Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-08-06

II was yctily within a few feet of the floor
of the bridgc--and It's whole. foaming sur
face covered with logs and TIMBER brought
from above. The mill appeared hall mn
MERGED IN n boiling gulf, and then, IN n
moment while she was looking upon IT, and
terror was palsvinc her heart, II iottcrcd
aud wnNcrcd-and, tearing AWAY some of
the main supports oi the dam rs II was up
hcavcd from It's foundations, dam, mill, and
all, were dashed against the bridge. Wcdg-
ed ~ between the eternal rock that formed
lis abutmcnts, II partially closed the nntu.
raj channel, and the fast increasing waters
swellcd upwards-ayo, poured over the
bridgc-and swclcd aud swollcd ever, mo-
ment, until, forcing a way round on the side
by Mar,'s house which, YOU know, was on
the table-land, but a few feet above tho
level of the bridget came roaring on, aud
dividing a short distance above the house,
a part tumblod into the raviDc, while a part
poured down the slight concavity between
the house and the hill sidc--thc space being
about fifteen feet wide. III this, as say
was the work of n minute: and when Mary
found voice TO scream ".mother mother,
these lone females and children were isolat-
ed there in the ioaming waters, with none
10 counsel or To save
They rushed 10 the door; but tc have at
tempted TO force that furious current had
been madness 1t seemed death TO remain
too; for soon the stream was AT tho door
sll-and when Mary took in her arms the
last of the paralyzcd children TO convey il
up stairs, every football splashed in the wa
ter that now covered the floor They
screamed for help from the upper windows;
how the thunder of the torrent Knocked and
drowned their feeble voices Then the
hope of life being passed away, they knecl-
ed and prayed TO Almighty God to have
mercy on their souls.
BY this time the stream had so risen MS to
half fill the lower story of the house, and TO
conceal the bridge entirely, which, protect
ed by the logs by the blockade on the upper
side, still maintained its position. But this
made the situation of the females and tho
children more dangerous, for timber, logs,
and wrecks of buildings sailed furiously by
the house on either side, only prevented
from bearing it TO destruction with its pre-
cous contents, by "A tree that breasted their
onsets and partially diverted their course.
|, But now and then it failed TO check some
tumblng fragment, which Numbered against
the dwelling, shivcrlng the glass in the win
dows and making every timber shake in the
conclusion but making the poor hearts
within to shake and SILVER more.
BYE and bye, one iardy yillagcr after an
, other made his appearance on the bank a.
, boye, and, though not word they spoke
could be heard by Mary and her mother, in
, the fierce roaring, their frantic gesture too
, truly bespoke their horror, and cast deep
, or gloom upon the sufferers. Then Charles
appeared He darted down TO the edge Of
the water, then up again, casting his eyes
around in wildness, not knowing what to do.
What a sight for his eyes to behold -
, There knelt Mary by the window, pale as
death, with clasped hands and dshevcllcd
! hair looking upon him. and he helpless as
, an infant, in the face of that mighty danger!
, Yet he shouted to them TO hope still, in =.
voice whose trembling testified to his own
despair, and not sound of which reached
, her ears. Once or twice, in very madness,
he would have sprung into the torrent.
, but was held forcibly back by the villagers
Brady came too; and his comparative calm;
: ness formed strong contrast to the wild
I anxiety which Charles exhibited. lie at
. once declared that nothing could save them,
! and shook his head at every plan suggested
+ by one and another.
n at is yan-all vain" he cried again
e "tbey cannot be saved"
J. LIAR" cried Charles, with quiycring q
4 and starting tears, " she must, she shall ~
+, saved :" lie rushed once more 10 tle -
J, tcr's brink; cnce more would have plunKU
n in, and was again drawn back. Then riV
O ing his hands IN very agony, as huges
4 struck the house, and. crashing thrQngIs
G side, inclined il fearfuiIy, he burst
4 frenzied laugh as he exclaimed, ~
= | have I,--folow me, follow me r
r The village was half q mile dislanG
/. that he directed his rapid course, foil
4 by his towDsmen; the most regardin0
. now as a poor maniac--bui some,
4 whom the scarcely less maddencd pe[
: of the exposed children, he inspised3
A sudden hope. Charles paused, brcat3
: at the tall liberty pole on the green.
il down" he cried, lor beayen'tY
!. quick, quick or they are lost"
!. What will not mems energies neg
, in an emergency like this Th~
4 his fire of hope, they spraDg 20 t0ilsM