Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-07
IN CASE OF FIRE.
Courage and Common Sense il
Time of Danger.
Srcyeaee of Mind.-KnOW Just
What 10 DO--PrecautIOns for
Every Sne--The Elmer
geney Drill.

many valuable suggestions, some oil
which we copy. Ifthese suggestions
were observed In case Of FIRE lives
might often be saved which would,
without the presence of mind so nee
essary under circumstances of peril,
almost certainly be lost. The one
thing, above the others, which is most
necessary for saving lite and property
in case OF fire is that which, alasl is
generally wanting-namely, presence
OF mind Aud surely it is never more
needful than in dealing with cases oil
FIRE arising from the cArelessness Of
others.
Presence of mind is greatly depend
ent on knowing what IS best to be
done under conditions Of alarm OF
danger. If the knowledge is acquired,
very moderate amount Of courage
and some common sense will enable
persons to act with discretion aud
consequent safety in very trying cir-
cumstances. reil .h
In reading the details Of an inquest
held on the unfortunate victim of a
fire at a celebrated mansion the other
day, one was foreibly struck with the
entire absence of this presence OF
mind 10 every one concerned. Ii the
FIRE was caused by the upset lamp and
the victim had had the knowledge, the
self possession and quickness to draw
the blankets from her bed in the same
room, to throw them on the fire and
afterward to satursle them with water
the fire would never have spread and
she would not have lost her lite.
| La large private house obtaining
many inmates, two ladies occupied the
bedroom behind the drAwingroom into
which it opened by folding doors. Ora
cold winter morning, two or three
years ago, as they we're dressing they
could hear the noise made by the house.
hold in the adjoining room in rubbing
and polishing the floor with turpentiue
and beesWax, it ceased for some little
time, and one Of the ladies opened q
Leaf of the folding doors to see why it
had:ceased. No one was in tie room
The maid had evidently been called
away in a hurry, and in leaving had
placed her earthen Jar full Of mixed
trrpantine and beeswax on the hob
1t had just caught fire and presented
an awful blaze to the Mortified view O
the beholder. Her exclamation
brought her friend to her side, anC
they both looked aghast at the nov
roaring conhagratlon, which grew
more violent every moment. Thu
danger was too apparent. Supposinl
the jar should burst and the whole O
that molten stuff should be poured GU
into the freI
Draw the bath as near as you car
to the door" said the younger lady
and, as her friend turned back to exc
> cute her behest, she moved quickly t
the fireplace, and with the aid OF a
thick towel. which she fortunately
held 10 her hand, she took up the jal
and carried it, all Aaring as it was
slowly and steadily into tn,
next room, where she quietly
J stood it-upright still-in the cente
of the tin bath, which her friend hac
filled with water. The great DANCE
was over; there still remained th,
dread that the boiling fluid nigh
] overflow upon the surface OF tn,
water, but a heavy wet towel sooI
smotbered the flames aud disposed o
> this fear.
Now. this is exactly one of tn,
accidents which lead to great fires il
: the lack Of presence Of mind in tn
, bebolders,
1t Is sone years ago now that cir
; friend Of mine, only lately married
was standing one hot summers da,
, 10 front Of the mantel piece sealing
letter at lighted candle. She wa
dressed in a thin muslin gown Widel
,, distended by crinolipe, and when, i,
the course Of her sealing, she let fall
r flaming drop Of wax on the front O
3 her dress, 1.-THE flames" as she after
ward described it, "blazed up in he
face in a moment" She retreated
step or two, fell on he
knees. and gathered the thicI
8 hearthrug closely abeut her, thu
smotheripg the Use completely. 1
short time after she was found. by he
Mortified husband lying on the floor il
e the same place, with the hearthru
still wrapped around her-unhurl
but quite insensible.
In many Of the newspaper aot YER
long ago there appeared the story of
, similar accident to a young girl, wit
0 different ending, alasl The inAam
a mshle agent IN this case was lighte
match. Frightened beyond me9sgF;
the unfortunate girl rushed fran til
: room and down long passsge-th
2 flames becoming greater aud fierce
;. every moment-and out into the ope
air through a garden door, in the hop
l of reaching pond which was ia .th
u orchard below. This place of refug
n she managed to reach, but too late
S be of any avail, for she WAS so severed
= bul ~ NNNN hO iAAO was poICtDllUl
when q short time afterward she wa
= taken out of the shallow water.
e In the case of either chimney or
Il room catching FIRE, the FRS thing I
4 be thought Of lis to exoludeall draught
:, for it Is certain that the slightest cur
;: rent Of air will increase the force
9 the Gre. All the doors and window
q should be shutst once and if the chin
;. \ neY be on FIRE, g wet blanket or tabl
2 oOEeF in /" diniDgrOom should be i'm
= mediately fastened to the top Of Ii
y mantelpiece, SO as to exclude a
IS drafts from the opening Of the chin
IS ney and entirely cover the CRATE, shu
ting the trap first, if possible IN
;. will, ia post sasea,, make .Se Gre
8 out Of itself, You may throw ipii
Y the CRATE a few handfuls of salt. Wat,
lshould never be thrown down frol
~ above, as it spOils the carpets aud fu
niture ugp2esasarlly, =