Evening journal., 1891-08-08
A RACE OF FIRE

| Mollie and l. our parents being near neigtf
bors, and-which does not always follow
| firm friends as we'll. They were poor, and
| suspect that fact had much to do with
their friendship, for opportunities were
always turning up for helping one another;
and have often noticed that when near
neighbors are well off and have no need for
mutual help, there is very seldom any
| friendship between them. There is more
apt to be jealousy and competition.
Our parents being such good friends, it
naturally resulted that Mollle and | fol-
/ lowed their example. We went to school
together, read together, played together,
and somehow, when Mollie was eighteen
and twenty, we agreed to travel together
I all our lives, and were very happy in that
/ arrangement In fact, no other would
have seemed right or natural, either to us
or our parents.
From the earliest days Of my boyhood
| had fondness for the water. haunting
the palatial steamboats, that tioated on the
great Mississippi river, on whose banks
nestled the city In which we dwell, and at
the period to which am about TO refer,
had just secured position as pilot on a
small freight steamer.
Il was not much of a position, to be sure,
nor was there much Of salary attached
TO it,; but, small as II was, Mollie and
decided that we could make it answer for
two people, neither Of them extrayagant
or unreasonable; besides which had hopes
| OF better times to come, as / had received
words Of commendation from my employ
ers, and promises OF speedy promotion.
So early one bright morning, having OBJ
tanned days leave OF absence, Mollie and
were married, and stepping into car
riage had hired for the occasion we start
ed of, having decided on days excursion
to a celebrated cave near by, this being all
the wedding trip we could allow ourselves
Not that we cared in the least however;
we were too happy to be disturbed by any
shortcomings Of time or purse
We had scarcely driven beyond our own
street when we were brought to halt. A
messenger whom recognized as belonging
to our steamboat company hailed me.
Here is a note for you from the super
intendent."
Thus it ran;
"Am sorry to have to recall your leave
for today, but you must Immediately 60
on board the Mobilia, which is ready tr
start up the river. The pilot is too i'll tc
attend TO duty, and you are appointed q
take his place for the present.
|
smashm said /, as Mollie read the order
"Why soY she asked.
"You see, must 20 into the pilot house
OF the Mobilia."
"Very we'll" she replied; 1--WE will just
, go up the river instead of to the cave
Drive on, Rob; let us go down TO the wharf
in state"
But you cannot 90 into the pilot hous'
with me, little goose"
: "Of course not; but / can sit on the decl
outside" laughed Mollie, "and we can cas-
languishing glances at each other"
And so it came to pass that ! took pos
. session Of the Mobilia's pilot house. m.
heart glowing with love and pride. Witt
!, love- for there, just below me- on the littI
y forward deck, sat my sweet bride. Wit
l. PRIDE because the Mobilia was one OF th
r finest Of the beautiful floating palaces @
IS the Mississippi, and to pilot such a on
II had for years been the height Of my amb
\ tion.
IS The steamer was fitted up with doubl
a. cabin, one above the other-the upper on
e opening upon a small deck, reaching OF
'e toward the bow, near the center Of whicl
IS on a raised platform, was placed the pils
s. house. This deck was always occupied
b. passengers, and this morning it was pa
n ticuarly crowded. for the boat was heavil
ie laden with people taking advantage Of II
beautiful weather to make an excursion u
the river.
* Some rough fellows iostled against Nc
ef lies chair after awhile, and she rose al
in passed down into the lower cabin, TO z
.c- a drink OF water" she whispered to me
n she passed, but ! suspect it was really
IL prevent the bursting Of the thundercloJ
She saw gathering on my brow.
H. | saw that the insolent fellows made
o. attempt to follow my dear one, so | ga
ho myself up to my own happy thoughts, al
We looking upon the far distant, peacef
he shores OF the great river over whose plac
on bosom we were moving so swiftly, the
is rose from my heart glad, silent hymn
.e rejoicing.
an But suddenly a cry broke forth from I
nd cabin behind me that eifectually chang
err the current OF my thoughts.
"Eirel firei fre" A horrible cry at
time, but most hon. BILE of all when
m rings forth in the midst Of gay, unsus
-ty cious hundreds floating in fancied secur
ect in the midst OF the waters.
err An instant's awestruck silence succeed
vii that awful cry, and then 800 voices Of m
rty women and children united in feart
ave hesrtrending shrieks for help.
"Firel firel firel'
rho Ayel there was no mistake about IL,
the false alarm No one could tell how il l
nee commenced, but there it was, creep
less along the roof Of the upper cabin, with
' a deadly flames greedily tapping up ey
,ur- scrap OF awning and curtain they co
ent. find on their way, ever and anon dart
ID. loose tongues Of fame down to the Zoo
.ary clasp the light chairs and tables and
tees in their fiery embrace.
AS well seek with a sieve to scoop up
waters on the great river on which
Mobilia hoated as to try TO subdue
kay roaring, devouring enemy that had SCI
by upon the IN fated steamer.
The people darted down from the blai
upper cabin TO the forward deck hel
where as yet the foe had made but 1
tba headway, and there our brave captain
-ncIr was that rara avis, "the right man In
tns right place" e"-succeeded in partially q
hsa ing the panic.
yorl- Keep quaet," he ordered. keep O
s. and stay Just where you are or | will
;nr. answer for the lives of any Of youl
- - steward will provide every one OF you
s,a life preservers. but there is no reason
80 any person to go overheard; not yet aw
a.. at any rate, unless suicide is desired.
~ quiet, sayi Pilot, head her straight
the Land, half mile aheadp' eve we
least twice that distance from the .
H -