Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-08-31

brands were falling all around and
endangering his ascent. The burn
ing roof was momentarily expected
to fall. Every one warned him not
to attempt ascending,-that it would
prove certain death. But almost
frenzied at the thought of his dear
ones perishing in the fames,he rush
ed up TO save them or perish with
them. Amid raining fire and sitting
smoke he reached the window, seized
his wife and child and safely brought
them down, amid the applauding
cheers of the crowd, the boy clinging
to bis neck, and the wife clasped In
his arms.
After his dear ones had been taken
to place of safety, he felt lighter Of
heart. Very little could be saved.
The fire spread 50 rapidly over the
building, and the heat was so great
that the building was burnt entirely
to the ground in short time, as not
sufficient appliance were at hand to
contend with any degree of success
with the fire.
This unfortunate occurrence placed
poor Elmer in a sad and deplorable
condition. All that he had acquired
in the past years by strict economy
and untiring labor in business was
swept away in less than an hour. 1t
was an entire loss, for there was no
insurance, as those institutions had
not become common and popular at
that time and in that locality.
The following day Lillian's parents
came TO Somervlle to see their I'M
happy children, to comfort and con-
sole them in their distress. Elmer's
own parents had been dead several
years, and he was the sole survivor
Of the Lee family. Lillian and her
mother embraced each other and
wept tears Of grief and sorrow at
this sad misfortune, aud Elmer was
so downcast that he was picture of
sadness and detection when standing
upon the ruins of his house. Never
theless look into the past and then
upwards to heaven strengthened him
and by and by he became more COM
posed, and better fitted to reflect
more dispassionately about this sad
reverse. New hopes and new cour
age seemed to animate him again.
But poor Lillian wrupg her hands
and exclaimed despairingly; calais!
now we are poor indeed; what shall
we do?"
"Begin anew, my dear wife," said
Elmer, pressing her to his bosom.
ABE of good cheer, my love; Remem-
Der who has helped us heretofore?
When we began we had little more
than We have now. God has blest
our labors, and he will continue to
do SO in the future. Let us trust in
Him, and our ability. Maybe in
few years the loss we have sustained
will be amply made up. Do not
fret; the same God still lives to help;
we are now in the prime of life and
full of pluck and energy
"Son," said Elmer's father-in-law,
''the sentiments you have expressed,
and your readiness to be governed
by them, please me very much. You
have spoken like hero and a chris
tian. Continue to cherish and prac-
tice such noble principles, dear child
rem, and God will prosper you and
raise you up again."
Mr.. May, on his part, did every,
thing in his power to encourage and
aid the young people. The first
thing to be done was, to purchase
building material, and this was
done with such dispatch, that on
the third day after the fire the erec-
ton of a new building, on much
larger scale than the old one, was
commenced. New gools were or
dered, and as Elmer Lee was gener-
ally known as an honest and reliable
man, he was offered all the goods he
needed on long credit.
Lillian gradually became consoled
and even cheerful. "To be content
and cheerful when fortune Smiles"
remarked Elmer, lis well enough,
but to be patient and endure misfor-
tune with a resigned and even cheer
ful mind, is a. mark of true chris
tan. The loss we have sustained is
indeed great, but We cherish the
hope, by the blessing of God, of a
satisfactory recovery in the near fu-
ture. BY strict economy. and an
honest and energetic attention to
business, with the favor and blessing
of a kind Providence, We csnnot fail
of success"
In due time the new building was
completed, and filled with new and
choice goods. All the surroundings
were beautiful and tasteful, and Ell
mer and his dear little family were
happy again.
Elmer Lee was q very liberal man,
and he was soon in q condition, to
do much for charitable purposes. He
was an active church member, work