The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-09

vanity was uuelled momentBTily IN q deep
detection at my mothers lack OF original
ity. But you haven't seen the Ere" ]
said, in u faint hope OF getting ahead
/" Your windows ars not the same way"
Little ] dreamed that there would be few
windows iu that doomed city which would
not on that dreadful day look out upon
the fre-hend.
And so We children went to our morn
ing's play. Soon the bursting OF the
bombs came 70 drown our childish cries
We were hurried into our homes and &C
scene after scene OF such terror as even
now comes vividly before me
TIE BURSISG CITY.
One by one the houses IN our neighbor,-
hood took fire from the sparks which dew
thick and fast before a strong wind. Ouu
alone was saved and that by the bravery
and resolution Of my aunt who spread
with her own lovely hands blankets al
over the fat roof and then saturated them
with water, which was supplied 20 her By
my mother and such of the elder children
es could be trusted 70 do such work A
little below Us the house OF a dear old
friend was seen blazing and we went down
20 help remove such valuables as could b
carried away. We children were allowed
70 90, too, as the other alternative Of
leaving Us was even more dangerous, and
great fun we thought Il 70 trot back and
forth with our small burdens until we
saw a man killed by a brick which fell Cd
his head.
Our little Kitty tainted at the sight and
we were all hurried home by our half
distracted mother, and It was many days
before we were allowed 70 leave the house
We boasted an underground kitchen 20
our house which, at such a time, was
thought specially safe, and here we finally
collected, being reinforced BY terrified
neighbOrs who were without any such
stronghold, until We numbered forty.
The terror-stricken servants went from
room 70 room, seeking courage from the
two brave mistresses. Ny aunt, until quite
late In the day, kept her plsCe on the root
Ny mother IN twenty places At once
ordering, rebuking. comforting and now
and then finding time TO come 10 US In 8
crowded kitchen with words Of cheer or
smile OF sympathy The hours crept
by. the minutes kept by the booming
shell-the dense gray smoke, ss OF 8 fog,
over all but no enemy was seen hardly
g creature upon the street
There was nothing In the house IN the
way OF food, save quart or two Of meal
with so many 70 feed x was a very serious
question, that Of dinner, and auntie sent
for Joe our trusted major domo. for
consultation. Judge OF my dismay when
she learned thst he had gone for hours,
along with the faithless Tom, whom my
father had distrusred. This WIS a blow.
Auutie and mother looked at each other
with despair too deep FOR words.
UJesnie." auntie said, after q pRuse
'1here Is nothing for It but for V0u % 60
You sec / could never leave the house
NANNY says they are giving things away
at the CUmmissariat gm afraid 10 trust
the servants alone. Take Jane and Cora
and-Cod keep you %
And God did keep her. Through those
deserted streets, where the shells were
bursting every minnie and where death
seemed Inevitable, my mother went and
. came back laden with molasses and meal
But no meat. Nothing was 70 be scOrned
. however, and these provisions we're greeted
with rapturous delight by our anxious
and hungry household
Il was hv his time three O'Clock. We
were all dazed by the long suspense. the
frightful bursting OF shells at the armury.
not i've blocks away, followed by the death
like silence Every window IN the house
was broken. Nv mothers eyesiRht was
permanently injured by the effects Of the
concussion. suddenly the lOuE-eLpected
CRY Of The Yankecst' was brought 10 MS
by a terrorstricken negro. No one
quite knew what was 70 be feared, but the
terror was none the less real beause 50
vague
THE YASKEEs WE'RE COMING.
Surely enough they were comIng-H
gallant and Kay company Of cavalry. can.
terIng up the street OuT house was
large and conspicuous and 10y the time
. the cavuIcade reached Il my aunt was al
the door. There she stood, calm and
stately. her grand figure and diEuified
geutleness a ft protection for the fright
cned children hiding behind her skirts and
the hewilGercd negro fac Ia tie back
ground. What picture Of quiet lrnvers
She made Child as / was, looked M
at her with a wondering awe and thought
she must be like the great Joan Of Arc
The heroine of my small stock of learning
She stood on the portico. between two tai
pillars at the top of the high steps. and
. signed TO the leader Of the band TO come
10 her.
He was a handsome, well-bred young
fellow II remember my establishment tha
this should be the case and came prompt
ly and cOurteOusly,
'.Sfr" my aunt said-with what win
ming grace and dignity have DO words q
describe SEE that You are gentleman
We are a household Of helpless vOmeI
aud children, and I desire from you some
guard or protection from such rs ma,
prove less courteous than yourself"
COMPARISONS ARE OFTEN OnIOUs-
, Madam 80 ne answered, standing hare
, headed before her, Il VIII gladly leav
You one Of my men until ] can see tn
commandment and provide you with
permanent guard. And permit me Q
, say, madam, that If the women uf Louis
ana had shown your courtesy and COZ
sheraton for our feelings there wuul
have been fewer outrages"
, She thanked him graCiously, and, he
; hospitality getting the better OF her fear
invited him r. n have a glass OF whiske
= and water saying as she handed il 20 hin
Il am sorry We have nothing better 20 O
fer. but everything else has been take
from us"
5 He left an orderly, who proved useful
4 helping us 20 patch windows and mo-
n useful still I'm Bllayiug our fears Z
o cheerfuuy slept in the cold front hs
n there being no vacant room, and loo
! with admirable patience the airs Hr
m graces of nine impulsive one-sided ch
= dren II actually made friends with q
bows sufficiently 10 induce them % acce
4 a knife apiece-rare and highly Talu'
articles. I must add, however, that q
10 conduct to hen part Of the boys met Al
TO such hearty disapproval from the rcs1
- Is as 70 send them 10 Coventry.
" 50 the dav which had threatened all {
horrors OF var. ended in peace,
oeace Of defeat, not Of victory II Is tn
,ut At least with the assurance that the
II vas an end 10 battle and murder, %
ct not 10 sudden death Auc rar IN
IN think even the bra7 e spiri, uf rnv O.
lis was thankful remembering the taO q
k ones 0way-tiod alone knew where
Is, the terrible day that has brought maI
M silver streak to her locks A few q
OF after the roads were open To- travel
IL the first train came my gr1uGmot
IL from the '.other side" aud 18th
lat nother-love THAI furgets sides
factions tosk ne back To the oid fuof-t
Ter where, II my father and mother On @
10. maturity felt be bitterness OF defeat.
a little ones grew mp and came 90 see
- know but one side--le Union ~
Id AllleS-