The Angel Ministers.

The entirely destitute condition in which Mrs . Fitzgibbon had been carried to this hospital , together with the fact of her being iu a raging fever at the time , precluded the possibility of knoAving anything of her circumstances , save what was

gleaned from little Nettie . She of course , like all children , was ready to tell Avhat she knew , ancl she bad told the nuns that " Pa ancl Ma , Avith Grandpa and Robbie ancl herself , made their famil y , and that they were all burnt up in that terrible

boat , save Ma and me . " Many will call to mind that fearful collision of the America ancl United States on the Ohio River . It A \ -as the most shocking ancl dreadful sight ever witnessed on any of our western waters .

It was a little after midni ght when the tAvo boats came together . The passengers , of which there were many , Avere all asleep in their state rooms at that time , dreaming nothing of their horrible impending fates . The descending boat being heavilladen

y Avith coal oil , in an instant Avas enwrapt in flames , and the two mammoth steamboats , thus locked together , were at once one grand sheet of devouring fire , for the crash

of the terrible collision had dashed the coal oil barrels to pieces , and the liquid ran out over the Avater in burning streams , making a most fri ghtful sea of death and lapping flames . The screams of the perishing passengers , ancl the confused noises of the

frightened creAv , together with the involuntary workings of the struggling engines , made the entire scene one of unmitigated horror . On the upward bound steamer , the Fitzgibbon family had taken passage the

evening before , hoping to reach Cincinnati in time for the morning train East . At ten o ' clock they retired to their state rooms for their ni ght slumbers , ancl Avhen the crash came , they Avere ivith the exception of Mrs . Fitzgibbon , all asleep . Of course she did

not know what had happened , yet she kneAv it Avas something terrible , for she felt as if the boat Avas slipping from under her . She sprang to her feet and seized her little Nettie in her arms , and holding her as with a death ripshe endeavoured to

g , arouse her husband and Robbie . Pier father , old Mr . Rothfield , Avas in another state room , and Mr . Fitzgibbon Avith Robbie Aventto look after him , which Avas thelast Mrs . Fitzgibbon saAV of her husband or son .

In tho excitement of the Avild and fearful moment she Avas seized by the arm by some one AVIIO fairly forced her to the stem of the boat , where she Avas told to jump to the deck of the other , which she did Avithout thought ot consequences ; yet ,

lighting fairly on her feet , she still held her child in her arms , and in a few minutes more of frightful struggle she was across the boat and on the Kentucky shore , out of reach of the oncoming flames . The sudden ancl terrible reality of so

fearful a collision had seemingly deprived even tbe stoutest of their self-possession , and many perished in tbe flames , or found a watery grave , who Avith the smallest guidance might have safely escaped . What Avas the fate of her husband , son ,

ancl father , Mrs . Fitzgibbon , in the dire confusion , could not learn a word , ancl frantic Avith grief , and almost dead with the horrible excitement of the hour , she Avas compelled to lie CIOAVU on the bare ground in her niht clothesAvhere she remained

g , until she fainted aAvay with the over-Avhelmingand surging grief which consumed her spirit . When she aAvoke she found she Avas on

a steamer bound for Louisville , Avith only her little Nettie by her side . But before she reached the destination of the boat she Avas Avild Avith a raging fever aud wholly unconscious of all her misfortunes . Fitful and spasmodic emotions of disturbed grief Avere her only manifestations . But diligent

ancl affectionate , and wonderfully selfpossessed far beyond her years , little Nettie sat fanning her mother , while the big tears Avhich stood in her heavenly eyes told of her deep realisation of the SAveeping bereavementuntil the boat reached the

, wharf at Louisville . In a brief period a close carriage conveyed them to thehosjfital , Avhere for so many long weeks the door of the world seemed to be shut against them . Yet IIOAV true it is , that the silver lining of life ancl hope often skirts the darkest

clouds which come over us . The Aveight of darkness is not , after all , so heavy as imaginary dreams often make them . The hand of Providence , indeed , is ever merciful , and it is only Avhen Ave get out of that hand that misfortune overtakes us . Life

itself is always a season of trial , of educational subordination , where the true light shoAvs that we are always cared for , always Avatched over and dealt Avith , ultimatel y ,