Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-08-21
opened the door. and closing it again stood

by my side.
'sMollie Mollie" cried, "for Heavens
sake, go back-go backl Don't you see
how the flames are creeping toward us
here? Go, go, my dearest, my own true
wifeI Don't unman me by making me fear
for you. Go down, where can feel you
have a chance of safety"
"Rob ThorneI' shs exclaimed, with her
eyes looking bravely straight into mine
IAN your wife?"
Surely, surely" uttered; "but go, goW
"My post is here just as much as yours
is% she answered firmly. II will stay
here, Rob, and if you die will die too.
We will make our wedding trip together,
my dear husband, even if it be into the
next world. Keep to your duty and never
mind me, Rob. There is hope for us yet,
and if it comes to the worst, why"-and
brave, sweet smile crept round her lips
1--WE are still together, dear lovep
I saw it was of no use to urge her any
more, and besides, something swelled in
my throat so that could not utter word,
SO I just gripped the wheel hard and looked
right ahead, though everything looked
very dim just then, and my devoted dar-
ling stood calmly at my side watching the
flames that were creeping closer upon us,
leaping around the pilot house like hungry
demons impatient for their prey.
'Thorne," shouted the captain, come
down. Lower her and yourself over the
rail. Well catch you. You cannot stay
there any longer. We are very near the
shore now, and the rest we'll take our
chances for"
1t was an awful temptation. | knew
that did follow the captains advice both
Mollie and | would be safe, for | was a
good swimmer, and should the boat not
reach the shore could save her and my
self; but then if did this would not de
liberately expose every one CT the 300 souls
on board to destruction? True, the boat
might keep to her course during the short
space remaining to be passed, merely from
the rapid impetus of her approach, but,
again, she might not-and then?
looked at my dear wife inquiringly.
"Stick to your post, Robl" she said.
"No, STRIP shouted back; 81 shall stick
to my post; shall stay here till run her
clear on the shore, or die first"
'My brave Rob-my noble Robl' MUIR
INJURED Mollie
But alas for my devoted Molliel alas for
mel Not the pilot house only, but the en-
tire deck around it was now surrounded
by flames. It was too late to lower our
ourselves to the deck below! The railing
was all ablaze. My arms, released from
the guardianship over the wheel. clasped
Mollie close to my heart but my eyes and
brain were busy seeking some mode of es
cape from death that seemed each instant
more certain.
All at once my eyes rested on the paddle
box. 1t had not taken fire yet; the flying
spray had saved it. l had only to dash
l, An,1 4
a little door in its side, which afforded
ready access to the wheel. to lower my
precious charge to the water beneath in
safety. No sooner thought of than done
"Take my hand, Mollie," said, "and
run with me. We shall be saved, after all
Wrap your shawl across your mouth
Now, now-runl"
Leaping down on the deck, we sped hand
in hand to the paddle box. I dashed open
the little door, and pushing Molly inside
passed in myself and drew the door close
again, shutting out the eager flames whose
angry roar pursued us as we dropped gen
tly down into the shallow, water and crept
out from beneath the wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with shout
of delight and relief, for all had given US
up as lost, and we must have been but for
the heaven inspired thought of the wheel
house.
Now that the danger was over, poor lit
tie Mollie tainted, and no wonder. But she
soon came out all right, and as the people
began to find out that the "brave little
girl" as they called her, was really a bride
of only few hours, and that we were on
our wedding trip, there was regular ova
ton, followed up by nine deafening cheers.
The island upon which the Mobilia had
been beached was low, sandy and unin
habited, altogether not an inviting place
for 300 people. without a particle of SHELTER
to pass half day upon, yet even in this
plight there were few grumblers
There was no room in our hearts for any
feeling but that of thankfulness for our
preservation from a fearful death, and
after the peril of the last hour or two it
seemed small matter to wait patiently
for the coming of the relief boats that we
knew were sure to arrive before many
hours were past.
Though some miles from any city, we
knew that the burning steamer must have
been seen from the farmhouses scattered
sparsely along the river bank, and that
from these notices of the disaster would be
sent to the nearest town. And so it was.
Before nightfall several small steamboats,
arrived, and after that but few hours
elapsed before we found ourselves safely at
home and our adventurous wedding trip
at an end. But it's results were not ended
by any means The terrible nervous strain
had endured, combined with the severe
burns on my face and hands. threw me
PROSTATE on bed of sickness.
When l was able to report for duty
again, two weeks later, | learned that
noble gift from the Mobilia's grateful
passengerg-no lass q sum than S2,0O0-lay
in the bank awaiting my order. NOT only
this, but the steamboat company had voted
me gold medal and the appointment Of
pilot of the finest steamer on their line.
Years have gone by since my brave wife
and | had SO nearly journeyed out of the
world on our wedding trip. From pilot !
have come to be captain and part owner Of
one of those beautiful floating palaces that
used SO to excite my envy, but never do |
pass without sickening sh1dder the little
island where the Mobilia won the stakes in
the last race-a race of fire against steam,
Of life against death.-True Flag.
1Hr,V