South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-08-03
New Series Vol. IS-No. 20.

pointed 10 take las place Tor the pres.
eut.'
There goes our wedding trip all to
smashr said I, "a Mollie read the
order.
why so? she asked.
'Iou see l must go to the pilot
house ofthe Mobi.ia.'
Very we'll she replied. we will
inst SO up the river inssead OF 10 the
cave. Drive on, Bob; lot US go down
TO the wharf in state.
But you can't go in the p,lo; house
with me, little goose
of course not but l can sit on tue
deck outside laughed Noble ,and we
can cast languish.ng chances at
each other
And SO it came to pass that ! took
possession OF the Mobiiia's pilot.
house, my heart glowing with love 4
pglde; with love, Tor there. jlat be,
low Inc, on tho ittic Forward DECK, sat
my sweet bride with pride because
the Mobilia was one OF tho finest of
the floating palaces of tue Mississippi.
aud 10 pilot such an one had for
years been nay ambition. gave my.
self up to my own happy thoughts. and
looking up on the far distant, peace
full shores OF the river, over whose
placid bosom we were moving so
swiftly, there rose from my heart n
glad, silent hymn OF rejoicing.
But suddenly n cry broke forth
from the cabin behind ire that effect.
uaIly changed tho current of my
thoughts
Fire! fire firer A horrible cry
at all times, but most horrible of all
when it rings forth in the midst of
gay, uususpioua hundreds floating in
tancied security in the midst OF the
waters.
Aye! there was no mistake about
it nor false alarm. No one could tell
how it had commenced, but there it
WAS creeping along the roof of the
upper cabin, with the deadly flames
lappiug UP every scrap Of awning aud
curtain they could find upon their
way, ever and anon darling long
tongues OF flames down TO the floor To
clasp the light chairs and tables and
settees IN their fiery embrace.
The people darted down from the
fiery upper cabin to the forward deck
below, whore rs yet the foe had made
but little Roadway, and the captain
who was the rara avis the right man
IN the right plaee'--succecded in par.
italy iueliing the panic.
Keep qnietn lie ordercd-skeep
quiet, and stay Just where you are, or
| will mol answer for the lives of any
of You! The steward Will provide G.
very one OF YOU with lie preservers !;
but there is no reason for any person
to go overheard; not yet awhile, at
any rate, unless suicide is desired -
Keep qaiet ] say Pilot head her
straight for the land, halfa mile ahead
1--WE were at least twice that distance
from the main land on either shore. J
Engineer, put on all steam--crowd
her on We Will run a race with the
foul tiend who has boarded the Mo,
bilja.'
Suddenly there was murmur q,
mong the people below, and the next
instant q light form flew NJ tbe lad
der leading to the little deck by the
pilot.house and, before | could say n
word, my precious Mollie had thrown
open the door, and, closing it again
stood BY my side
'Mollie, Moliie : I cried. FOR
heavens sake go acis-go back 1!
don't you see how the flames are creep
ing towards Us here? Go, 90, my own
true wife Don't unman me by max
ing me fear Tor you. Go down where
! can feel that you lave a chance Of
safety
Rob Thorner she eSclaimcd, with
her eyes looking bravely 1raight into
mine am ! your wife?'
Surely, surely, thank God ] ut,
tered but go, gor
MY post 10 here Just az much az
yours Is, she answered firmly. i
will stay here. Bob and ifyou die /
too. We will make our wedding trip
together rny dear husband, even If it
beinto tbenext world. Keep toyour du.
~ and never mind me, Rob There is
hope for Us yet, and II It comes to the
worst, why'--and brave sweet smile
crept round her Iips-'wc are still to,
gether, dear love
'Thorno,' shouted the captain, come
down. Lower her and Yourself over
the rail. Wc';l cltch You You can.
not stay there any longer. We are
very near the shore now. aud the rest
Wen take orr chances for
Il was an awful temptation. / knew
that, did | follow the cattain's advice,
both MOllie and / would be safe, COR
/ was good swimmer, and, should
the boat Mt reach the shore, could
save her and myself; but then. IL /
did this, would / not deliberately OK.
pose every one Of tic three hundred
souls on board to destruction? looked
1T my dear wife enquiringly.
= ick TO your post, Rob- she said
No, Sir : sIouted back shall
stick to nay post; shall stay here till
j run her clear on the shore, or die