The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-07-31

open door, twisting and untwisting bis
soft felt hat
Earthquake! My God" he cried in
hoarse whisper.
tried to speak, but my tongue was
frozen. reached out my hand and
touched his coat. felt the warmth of
his body and laughed like child that
feels the pressure of its mothers kiss
in the dark.
He clutched my arm. "Come" he
cried. Gomez 1t was a savage cry,
yet trembling with agony.
"Where?" asked. l was frightened
at my own voice.
"Amyw he cried. "Merciful God,
Amy!"
We went down the stairs-stagger-
ing, falling, struggling, we went down
the stairs. He was the first In the
street, I after him. He led the way.
and l followed. Over piles Of brick
and iron, through dust that cholled
and blinded. we ran. The streets were
full of people, running like we were.
But there was no word spoken, save
only the cry of some one under a wall
or the grooming Of mother to child
in her arms.
was beginning to breathe once
more and to get new grip on life
when again came the rumble and roar,
and the earth trembled in its agony.
Tall buildings leaned till they all hut
touched. / could see but narrow
line Of sky between. / thought they
would fall and crush me. but I didn't
care. didn't care for anything.
wanted to laugh. / thought if didn't
laugh I'd die. But l didn't ran.
could hardly keep on my feet.
seemed to be stumbling over ridges of
earth that sank out of sight when
stepped on them.
Jack kept right ahead Of me. but
presently he stopped so suddenly that
I ran into him.
ooh" he said, 81 can't leave them
there"! His face was pale as death.
Anxiety burned in his eyes, but
great pity trembled in his voice.
cant leave whom?" I gasped, but
already he had turned back.
followed, and We came to frail
woman sitting on the curbstone. In
her arms was baby. At her knee
was little girl. The girl was crying.
On the woman's face was the paieness
Of, utter exhaustion. on her lips was
q prayer, and In her eyes, resting on
her children. the deep pain with which
love embitters despair.
Madam" he said, "you will let us
help you?"
She looked at him. in her eyes a
blessing worlds could not purchase
He clasped the baby in his arms and
motioned for me to take the girl
Then. with his strong hand graspine
the woman's arm, we hurried away.
Three blocks distant man bolted
into us-a large, broad Shouldered man
with CRIME on his hands and grease
and dirt on his face that shone pale
beneath. The woman threw her arms
about the mans neck and sobbed, and
the man took Jacks hand and held II
for an instant, then reached forth bis
arms for the babe. Jack kissed the
child and handed 1t to him and stood
looking at it wistfully until they were
swallowed by the throng.
We passed q church. The door was
omen. A few candles burned dimly
Without on the stone steps a blacl
robed priest stood, crucifix in air
chanting. About him few Of the
faithful knelt. His black locks were
blowing in the rising breeze. His eyes
were upturned. Upon his calm face
was written, peace. be still"
So we came to corner, where Jack
paused and caught my arm. His face
was without color, ghastly in the
weird light of the new day. His voice
was scarcely more than whisper
His eyes shone like those Of one who
has staked his last cent upon the turr
of q wheel and knows the issue is life
or death.
'Tom," he cried, "look! I cannot
cannot He covered his face will
his hands. He was trembling. A child
ran past crying for its mother.
Look whare| | asked.
He glanced at me dumbly and raised
his hand to his head. then lowered it
A red blotch cleaned DULY on his
brow at the edge of his hair. His fin
gers were red.
.sTom"-he was on his knees, grip