Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-08-12

from the pile in the corner of the hearth,
and after lighting lantern. she carefully
extipguished the FIRE in the chimney
On ,iptoe she approached the couch OF
Grace, pressed trembling kiss on the
rosy lips, drew the covering more close
ly about the little form, and commend.
ing the innocent sleeper to the care Of
Heaven. she cautiously opened the door
and passed out.
The air was thick and dark, and the
winds swept down from the mountains
with demoniac fury. She needed moth
ing. but hurried down the steep path as
swiftly as her burdened state would
allow. The basket of knots was heavy,
and her arm ached beneath the load, but
she pressed bravely on. From one slip
perry rock to another she made her way.
until at last she stood upon the bank OF
the river.
Oh. how black and terrible was that
tossing waste Of water The foam
capped waves leaped up madly against
the rocky shore, and the roaring Of their
voices was like the muttering Of distant
thunder. There were brave hearts
around the hills Of Pentland-but few
would have venturcd the passage Of Mad
River that night.
Uttering one wild prayer for strength,
Rachel unbound the ropes which held
the frail raft used for crossing the stream
TO the giant cak upon the bank; and
then depositing her lantern and basket
upon the barque. she stepped on her
self, seized the longhandled oar and
pushed off
Oh, but it was a fearful conflict be.
tween the dreadful waters and the stern
courage which lent strength to the arms
of that heroic girl Once h.r hear,
grew faint with womanly fear, but a
though, Of what she went to accomplish,
nervcd her on, and she cast all fear
away.
Now she was borne along with light
ning-like velocity-.hen the raft glided
smoothly and gently-again, in the
embrace of treacherous whirlpool it
nearly engulphed-but at last. oh. JOY !.
it struck violently point of land =
With few vigorous strokes OF the oar,
Rachel sent the raft up dry upon the
beach. and seizins her basket and lantern
she rushed on in the direction of the
ruined bridge.
1t was as she expected. The whole
vast structure had been torn away, and
the water dashed through the fearful
gorge win appalling rapidity. one
shudde-ed as she gazed for a moment
down into the boiling black depth
what if she were too late
She fancied that even then she heard
the whistle of the coming locomotive.
and caught the gleam of the great lamp
upon its front. But no, it was only
her Imagination; and pilins the faggots
upon the track, she applied the light
from her lantern. 1t did not ignite -
dampness had rendered the wood in
comoustible to the heat which she was
able to give. She tore off her cotton
shawl and cast it on the pile. A faint
stream of light shot up,then broad ludid
glow, and almost instantaneously the fire
laid hold on the turpentne of the knots,
and the whole country was illumined in
the radiance.
THANK Go - burst involuutarily
from Rachels lips.
She brought brush wood from the
forest and piled upon the FIRE; and as the
red tongues Of fame rose higher and
higher, so the stream Of thankiulness in
the girls bosom flowed frecr and strong
er up to tina. Power whose instrument
she was.
Patiently she stood in the cold and
wet; the rain beating heavily on her
uncovered head and shoulders, and
dripping down the wavy masses of her
soft, brown hair.
Meanwhile she piled the fire with
everything combustible upon which she
could lay waiting and hoping
until at last she heard afar off the shrill
whistle Of the approaching train.
On it came. that black winged monster,
rumbling and snorting up the rugged
valley. with its vast freight Of human
life behind ! The. speed was frigh.ful.
| Au0 IVg WOLucut 4SdVu0l IcaIcO IuAt
her signal would not bs noticed; the
next instant the sharp whistle of alarm
rang out loud and clear-the Kissing
steam rushed forth hot and fiery. the
engine was reversed. and with a shock
like that Of an earthquake. the train was
brought to dead halt on the very brink
Of the gorge!
From those long, dark cars hundreds
of human beings came pouring out,
alarmed by the sudden stoppage. and
perhaps wakened from sound sleep by
the violence of the shock.
'Oh, but there was deep horror on
their faces, and strange trembling at
their hearts. when, gazing down that
black abyss, they saw the grave which
has been theirs but for the efforts Of that
pale-faced girl.
On, how they crowded around her
with their warm admiration-how en-
Enthusiastically they thanked and praised
her for what she had doae; what fervent
blessing they called down her head =
Women's beautiful faces streamei with
tears at the thought Of her brave daring;
and swarthy mems hearts beat quicker
and stronger as in fancy, they saw her
tossing out on frail raft at the mercy
of that furious river to save them from
destruction.
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