The Irish standard., 1886-05-29


like, however, was eager to escape the
disagreeable and hastened to join the
usual morning crowd of children On our
front steps.
"Isn't it funny I began, Importantly,
we've got on two everythings, but
dresses?''
.sWe've got on two dresses, toow cried
chorus of opposite neighbors {our play
matesh and SO they had. Whereupon my
vanity was quelled momentarily in B. deep
deject ton at my mothers lack of originai-'
ity. s'But you haven't seen the fire." I
said, in faint hope Of getting ahead.
Your windows are not the same way.''
Little I dreamed that there would be few
windows in that doomed city which would
not on that dreadful day look out upon
the ire-fiend.
And SO we children went to our morn
ing's play. Soon the bursting of the
bombs came to drown our childish cries.
We were hurried into our homes, and to
scene after scene of such terror as even
now comes wildly before rne.
THE BURNING CITY.
One by one the houses in our neighbor-
hood took fire from tie sparks which flew
thick and fast before strong wind. Ours
alone was saved, and that by the bravery
and resolution ct my aunt, who spread
with her own lovely hands blankets all
over the fiat roof and then saturated them
with water, which was supplied to her by
my mother and such Of the elder children
as could be trusted to do such work A
little below us the house of dear old
friend WAS seen blazing and we went down
to help remove such yaluables as could be
;n9 NTc r1;I
to go, toe, as the other alternative OF
great fun we thought it to trot back and
saw a man killed by & brick which fell on
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 rye were allowed to leave the house.
We boasted an underground kitchen to
CUR house which, at such q 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 terrCr-stricken servants went from
room to room, seeking courage from the
two brave mistresses. My aunt, until quite
late in the day. kept her place on the roof
My mother in twenty places at once
ordering, rebuking. comforting and now
and then finding time 20 come to us in a
crowded kitchen WITH words Of cheer or q
smile of sympathy. The hours crept
by, the minutes Kept 10y the booming
shell--the dense gray smoke, as of fog,
over all, bu5 no enemy was seen; hardly
z. creature up,n the street.
There was nothing in the house in the
Way OF tood, save quart or two OF meal.
With SO ,aany to feed it was a very serious
question, that Of dinner, and auntie sent
for Joe, our trusted major donlo, for a
consultation. Judge OF my disnlay when
she learned that he had gone for hours,
along with the faithless Tom, whom my
father had distrusted. This was blow.
Auntie and mother looked at each other
with a despair too deep for words.
ssJeailje," auntie said, after pause,
sstl1are is nothing for it but for you to go.
You see I could never leave the house.
Nanny says they are giving things away
ri the comnjssariat. I am afraid 10 trust
the servants alone. Take Jane and Cora
and-~-God keep you p
And Sod did keep her. Through those
deserted streets, where the shells were
bursting every minute and where death
seemed inevitable, my mother went and
came back laden with molasses aud meal.
Bnt no meet. Nothing WAS to be scorned
however, snd these provisions were greeted
with rapturons delight by our anxious
and hungry household.
It was by this time three O'Clock. We
were all dazed by the long suspense, the
frightful bursting OF shells at the armory,
not five blocks away, followed by the death
like silence. Every window in the house
WAS broken. My mothers eyesight was
permanently injured by the effects Of the
concussion. Suddenly the long pected
CRY Of strhe Yankeasl'' was brought to lis
by a terror stricken negro. No one
quite knew what Has to be feared, but the
terror was none the less real beause SD
vague.
- THE YANKEES WE'RE COMING.
Surely enough they we're comfng--a
gallant and gay company of cavalry, CAN
tering up the street, Our house was
large and conspicuous and by the time
the cavalcade reached it my aunt was at
the door. There she stood, calm and
stately, her grand figure and dignifed
gentleness q fit protection for the fright
ened children hiding behind her skirts and
the bewildered negro faces in the back
ground. What picture of quiet bravery
she made! Child as was, looked UP
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 tall
pillars at the top of the high steps, and
signed to the leader of the band to come
to her.
He was a handsome, well-bred young
fellow q remember my astonisIment that
this should be the case) and came prompt
1y and courteously.
Sir" my amt said-with what win
ming grace and dignity I have no words to
describe-tl see that you are gentleman.
We are household OF helpless women
end children, and 7 desire from you some
guard or protection from such as may
prove less courteous than yourself" I
COMPARISONS ARE OFTEN oDIOUs.
Madam" he answered, standing bare
headed before her, II will gladly leave
you one of my men until i can see the
commandment and provide you with a
permanent guard. And permit me to
say, madam, that if the women Of Louisi-
ana had shown your. courtesy and con-
slderation for our feelings there would
have been fewer outrages"
She thanked him graciously, and, her
hospitality getting the better of her fears.
invited him in to have glass Of whiskey