the present"
'There goes our wedding trip all to
smashp said I, as Mollie read the order.
"Why so?" she asked.
"YOu see / must go into the pilot
house of the Mobilia."
"Very WELL" she replied. "We will
Just go up the river instead of to the cave.
Drive on, Bob; let Us go down to the
wharf in state.
"But you can't go in the pilot-house
with me, little goose
"Of course not; but can sit on the
deck outside" laughed Mollie, "and We
can cast languishing glances at each
other"
And 80 it came to pass that I took
possession of the Mobilia's pilot-house,
my heart glowing with love and pride;
with love, for there, just below me, on
the little forward deck, sat my sweet
bride; with pride, because the Mobilia
was one of the finest of the beautiful
floating palaces Of the Mississippi, and
to pilot such an one had for years been
the height of my ambition. ] gave my
self up to nay own happy thoughts, and
looking up on the far distant peaceful
shores of the river, over whose placid
bosom we were moving 30 swiftly, there
rose from my heart 8 glad, silent hymn
of rejoicing.
Bat suddenly cry broke forth from
the cabin behind me that effectually
changed the current of my thoughts:
"Firei fireI freP' A horrible cry at
all times, but most horrible of all when
| it rings forth in the midst of gay, un-
suspicious hundreds floating in fsncied
security in the midst of the waters.
AyeI there was no mistake about it,
nor false alarm. No one could tell how
it had commenced, bat there it was
creeping along the roof of the upper
cabin, with the deadly flames greedily
tapping up every scrap of awning and
curtain they could find upon their way,
ever and anon dartiBg long tongues of
fame down to the floor to clasp the
Light chairs and tables and settees in
their fiery embrace.
The people darted down from the
blazing upper cabin to the forward deck
below, where as yet the foe had made
but little Roadway, and there our brave
captain-who was that rara avis "shs
night man in the right place"-succeed-
ed in partially quelling the panic.
"Keep quietP' he eedered-"keep
quiet, and stay just where you are, or
viii not answer for the lives of any Of
youi The steward will provide every
one Of you with life preseTvers; bat
there Is no reason for any person TO 90
Ioverboard; not yet awhile, at any rate,
snIea, suicide Is desired. Keep quiet, I
sAyl Pilot, head her straight for tie
land, half mile ahead" eve were At
/ least twics that distance from the main
i land on either shorel. "EngineeF, pat
on all steam-erOwd her onI We viii
run . race with the foul fend who has
bearded the Eobiiia."
Suddenly there was muEmuT among
he people below, and the next instant .
light form few up the ladder leading 70
the little deck by the piIot-hOuse, and,
bsfOre ] could say . word. my precious
MOllie had thrown open the door, and,
closing it again, stood at my side.
ssNolIie, NolIie" cried. eFor
heavens sake % baek-go back. Don't
you 80 how the flames are creeping to-
ward a. here7 Go, 90, my dearest nay
own tEus wifel Don't unman me by
! making me fear for you CO down
where can feel that you have achancs
Of safety"
j (Consinssed on fourth pege)