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51

when the flames swept down upon us that fore-noon the house, although of brick and stone was soon but a pile of smouldering ruins with everything in it consumed. But we had many helpers of our own servants and the coachmen and gardner and men from my Fathers store. Everything was carried across the avenue into the crowded Park. There was disorder and looting, but in the main everybody was in common misery. I remember that the last thing I had taken from the house was my shot-gun which was loaded. Later while I was working to gather our belongings and lump them together in the Park my Father came to me and said I should accompany Mrs Tulth up the Avenue to the Burton's house which lay beyond the limit of the fire.