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though at first we did not know but what we were penniless with thousands of others. Oh Mother, I am so glad you were not here, for such a "reign of terror" was never known. We were awakened Sunday night just before twelve by Frankie. She came running down 'stairs' is written but crossed out to our room and wanted me to go up and see the fire from her room. There was light enough to read by there. We supposed it was burning somewhere near the fire of the night before (which you heard burned over 'over' inserted by caret twenty acres) and thought it too far away to have the least fear for our safety. At last the bells began to ring furiously from all parts of the city, tugs screamed, and all the propeller whistles were blowing at once, so Chalkley thought something terrible was happening so dressed and went down town As soon as he went away we began to pack some of the valuables laughing at ourselves while doing it, but at last got so much alarmed that we worked with a will. The sparks and large pieces of burning wood had been flying all around the house for an hour and a half and at quarter past two came in a perfect shower and at half past a policeman came and told us to hurry for our lives. Chalkley was not home and we were nearly distracted, but he