Year: 1867




seemed to me 1 would not be received
quite as well as should have been had
been wealthy. But that was it; was not
poor, nor was wealthy. lie was wealthy,
and of course lived in<style. was, at the
time Of this story. twenty. three years Of
age, and, if you will allow me, was con-
sidered handsome, at home and abroad,
wherever had been, and would sometimes
feel fattered by hearing this compliment
passed upon me, when it had boen spoken
a little louder than was intended.


BY the time had arrived at this point
in my own conjectures, and at the hight
Of my estimations, We were landed 10 the
evening at our destination. Being n stran-
ger In so large place, ! collected my
things together, and was thinking what |
should best do; concluded it was too late
to hunt up relations, so ordered a hack
man to take me to the nearest hotel. Az
ter being jolted along fora considerable
distance in no agreeable manner, We rein
cd up before large hotel. Allphtinp
from the hack. dropped Into the hand
Of the impatient hsckman his charges for
conveying myself and baggage thither. 1
entered at door which led into large
hall running the full length Of the house.
I observed door to my left, and upon
opening II, found myself In large bar.
room, which was then empty. | stepped
up TO the clerk and ordered supper aud
lodging for tho night, and registering my
name in the book that was pushed toward
me, was about 10 take a seat by the
open door, when the clerk informed me
that they were just eating, and TO pass In.
So l repaired to the diuing room, aud
was soon seated at one OF tho half dozen
tables which were plentifully laden With
eatablcs Of almost every description. BE-
ing pretty hungry. | rclishod my meal
very much. This l found TO bc so, for
almost every ono had finished their sup.
pers and returned to the bar room. IIav-
ing myself finished, also, l returned TO
tho bar.room, and lighting cigar, seated
myself again by the door.


Seeing daily by me, picked II up,
and had got fairly interested in it. when
the fire alarm bells rang out upon the even
ing. Scarcely had the last note died
away, when great crowd came thunder
lug pls uuh iu inOtntut Ntt III tUt bhE-
room jumped up and rushed out to join
the excited crowd, myself among them,
BY following the engine, aud keeping up
with the crowd, We were enabled thereby
TO find moro readily the doomed building
We reached the building, which was located
just in the suburbs Of the city. The
smoke was now to be seen curling out
from under the edge of the roof, md now,
as the light from the fre.engine lii up all
things around, noticed what fine large
house il was which seemed TO be doomed
to destruction. / was at this moment at
the back part of the house, watching tho
iiremen us they struggled with the flames,
for they had now burst out, aud il seemed
that, spite their efforts to drive them back
they were gaining. Ny heart almost sank
within me as | overheard one Of the 6rcmen
speaking in low tones as to the impossi-
bility of saving it, Just at this moment
observed in the second story Of the burn
ing building what seemed to me to be o
female form passing back and forth be.
hind the curiained window. Several more
had noticed il, aud the cry for ladder
was answered by one being pushed ny
towards the room she seemed TO be in. Nc
sooner had tho ladder been set down
than sprong upon ii aud ran to the top
The flames now datted round about me
and reached far down, as if to mako me
also their victim. | raised tho lower part oi
the window. when the top sash went crash
ing to the ground. l passed in, and
quicker than pen can describe 1t, was down
the ladder, bearing 10 my arms the now
almost liieess form, amid tho shouts ol
the people. | did not stop until | had
laid her softly on the sofa Of ono Of the
neighbors.


When | entered, thcro was, no ono In
tho room except an old lady, who, upon
seeing tho condition Of the one lying on
the sofa, asked mo what We had best do
for her. We thought cold water would be
the most eiloetual In her case, 80 II was
brought | sat bathing her temples with
tho cooling liquid, whom tho lady turned
on moro Of the gas, and ~ It shot out its
bright light u fell aeross tho one In my
charge, 10 mo tho most loving face | had
ever beheld How beautifully did those
golden tresses correspond with tho soft
blue eyes as they fell unrestrained round
about her shoulders. Now and then q
sweet smile would protrude from the
cornera Of her exquisitely shaped mouth,
and again lose itself, leaving the impress
sion within me that she was dreaming
How much longer had I sat thus gazing
upon her lovely face and form, cannot
tell, had Il not been for loud crash which
this instant fell upon my ears, making me
to hasten TO the door; aud on looking to-
wards the building. which had been stand
ing in all It's grandeur and beauty an hour
ago, perceived in its stead nothing bu
the ruins which lay scattered upon the
ground, this being the cause Of the crasl
which had induced me to come to the door


AsT noticed tho people all leaving ant
going to their homes, | thought that
should also return back to my stop ping
place, but first turned to take farewell
look at tho one had rescued. AS looked
upon her once more, took within ny
own her soft, white hand, pressed it gently
and bidding the lady which now sat b,
her side, good might, | retraced my step
to the hotel, but did not reach it withou
having some little difficulty in finding 1t
Once moro in the room which I had lef
so suddenly while before, glanced NJ
atthe regulator and perceived to my surpris'
that it was half.past one. Feeling tire,
and sleepy, | at once asked to be showi
to my room. The bell was answered by
-. Liz L.. ...no...ao .,stk l..,.