Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-10

streets. In the mean tiuo Mrs De'S
was a~nxiously awaiting his return, IN
utter Ignorance Of what bad been done,
and wondering what could have become
of the old negro servant. The storm
was raging frightfully the cries, the
screams, the shrieks, the means, the
wells OF the infuriated wind as il swept
around the corners and through the leaf
less branches, sounded like human out
cries in some deadly conflict, or like the
d~espairing walls from the bottomless pit
Such a night was frightful to those whose
dear ones were all sheltered securely at
home but with what feelings did she
who knew that those most dear to
her were exposed to the storms
cruel fury SIT through the dreary
midnight hours listening TO that
awful conflict of the elements The
agony became intolerable she could
bear it no longer. She must learn some
thing about those dear ones whom her
anxious imaginings Represented as lost
or painfully struggling for life. kecK-
less Of self, and needing only the I'M
pulses of her heart, with the fortitude
and heroism which characterize the true,
devoted wife, she determined to go IN
quest OF tidings. Accompanied by her
niece. an inmate OF the family, and who
is still in administering attendance on
the doctor in Philadelphia, she bravery
faced the furious storm and, after nearly
An hours struggling through the heavy
snow embankment heaped against TIE
side enclosure Of st. Paul's church, she
succeeded in reachingthe st. Claire Hotel
(then the CentraD. where she and her
companion, completely exhausted, were
constrained to seek shelter. The night
clerk who was on duty politely and kindly
received them, and admitted them TO the
we'll. warmed r~eception.room, though
greatly astonished at their untimely
visit. It's object, however. was soon ex-
plained, when the young mans sympa,
thies we're aroused by her evident and
painful solicitude. and he agreed to
take a servant with q lantern and make
an effort, which be feared would prove
unsuccessful, to work his way to my
house. 1t was about 2 o'clock IN the
morning of Monday. when lying and
listening to the awful storm without,
and thinking of the terrible sufferings
it was causing on land and sea. heard
human voices ut my front gate and
sounds as If an effort was being made to
get in. Soon my night bell rang, and l
arose and proceeded to my chamber
window to ascertain the object OF the
alarum. but opening the blinds beheld
q most frightful spectacle. The whole
Heavens seemed TO he on fire, and as
there had been an alarm OF fire in the
early part of the night my impression
was that the conhsgration had extended
and involved an extensive portion OF the
city. As soon as possible [ hsstened
TO admit my visitors, took them
to q comfortable room, and learned
their errand. OF course ! could say
nothing Of what had beiallen the travel
lers after they left nay house, but assured
Mrs. Beale that she need be under no
apprehension for the Doctor, inasmuch
as be was as well protected against the
cold - DIR. Kane or any of his bold com
panions in his famous arctic expedition,
but that | knew nothing more Of the old
driver than that he turned away rs II
going home, though | thought it very
probable that he had sought and Oh
tanned shelter with some neighbor. Mrs.
Beale with q heavy and anxious heart
fought her way back to her home, and
ignorant until a late hour Of Mon
day Of the Doctors adventure, whom
daybreak found comfortable enough
bodily with his two companions in his
carriage. which with the horses was en-
beddcd in a deep embankment of snow,
where they had been brought to a stand,
unable to proceed further. When day
had sufficiently advanced to enable the
travellers to discern remOter objects, they
espied a house in tho distance, whittier
they forced a passage, leaving the horses
and carriage, and obtaining assistance
had the horses taken to a stable aRd
cared for, as also themselves.
The details OF that nights sufferings
can be better obtained from Captain
Angie, and any deficiencies supplied and
errors corrected of my narrative. My
was simply to record an example
of true female devotion and heroism.
G. $. NJ.