Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-22
AN OFFICERS STORY.
"Charley, tell us a story"

"Uo, Charley, dor chimed IN the others
These remarks proceeded froma group Of
American soldiers who were surrounding
campfire in Indian Territory, endeavorfng
to keep warm.
"weii, them" said the one addressed as
Charley, 81 will tell you true one, which
happened to me once, although It almost
max es my blood run cold to think Of It.
"Five years ago as / was on my way to
ioin my regiment; which was stationed Rt
the town of -, the stage took in an old
entlemtln aud his daughter. His whole
tir bore the stampof excellent birth and.
education. l could say nothing in regard
to the looks Of the young lady, on account
of her veil and bonnet, but q fine form,
with occasional glimpses OF sparkling black
eyes, and lovely complexion were enough
when we arrived at the hotel in the
town, procured q room and then called
| for supper, but on account of the fatigue of
the journey felt no inclination to eat and
shortly after went to my room and threw
myself on my bed, but could get no rest.
"While in this state was startled by
rich, mellow voice, quite near me, which
| Immediately knew to be that of my fair
fellow traveller. warbling, in sweet tone,
Silver Lake. On examination l found
that there was a door between my room and
hers, apparently long nailed up and dis
used. As / was impatiently Illuminating,
she commenced In the Same sotto voice and
sang the song from Tribly Lutrin, 'Ecoute'
Then, taking up the song, sang the second
yerse. Her voice immediately ceased, and
i heard nc more.
1T was growing very late and wearied
more in mind than body once more threw
l. L. Il.
expectation of slumber did sleep, how
ever-a sleep shall never forget. was
fearfully aroused from 1t by what seemed
4 to be tumultuous voices, the roaring of can
non and drums, and occasionally peSIs like
thunder. Tfelt oppressed by the glare Of
light A noise like thunder startled me
from my uneasy couch, and sprang upon
the floor. The room glared red with rapid
flashes, as IL illuminated by the bursting Of
volcano.
Accustomed to danger, soon collected
my thoughts. l approached the window
and saw that the town was on fire. It was
the blowing up of Q house In the vicinity
! that had suddenly aroused me. From the
shouts heard my hotel was evidently
burning. rushed toward my door, but at
that very, time recollected the lady near
me. knocked violently at her door-this
was no time for ceremony tried with all
my strength to force an entry, but In vain.
[ sprang to my door, but found 1t locked. !
| renem bered locking it before going to bed
, and taking the key out, but had utterly
forgotten where | had put 1t. After at
tempting. to burst it open with my foot ]
essayed achair, and then table, until both
were shivered into fragments.
"As / could see by the light that the
crowd was large one, determined to call
, for assistance In my impatience TO open
the window dashed my hands through the
panes of glass severely cutting them, and
sll called loudly for aid Butamid the clamor
| Of voices and the roaring Of the flames a
: cannon could scarcely have been heard.
5 1.-THE room began to be oppressively hot
s. and the floor parched my feet. had faced
4. death on many battlefields and feared Il
' not, but to die thusi sank down on my
. bed in despair Gushes Of dark, red flame
4 mingled with black, musty cloud, fllet
n my room.
overt have nothing TO do but to die lik'
mani
y "At this moment a loud splash rattleC
d through the shivered panes. and was del
a uged with a shower OF water. The fire en-
h aines were playing on the building
"Once more arose, resolved to make an
other effort. seized the tongs and poke
: and tried to force back the lock. M,
a strength seemed to increase with my des
y peration, ! toiled till the skin was rubbs'
). from my before lacerated hands. Almos
/. i faipting, i staggered back against the wall
I. | where saw my reflection In large psyche
~ Nv eyes were bloodshot and haggard, M
? hair hung IN thick, lank spikes, while IN,
:, lace was covered with SCOT and blood.
10 "WhAt have related occurred In few
> minutes. A wooden portico covered witt
70 tin Just under my window had long reais,
Ie1 cd the furious element, but at last 1t gav
If Way. The sudden heat that rushed int
"a the room was too much for me. Ny knee
tottered, and my head swan round. thret
IL myself on my face. remembering that ther
= Is said to be pure layer Of air near th
y door. While thus extended my eye caugh
y the door key near mo that had fallen froT
n D nail over my head seized the key En
n Raiued the door, but the dense cloud int
Y which arose overpowered my exhauste
!" frame. Ireeled around and fell 70 the Zoo
n and as fell loud crash rang IN my ears
n "How long lay inssnsibls know no
I. When was out of danger, / learned ffol
!. the physician that the young girl, who ha
70 been awakened by her father, followed
70 two flremen. rescued me, and when the dos
y between the rooms was Shivered TO piee'
with one OF their axes one Of the hroIne
h. caught up my lifeless body. while his oon
al p0nion carried of the heroic gtrl, who ha
of tainted on seeing my prostrate form.
"A ''My first inquiry was about the youn
! LADY who had saved my life As Il was.
y found her an angel. And that awfI
- night. which still makes my blood ~
20 cold, made ma what ! still ana hapE
,, husband. ."-Exchange
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