" Indifferently well."
" Well," sighed I, to myself, "she lovee another, so why should I care ? "
Half-past seven, and the rushing, roll ing, rumbling cars, were bearing us swift ly away. Fifteen minutes more, and the city of our nativity had faded from our view, perhaps forever.
W T e were speeding on ward- -thirty miles per hour westward ho ! for Oregon.
u
THE PRAIRIE FLOWER; OR
CHAPTER III.
REFLECTIONS THE GREAT METROPOLIS
T1IK WORM) IN MINIATURE THE NATION AL THEATER T ALARM FIRE AWFUL
PEKIL PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE, ETC.
STEAMBOATS and railroads ! what mighty inven lions ! With what startling velocity they hurry us along, until even the over charged mind almost feels it lacks the power to keep pace with their progress. Whoever has passed over the Boston and Providence route to New York, will under stand me. One mile-post succeeds an other with a rapidity almost incredible ; and ere he, who travels it for the tirst time, is aware that half the distance is completed, he finds himself in view of the capital of old Rhode Island.
So it was with myself. I had never been from home, and knew little of the speed with which the adventurer is car ried across this mighty continent. I had beard men speak of it, it is true ; but I had never realized it till now. Perhaps I was longer on the road than I imagined. When the heart is full, we take but little note of external objects, or the flight of time time which is bearing us to the great ocean of eternity. My mind was oppressed and busy. 1 was thinking of home, of fond parents I had left behind, and all the joys of childhood, which I eould never witness again. A thousand things, a thousand scenes, which I had never thought of before, now crowded my brain with a vividness that startled me. They were gone now forever gone ! I I had bid them a last adieu. With one bold leap, I had thrown off youth and become a man a man to think and act for myself. My collegiate days, too, were over days which memory now recalled with sad and painful feelings.
True, my playmate, my fellow student, my chum, my friend, was by my side. But he, too, was sad and thoughtful. He, too, was thinking of home and friends, the domestic happy fireside, and all that he had left behind. His wonted gaiety, his great flow of spirits, his enthusiasm, were gone ; and he was silent now dumb as a carved image in marble.
I gazed upon him, and my the ugh U
ew heavier, sadder. He was now so like Lilian sweet, loved, but ah! dis carded Lilian ! How could I avoid think ing of her, when I gazed upon the pale, sad features of her only brother ! I did think of her ; of how I had left her ; and now that miles were gaining between us, I bitterly accused myself of injustice. Why did I leave her so abruptly, and in such a condition ? My heart smote me, I had wronged her wronged her at the moment of parting, and put reparation out of my power. Why had I done so ? Why did I not part with her as a friend ? If she did not love me, it was not her fault, and I had no right to abuse her. I had acted hastily, imprudently, unjustly. I knew it I felt it felt it keenly ; and, oh ! what would I not have sacrificed for one, even one, moment with her, to sue for pardon. Alas ! alas ! my reflections on my conduct had come too late too late.
Thus I thought, and thus I felt, while time and progress were alike unnoted, un- cared for. What cared I now for time ? what cared I now for speed ? My mind was a hell of torture almost beyond endu rance, and I only sought to escape myself but sought in vain.
"Passengers for the steamboat," were the first sounds that aroused me from a painful reverie.
I looked up with a start, and lo ! I was in the heart of the city, and hundreds were round me. The cars had ceased their motion, and one destination waa gained. At first I could not credit my senses. There must be some mistake we were in the wrong city ! But I waa soon convinced of my error ; and found, alas ! that all was too truly, too coldly correct ; for on the impulse of the mo ment, I had counted on a return to my native soil, and and I will not say what else.
I roused my friend, who also looked wonderingly about him as if suddenly awakened from a dream, and heaved a t long, deep sigh a dirge to buried scene* and friends away. Mechanically we en tered a carriage, were hurried to the boat, and soon were gliding over the deep blue waters of Long Island Sound.
ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST.
15
Early the next morning T beheld, for the first time, the lofty spires of that great Babylon of America, ycleped New York. What a place of business, bustle, and con fusion ! What hurrying to and fro ! What rushing, scrambling, crowding, each bent on his own selfish end, and caring nothing
' O O
for his neighbor, but all for his neighbor's purse ! How cold the faces of the citizens seem to a stranger ! There are no wel come smiles no kind greetings all are wrapped up in their own pursuits : and he feels at once, although surrounded by thousands, that he is now indeed alone, without a friend, save such as can be "bought.
On the ocean, on the prairie, or in the forest, man is not alone ; he does not feel alone ; for he is with Nature in all her wildness in all her beauty ; and she ever has a voice, which reaches his inner heart, and, in sweet companionship, whispers him to behold her wonders, and through her look up to the Author of all her God and his ' But in the great city it is differ ent vastly different. Here all is artifi cial, studied, and cold ; and as we gaze Upon the thousands that throng the streets, and mark the selfish expressions on the faes of each, we feel an inward loathing, a disgust for mankind, and long to steal away to some quiet spot and commune with our own thoughts in silence.
Such were my reflections, as the rum bling vehicle whirled me over the pave ments to that prince of hotels, (in name and wealth at least) the Astor House. True, I had been born and brought up in a city ; but still these rriatters "ted never forced themselves so strongly' updn my mind as now. I was a stranger in a strange city, and, with my otherwise misanthropic feelings, I doubly felt them in all their force.
The window of the apartment assigned me at the Astor House, looked out upon that world-renowned thoroughfare, Broad way. Dinner over, I seated myself at the casement and gazed forth. What a world in miniature was spread before my eyes What a whirlpool of confusion and excite ment ! Before me, a little to my left, was the Park its trees beautifully decorated with the flowers and leaves of spring, and te many -winding walks thronged with
human beings. From out its center rose the City Hall the hall of justice. Along one side ran Broadway along the other. Park Row.but shooting off at an angle from the main thoroughfare of the former both crowded with carriages of all de scriptions, from the splendid vehicle of fashion, with its servants in livery, and its silver-trimmed harness, down to the common dray crowded with footmen, from the prince to the beggar, all hurrying and jostling together. Here sauntered the lady and gentlemai of fashion, robed in the most costly apparel money could pro cure, bedecked with diamonds and gold, sapphire and ruby; there, side by side, on the same pavement, aknost touching them, stroled the poor, forlorn, pale-faced, hol low-eyed mendicant, partially clothed in filthy rags, and perhaps actually dying for a morsel of food. Great Heaven ! what a comment on humanity !
I have mentioned only the extremes ; but fancy both sexes of all grades, sizes, and nations between and you have a pic ture which no city on the American con tinent save New York can present.
The evening found my friend and my self at the National Theatre then new, splendidly decorated, and in successful operation. It was crowded almost to suf focation with the elite of the city. Round ed arms and splendid busts, set off" with jewels rosy cheeks, and sparkling eyes, were displayed on every hand, by the bewitching light of magnificent glass-tas- selled chandeliers. But of these I took lit tle note. My attention was fixed upon the play. It was that impassioned crea tion of Shakspeare, Romeo and Juliet. My mind was just in a condition to feel the burning words of the lovers in all their force ; and I concentrated my whole soul upon it, listened every word, watched every motion, to the exclusion of every thing else. The . first and second acts
were already over, and the last scene of the third, the parting between the lovers, was on the stage. A breathless silence reigned around. Every eye was fixed upon the players every head inclined a little forward, to catch the slightest tones of the speakers. Already had the ardent and unfortunate Romeo sighed the tender words :
16
THE PRAIRIE FLOWER; OR,
" Farewell ! I will omit no opportunity That may convey my greetings, love, to tliee ; '*
and the answer of Juliet,
" O, think'st thou, we shall ever meet again? "
was even trembling on her lips when, suddenly, to the consternation and horror of all, there arose the terrific cry of,
" Fire ! fir 3 ! the theatre is on fire ! "
Heavens ! what a scene ensued and what feelings came over me ! Never shall I forget either. In a moment all was frightful confusion, as each sought to gain the street. Startling shrieks, appalling yells, and hideous groans, resounded on all sides. Hundreds, I might say thou sands, rushed pell-mell to the doors, to es cape the devouring element, which, already lapping the combustible scenery, was seen shooting upward its lurid tongues, and heard hissing, and snapping, and crackling, in its rapid progress over the devoted build ing. I grasped the arm of my friend, and cried : " Rush, Charley, for your life ! " and sprang forward.
The next moment I felt myself seized from behind, and the voice of my friend Khouted in my ear :
' ' Hold ! Frank we must save her ! "
"Whom?"
" Yonder! See ! they have crowded her back ! and now great God ! she has fallen over into the pit ! "
I looked in the direction indicated by the finger of Huntly, and beheld a beau tiful female, vainly struggling to reach the door. As he spoke, a sudden rush for ward crowded her back to the railing which divided her from the excited mass of beings in the pit. One moment she balanced on the railing, and the next, with a cry of terror, fell upon the heads of those below. At any other time she would ,have been cared for ; but now all were wild with terror, and thought only of themselves ; and instead of seeking to aid, they allowed her to sink under their feet. Save my friend and I, no one seemed to heed her. With a cry of horror, I leaped forward to rescue her from a horri ble death But my friend was already before me. One bound, and Charles Huntly was among the wedged mass be low, and exerting all his strength to reach the prostrate form of the lady, who was
now being trod to death under the feet of the rushing multitude. I would have sprang over the railing myself, but I saw it would be useless ; one was better than two ; and I paused and watched the pro gress of my friend with an anxiety better imagined than described.
So dense was the mass, so closely wedged, that for a time all the efforts of Huntly to reach the unfortunate creature were vain ; while the glaring light, and the roar of the flames, as they eagerly leaped forward to the dome over headj rendered the scene truly dismal and awful.
At length the crowd grew thinner, as it poured through the open doorway ; and renewing his exertions, my friend shortly gained the side of the unknown. He stooped down to raise her, and I trembled for his safety, for I saw numbers fairly pressing upon him. "With a Herculean effort, that must Lave 'exhausted all his animal powers, I beheld him rise to his feet, with the fair unknown seemingly lifeless in his arms. I uttered a cry of joy, as he staggered toward me with his burden.
"Quick! quick! this way give her here ! " I shouted, bending over the rail ing and extending my arms toward her.
Huntly staggered forward, and the next moment my grasp was upon her, and she was in my arms.
" Fly ! Frank fast for God's sake ! and give her air ! " gasped Huntly, in a faint, exhausted tone.
I cast one glance at her pale, lovely fea tures, on which were a few spots of blood, from a contusion on the head, and then darted over the benches to the door, bid ding my friend follow, but looking not behind.
The boxes were now empty, and the doors but slightly blocked, so that I had little difficult y, to use a stage expression, in making my exit. The street, however, was crowded with those just escaped, and others attracted hither by the alarm of tire. All was excitement and dismay. Parents were rushing to and fro, seeking their children children their parents ; wives and maidens their husbands and lovers, and vice versa.
I pushed my way through the crowd as best I could, with my lovely burden in my arms, and at length reached the opposiU
ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST.
ado-walk, where I paused to rest, and, if possible, to restore the fair one to con sciousness. As I began chafing her tem ples, I heard a female voice shriek, in agonizing tones :
" Good God ! will no one save my child - my only child my daughter the idol of my heart ! "
! looked around me, and beheld, by the light of the burning building,? middle- aged female, richly clad, only a iV-w paces distant, violently wringing 'her hands, in mental agony, and looking imploringly, first, at the already trembling structure, and then into trie faces of the bystanders, as if in search of an answer to her heart rending appeal.
" Oh God! oh God! save her! save her ! she must not, shall not die ! I will give a thousand dollars for her life ! "
A thought struck me. Perhaps she was die mother of the senseless being I held ; and instantly I raised her in my arms and darted forward.
" Is this your daughter, lady ? " I cried, as I came up.
She looked wildly about her one pain ful glance and then, with a shriek, sprang to and threw her arms around the fair creature's neck, and burst into tears.
".God ! I thank thee ! " were the, first . articulate words from her now quivering lips. "I have got my daughter again ! " and snatching her from my arms, she pressed kiss after kiss upon her lips, with all the wild, passionate fondness of a mo ther. "Ha! is she dead ?" she cried, with a look of horror, appealing to me.
" Only fainted," was my reply, made at a venture, for I dared not confirm my own fears.
" Yes ! yes ! God be praised ! I see ! I see ! She is returning to consciousness. But this blood this wound ?"
" A slight fall," I answered.
" And you, sir you? I promised a thou sand dollars. Here is part, and my card
Call to-night, or to-morrow, at (I
failed to catch the name) and the balance shall be yours."
" I did" not save her for money ; in fact, I did not save her at all it was my friend," I replied, taking from her extended hand the card, but refusing the purse which it ilso held.
" And where is your friend ?" she asked, breathlessly.
Heavens ! what a shock her Avords pro duced ! Where was my friend, indeed ! 1 looked hurriedly around, among the swny- ing multitude, but saw nothing of Charles Huntly. A terrible thought seized me. Perhaps he had -not made his escape ! I cast one glance at the burning pile, and, to my consignation, beheld the flames ai ready bursting from the roof. Had he es- 'caped ? and if not if not ! great God, what a thought ! I waited to say, to hear no more, but turned and rushed into the swaying mass, shouting the name of my schoolmate. No answer was returned. I shouted louder but still heard not his well known voice. Great God ! what feelings came over me ! pen cannot describe them. Onward, onward, still I pressed onward, and shouted at every step but, alas! no answer.
At length I reached the door of the the atre leading to the boxes. It was filled with smoke, passing outward, through which I could catch glimpses of the de vouring flames, and hear their awful roar. One pause an instant only and with his name upon my lips, I darted into the shak ing building. I gained the boxes, and found the heat of the flames almost un bearable. They had already reached the railing nearest the stage, and overhead had eaten through the roof, from which burning cinders were dropping upon the blazing benches in the pit. The smoke was stifling, and I could scarcely breathe. I looked down where I had last seen my friend, and beheld a dark object on the floor. I called Huntly by name, in a voice of agony. -Meto ought the object stirred, and I fancied I heard a groan. The next moment I was in the pit, bending over
the object. Gracious God ! it was Huntly ! From some cause he had not been able to escape. Instantly I raised him in my arms, and, with a tremendous effort, threw him into the boxes. I attempted to follow, but failed The smoke was proving too much, for me, and the heat becoming intense. Again I tried, with like success, fbegau to feel dizy, and faint, and thought I was perishing. I sank back and looked up at the roof. I could see it trembling. . A few moments, and it would be upon me. God of Heaven ! what a death 1
THE PRAIRIE FLOWER; OR,
At this moment of despair, I felt a cur rent of air rushing in upon me. It revived me, and I made a third attempt to clamber into the boxes. Joy ! joy ! I succeed ed. I caught hold of Charles, and, with my remaining strength, dragged him to the door, and into the open air. Some five or six persons now rushed to my assistance, and in another moment I had gained the opposite side of the street. As I did so, I heard a thundering noise behind me. I turned quickly round, and no pen can describe my feelings when I understood the cause. The roof of the building had fallen in, and bright sheets of flame, and burning cinders, were shooting upward on the dark pall of the arching heavens. I had just escaped with my life ; and if ever I uttered a prayer of sincere gratitude to the Author of my being, it was then.
As I stood gazing upon the remainder of the structure, I saw the walls totter ; and ere I had time to move from the spot, the front wall went down, with a thundering sound, and lay a pile of smoking ruins a part falling inward, and a part outward. The heat was now excessive ; and as I sought to bear my unconscious friend fur ther from the fire, the side walls plunged inward, leaving only the back wall stand ing. This now seemed to waver totter and then, great Heaven ! it fell outward, upon an adjoining building, crushing in the roof, and, as I afterward learned, killing one of its inmates almost instantly.
Bennett, Emerson - Prairie Flower 01 Page 3
