Here and there a note
of warning was sounded; but, if heeded by any, it came too late.
There followed a brief pause, in which people held their breaths.
Then came another flash, and another rattling peal. Heavy clouds
began to roll up from the horizon; and soon the whole sky was dark.
Pale face looked into pale face, and tremulous voices asked as to
what was coming. Fear and consternation were in all hearts. It was
too late for any to seek refuge or shelter. Ere the startled
multitudes had stirred from their first surprised position, the
tempest came down in its fury, sweeping, tornado-like, from West to
East, and then into one grand gyration circling the whole horizon.
Men lost courage, confidence, and hope. They stood still while the
storm beat down, and the fearful work of destruction went on.
No commercial disaster like this had ever before visited our
country. Houses that stood unmoved through many fierce convulsions
went down like brittle reeds, and old Corporations which were
thought to be as immovable as the hills tottered and fell, crushing
hundreds amid their gigantic ruins.
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