Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
[Illustration: "HE MAY GET LOST IN THE STORM."]
The Works of E. P. Roe
VOLUME FIVE
BARRIERS BURNED AWAY
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington
COPYRIGHT, 1882
COPYRIGHT, 1885
COPYRIGHT, 1892
COPYRIGHT, 1900,
This Book
IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
I shall say but few words in regard to this first child of myimagination.
About one year ago our hearts were in deepest sympathy with ourfellow-citizens of Chicago, and it occurred to me that their losses,sufferings, and fortitude might teach lessons after the echoes of theappalling event had died away in the press; and that even the luridand destructive flames might reveal with greater vividness the needand value of Christian faith.
I spent some days among the smouldering ruins, and then began thefollowing simple story, which has grown into larger proportions thanI at first intended. But comparatively a small part of the narrativeis occupied with the fire, for its scenes are beyond description, andtoo strange and terrible to be dwelt upon. Therefore the thread of mystory is carried rapidly through that period of unparalleled excitementand disaster.
Nearly all the scenes introduced are historical, and are employed togive their terrible emphasis to that which is equally true in theserenest and securest times.