New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-09
CHAPTER XIV.

OuctIy the heroic woman awaited her fate She
had gone to the door but had been driven back by
clouds of smoke and roaring flames that filled the
hallway. Now standing ut the window she looked
down q sea Of upturned Mortified faces Ladders
were placed against the honse but they were too
short to reach her. The hot flames tie dense
smoke drove back those who strove to help her
Through The ceiling the lrc was eating she felt the
searching of lis breath s,n-t the smuggling of the
blanket that she had wrapped around her. She saw
her cousin. Dr. Cotton. struggling with some men
who were holding him back from tho burning
bonsr: he striving to reach and 10 save her.
She heard his voice. Jane. Jane forgive mci7
She knew her hour had come. ard knoll, TO pray.
Forgive us our trespasscs" Hardly had the solemn
words passed her lips when "a hand graspcd her
shoulder. Who had dare to pass those flames
She turned and saw against the background OF fire
tall negro.
:" BE quiet and you will he saved" he said. and
tearing Il sheet he fastened 1t around the blanket in
which he cuvclopcd her.
I" will let you down from the window. Don't he
afraid" lie spoke calmly and raised her from The
ground. But she resisted.
"No; save yourself" she said He did not heed
her, but hastily lifted her and thrust her out Of
the window.
"Your name tell me your name" She had pulled
the blanket from her face and graspcd the window
sill with one hand. Your name y
atom ONcal. an escaped convict he answered
with a bitter laugh Even AT that moment in tie
midst of flame and death he felt the cruel irony of
his fate.
The crowd below. horror-struok at the lady's
danger. first seeing the negro and then tho mulled
figure lowered gently ,lowly from that burning
window. broke into Wild Cheers
Had il been whisrc, ID that this man was n con
Wet and his Keepers were III pursuit of hum. lany
men would have endangered life and limb IN ls de
fence But for instant only Enthusiasm ~ not
enduring. A moment after the lady, uninjured. had
reached the ground. grOan went up from the
crowd rs tho root ell IN. leaving only ana7 where
that black face hal been. Cine woman iaintedand
many wopt. as each heart thrilled at the Negroes sac
riHce, bat it is doubtful If besides Or. Cotton ARD
his cousin one could lie found III all that multitude.
who. knowing what he was. wonld have sheltered
the convict.
The morning papers describing the destrnc-
ton Of Dr. Coltons elegant mansion, alluded 10
Miss Dawson's miraculous escape Very little was
said of her rcscnrr But tho attention of tie police
was particularly Cal!ei to the report that very
from Camp Osmefio, and. 80 far as learned, had
not yet been rccapurei. Ii WAS possible that this
convict had had some hand in causing the winch
seemed the work oil an lncendiary. -.
With very pale face Miss Dawson read TINS
article The convict had been her rescuar. II was
hardly possible that there could have been two es
iul death this negro had met in her service she was
deeply hurt at the injustice done to his memory.
II,
the newspapers and laudrd the act of the deadi
"COnyict or no convict, he was the hiavest man !
ever saw: Aud honest. too: am surprised he could
do what he did. and be Niger. lie asked nothing
but rushed IN ana ued to SAVE YOU. Ii there ives
any one belonging To Tom ONea shall consi lor
him sacred charge he doctor spoke warmly.
taking Oh his glasses to clear away the mist that
hah gathcred on them. Nor did he content hlinseIi
with words. but. ignorant how else 10 obtain lni"r-
nation. pnt into the journals throughout the state
notices wherein after stating The manner oi Meals
death, lie requested the names aud address OF ~
rciatives. assuring them that such information
would be greatly TO their adv antago.
Oi the negro's death there did not APPEAR the
slightest doubt. People discussed It, wondering
who the man was. and what led him to brave sucn
n death. For now the daring deed began 10 belong
the past human nature sought the motive
Sumo practical souls CHANGING to hear of the thou
sand dollars offered by thedOctOr found this motive
therein. ONeals sacrifice sank into the common
place. and passing from admiration of his bravery
they commented on the power, the greatness, OIL
money.
AT n little distance from he burning house there
had been man who recognized ONell as he
lowered N ss Dawson tO tie stretched mp 10 re
cciye her. Recognized him--and vaitei. UnmONed
by the negros bravery he noted his disappearance
little before the ROOF Tell In aud he believed tue
convict had escaped.
lie watched Tor dark object nj some door or
window of the burning house, inlending ~ arrest
and take him back Us camp. Then he would gain
the reward And he who. unnoVeh, had been
witness of the cunvrts heroism now felt his pulse
uucken IA he Thought ~ iilton's sitislautIu and
the ruN iuus admiration he would pan when he re-
turned rs Usmenllu with hs prisoner
This man was stern, the rnnlict auail who wns
n,ost ia liiltun's confidence pntien,l, he waited
mt his prey. walking tuuai aud runa The buildine
After little the ptOwh W meh dropped away ie
tuihipa w. tleii huihts theit own li,es Ne hetio
had alieal, begun ~ belong te The Iast they were
ready ~ hispt HIN, AND the ,leei ,ha, had WIN
theit aam,iatien, iiut eten did not ietset We
kApt HE post ptill Watching, Htl WaItinA Int his
psey, anti ths Aish, had seAs 10 Join hss shaaewi