A cry arose from the crowd as they saw
him disappear once more, and several hardy youths sprang up the
ladders, determined to bring him out by force, but, ere they could
enter the naming pile, a loud shriek met their ears as the floor
gave way, hurling the poor old notary into the dreadful pit of fire.
All efforts to do anything further were now unavailing, and the
firemen directed their energies to protecting the neighboring
buildings, and preventing the fire from spreading.
The young men were at first puzzled what to do with the two girls
whom they had rescued, and who were now orphans, without parents,
money, or even clothes, but some Sisters of Charity, who had
witnessed the heroic action, came forward and offered to take them
in charge. The good sisters took the children to the convent, and
provided them with both food and clothes, intending to educate them
and bring them up in the Catholic faith, but some Protestant ladies,
members of the congregation to which Mr. Wilson had belonged, having
heard of the affair, induced the clergyman to call and obtain
possession of the orphans, they undertaking to provide the cost of
their maintenance, or to find them homes in Protestant families.
By the time the Rev. Mr. Flood called at the nunnery the children
had dried their tears, and were beginning to feel quite at home.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113