It was a most exciting moment , as we hung there , watching the gallant men fix the long ladder , and one come climbing up till we could see his brave face , and hear him shout cheerily , -- '' ` Swing from the window-sill , I 'll catch you . ' `` But Cora answered , as she showed the little yellow head that shone in the red glare , -- '' ` No , save the child first ! ' '' ` Drop her then , and be quick : it 's hot work here , ' and the man held up his arms with a laugh , as the flames licked out below as if to eat away the frail support he stood on . `` All in one breathless moment , Cora had torn off the mantle , wrapped the child in it , bound her girdle about it , and finding the gaudy band would not tie , caught out the first pin that came to hand , and fastened it . I was that pin ; and I felt that the child 's life almost depended upon me , for as the precious bundle dropped into the man 's hands he caught it by the cloak , and , putting it on his shoulder , went swiftly down . The belt strained , the velvet tore , I felt myself bending with the weight , and expected every minute to see the child slip , and fall on the stones below . But I held fast , I drove my point deeply in , I twisted myself round so that even the bend should be a help , and I called to the man , ` Hold tight , I 'm trying my best , but what can one pin do ! ' `` Of course he did not hear me , but I really believe my desperate efforts were of some use ; for , we got safely down , and were hurried away to the hospital where other poor souls had already gone . `` The good nurse who undid that scorched , drenched , and pitiful bundle , stuck me in her shawl , and resting there , I saw the poor child laid in a little bed , her burns skilfully cared for , and her scattered senses restored by tender words and motherly kisses . How glad I was to hear that she would live , and still more rejoiced to learn next day that Cora was near by , badly burned but not in danger , and anxious to see the child she had saved . `` Nurse Benson took the little thing in her arms to visit my poor mistress , and I went too . But alas ! I never should have known the gay and blooming girl of the day before . Her face and hands were terribly burnt , and she would never again be able to play the lovely queen on any stage , for her fresh beauty was forever lost . `` Hard days for all of us ; I took my share of trouble with the rest , though I only suffered from the strain to my back . Nurse Benson straightened me out and kept me in use , so I saw much of pain and patience in that great house , because the little gray shawl which I fastened covered a tender heart , and on that motherly bosom many aching heads found rest , many weary creatures breathed their last , and more than one unhappy soul learned to submit . `` Among these last was poor Cora , for it was very hard to give up beauty , health , and the life she loved , so soon . Yet I do not think she ever regretted the sacrifice when she saw the grateful child well and safe , for little Sally was her best comforter , and through the long weeks she lay there half blind and suffering , the daily visit of the little one cheered her more than anything else . The poor mother was lost in the great fire , and Cora adopted the orphan as her own , and surely she had a right to what she had so dearly bought . `` They went away together at last , one quite well and strong again , the other a sad wreck , but a better woman for the trial , I think , and she carried comfort with her .
Poor little XXXXX led her , a faithful guide , a tender nurse , a devoted daughter to her all her life . ''
Benson Cora Sally burns comforter daily fall fire right weeks