Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-08-14
AN OFFICERS STORY.
"Charley, tell us a story"

-DO, Cnafley, uOl cnltneu I'D tne OtnerA
These remarks proceeded from group ~
American soldiers who were surrounding a
campfire In Indian Territory, endeavoring
to keep warm.
"Well, them" said the one addressed as
Charley, II will tell you a true one, which
happened to me once, although it almost
makes my blood run cold to think OF II.
Five years ago as was on my way to
Join my regiment, which was stationed at
the town of -, the stage took in an old
gentleman and his daughter. His whole
air bore the stamp of excellent birth and
education. | could say nothing In regard
to the looks of the young lady, on account
of her veil and bonnet, but a fine form
with occasional glimpses of sparkling black
eyes, and lovely complexion were enough
"When we arrived at the hotel In the
town, procured room and then called
for supper but on account of the fatigue CT
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 I was startled by a
rich, mellow voice, quite near me- which |
Immediately knew to be that of my fair
fellow traveller warbling, In a sweet tone,
Silver Lake On examination | found
that there was a door between my room and
hers, apparently long nailed up and dis
used. AS was impatiently ruminating,
she commenced in the same soto voice and
sang the song from Tribly Lutrin, 'Ecoute.
Then, taking up the song, sang the second
verse. Her voice Immediately ceased. and
heard no more
ut was growing very late. and wearied
more In mind than body ! once more threw
myself on the bed to sleep, though had no
expectation of slumber. ! did sleep, how
ever-a sleep | shall never forget. l was
fearfully aroused from 1t by what seemed
to be tumultuous voices, the roaring of can
non and drums, and occasionally peals like
thunder. felt 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 If illuminated by the bursting OF
q volcano.
Accustomed to danger, I soon collected
my thoughts. | approached the window
and saw that the town was on fire IL was
the blowing up Of 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 lock ed |
remembered locking 1t before going to bed
and taking the key out, but had utterly
forgotten where had put 1t. After at
tempting to burst 1t open with my foot
essayed q chair, and then a 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
called loudly for aid. But amid the clamor
OF voices and the roaring of the flames
cannon could scarcely have been heard
THE room began to be oppressively hot,
and the floor parched my feet. had faced
death on many battlefields and feared il
not, but to die thusl sank down on my
bed in despair Gushes of dark, red flame,
mingled with black, musty cloud. filed
my room
overt have nothing to do but to die like
a manp
"At this moment loud splash ratified
through the shivered panes, and was del
uged with shower of water. The fire en-
"Once more | arose, resolved to make an
other effort. seized the tongs and poker
and tried to force back the lock. My
strength seemed to increase with my des-
peration. | toiled till the skin was rubbed
from my before lacerated hands Almost
fainting, / staggered back against the wall.
where saw my reflection in large psyche
My eyes were bloodshot and haggard, my
hair hung In thick, lank spikes, while my
face was covered with SCOT and blood
what have related occurred in few
minutes. A wooden portico covered with
tin just under my window had long resist
ed the furious element, but at last il gave
way. The sudden heat that rushed into
the room was too much for me. My knees
tottered, and my head swan round threw
myself on my face, remembering that there
Is said to be pure layer of air near the
floor. While thus extended my eye caught
the door key near me that had fallen from
q nail over my head. seized the key and
gained the door, but the dense cloud into
which l arose overpowered my exhausted
frame Ireeled around and fell to the floor.
and as fell loud crash rang In my ears
How long ] lay insensible know not.
When was out of danger learned from
the physician that the young girl, who had
been awakened by her father, followed by
two firemen, rescued me, and when the door
between the rooms was shivered TO pieces
with one OF their axes one of the firemen
caught up my lifeless body while his com
panion carried off the heroic girl, who had
tainted Oh seeing my PROSTATE form
my first inquiry was about the young
lady who had saved my life As IL was. |
found her an angel And that awful
t.A
cold, made me what I still ana happy
M v-Exchan.,a