The National tribune., 1902-07-17

the arriving troops, the roar of the flames
of the burning buildings, the long wreaths
of fire rising from the igniting, cotton. .
Shorty made a gasp as his comrades
laid him down in the fresh, cool air; then
| his great chest expanded, as he drank in
his fill of the welcome chill blast, and he
rose slowly to his feet, remarking: Il got
| that young 'un out all right, did L? 1t was
a mighty narrow squeak for her. Anybody
got any cold coffee in his canteen? | feel
| as il l could drink barrel. Great Jehose-
| phat. but it was hot in there"
| The most heartfelt yell that ever the
boys lips had uttered went up from their
relieved hearts.
WED better go back to the boat, and
let you lie down." said 81, solicitously
brushing from his partners face and
| clothes the charred reminders of his or
deal. Look around, boys, and see if you
| can't find some old buggy or something
| that we can run him down to the boat in.
"Run nothing" said Shorty, roughly,
| shaking down more charred fragments
from various parts Of his person, Il may
be only fire remnant, marked down to
quarter price, but Pm going to stay right
with you till the end Of the show. Go
| ahead. Let's so up to the public square,
where we can see what's going on. Great
Jehosephat, how my hands and face sting.
and my insides taste like an old smoke
house where they have been curing meat
for coon's age"
"Wait at the southwest corner of the
handing his carbine to Gid, and darting
off toward the hospital. I'm going to
find something to help you"
They went to the appointed corner, and
looked over a more wonderful scene than
had met their eyes since they had been in
the service. The burning cotton flakes
were carrying the devouring fire to every
hnnca IN ha li,>lN ftty Richar or
Main street, for a mile and half was an
awful river of fire. Weak old men and
screaming women were rushing in and
out Of the houses, carrying loads Of goods
in their feeble arms, and implOring help
from the bystanders, or from anyone. The
swarms of negroes were wildly excited.
The rongher class of field hands and
common laborers seemed to think that the
end of the world was at hand, and stand
ing on the lee side of the cotton bales.
sang, prayed and shouted at the tops of
their strong, melodious voices. Every
time that there would come the noise of
an explosion in the burning arsenal they
would take it as the final crack of doom,
fall on their knees, and send up agonizing
appeals for mercy.
As one after another of the great build
igns the churches, and the residences of
prominent people-the places upon which
they had always looked with the greatest
awe and reverence-caught fire and were
wrapped in flames, it seemed as if the Day
of Judgment was sparing no earthly
things.
"De ahsnul is a-gwine lack man wild
de jempin' cholera" said an old preacher
uncle" who was trying to minister to
them. 'Dey dat Ibis by de sword mus
perish by de sword. De Lnwd is mighty,
an His words come true. "Great Heb
bens dar goes de 'Piscopal Church, dat all
de quality tends. De Lnwd's punishin'
DER stuck-up- p-ativeness."
Punishment, Uncle, for their black
prelacy, and following after the Scarlet
Woman" admonished Otterbein Kramer
'Brack prelacy? Scarlet Woman? What
datT inquired the negro. "Der preachers
mos'ly wears white"
'Dar goes de Presbyterian Chu'ch, Uncle
Bowlegs," shouted another negro "And
dah's de shoutin' Mefodis'.'
'Dey don't seem to stand a mite better
afo' de Lawd in de Day of Reckonin' dan |
de uprisin' an down -settin' "Piscopali-
ans" murmured Uncle Bowlegs, getting
some new lights in his theology. "Only de
Baptis' stan lack rock afo' de storm.
P'nise De good Lawd, Use a Baptis' till l
die"
But, look, Uncle Bowlegs. De Baptis'
Church done cotch. Dab she goes-wuss
dan de udders."
80. Dressed God Almighty, is You done
forsakin us?' groaned the negro preacher
in the deepest anguish, ns the rock of his
faith slid from under him. SIS de po'
niggers t be lost entirely widout You're
stretchin' out a hand t sabe dem?'
"Cheer up, Uncle; you're in no danger"
Otterbein Kramer spoke up with bold en-
couragement. "Be not afraid. and tell
your people to be of good cheer. This is
only the Christening hand of the Lord ON
the wicked in high places. He has the
meek and lowly under the shelter of His
hand. and will bring you out Of the House
of Bondage, as He did the Children of
Israel. Kneel in prayer with me, and
trust in His mercy for evermore." ],
There was that in Otterbein Kramer's