The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-06-29


water.
Mr. Stanton soon joined the crowd that was
fast collecting on the bluff.
H was tall, gpnllrmanly person, apparent
Iy sixty years OF age. He was dressed with
Scrupuous care, and carried gold headed cane.
[ learned he was one OF the most wealthy citi-
Zens of the town, retired merchant, whose
ample fortune was invested in banking houses
and real estate. His family consisted of his
wife somewhat younger than hmself-and an
only son just entering on manhood. The death
of brother-in-law, whose wife had died some
time before, left him the natural protector of
two nieces and a nephew. Mrs. Stanton and
her son had gone to bring them home, and they
were the persons now on the island, and in such
desperate need OF Succor.
The current of the Missouri, always rapid,
renders boating upon 1t aborous and un-
pleasant; and consequently, few boats pro-
PEELED by oars are TO be found upon its wa
terS.
A steamer was expected about noon, on her
upward trip, and is it was certain that the is
land would resist the action of the water till
that time, it was resolved to await the arrival
of the boat.
The construction Of raft was proposed, but
Il was thought doubtful whether one could br
propelled across the river. Others proposed
sendng to a neghboring town for Small Sklh
which was known TO be there. But as that
would occupy several hours, it was sand that
The steamer would be at the landing before the
Skiff could be brought. About ten O'Clock, a
heavy shower drove the spectators to shelter.
The ram continued till afternoon, when it sud
denly ceased, and the sun shone out rightly.
Though the streets were miry, and the ground
wet and unpleasant, The tops Of the bluff and
the space about the landing were soon crowded
with people. About one-thHd of the island had
disappeared within three hours previous, and
the water was now rushing furousiy along
within few feet of the veranda, which ex-
tended along the east side OF the hotel
A part of the foundation of the warehouse,
which stood a little above the hotel, and very
near it, had been washed away, and the huge
building was slowly sinking into the river
.irs. Stanton and her son were standing at one
end of the veran la, and her nieces and nephew
m a group by themselves, little apart. By
the aid OF my glass, | could see them quite dis
distinctly. The gIrls We're apparently OF the
ages OF eighteen and fifteen, and the boy much
younger, probably not more than eight years OF
age.
They all looked earnestly at the crowds of
people who filled The hin tops AID lined the
streets about the landing. Mira. Stanton seem
ed more agitated than the others, and | could
see iIom the frequent movement OF her hand
kerchIef that she was weeping. The young
man was restless, and moved about nervOuslv,
glancing from the crumbIing island to the land.
ing opposite, aud then looking up and down
the river, as If for the appearance OF steamer.
The young ladies' remained motlonIesS, stand
ing side by SIDE, with their brother leaning up
on the railing before them.
A terrible fear that the steamer might be de-
tanned, and not arrive that day, now began to
come upon the spectators. Mr.. Stanton was
thoroughly alarmed, and dispatched a wagon to
bring up the skff that was at i landing some
distance below the town. 1t would require less
time to bring it up in that manner than it
would to row it up against the current on the
river. The driver and attendant were urged 10
hasten TO the utmost OF their speed, but it was
nearly tWo o'clock when they started. Serious
fears began to be felt for the safety OF the I'M
priSoned family, and the arrival of the steamer
was still anXlously looked for but hour after
hour passed, and nothing save the broad, rush
ing waste OF water could be seen. Hour after
passed by, and the people looked, and wonder
ed, and sympathized IN vain.
The waters rose steadily, and the little island
was fast yielding to their constant rushing, and
wearing away before our eyes, while the i'm
prlsoned travellers watched aud waited some
sign of coming dellverance, but watched and
waited in vain. The clouds again hid the sun
and fearful looking storm began to rise in the
northeast.
1t was almost sunset when the skif arrived.
The hundreds of people who had been watching
till then from the hill-tops, now fastened down
TO the landing, anxious to see the Skf aaoat,
and to meet the rescued family when they
should come to land.
| went down the hill with the crowd. A
stranger, whom had not seen before, came a
long By my side. He was probably twenty-five
years Of age, OF medium SIZE, very plainly dres-
sed, bat with the unmstakabIe air and MANNERS
OF gentleman. | observed that his eyes and
halr were both brown, and that he had care
worn and Weared expression. We walked
on in silence for moment, aud then he
spoke
"This has been a long, weary day for these
people"
[ made some common-pl place reply, and he
continued
ssHow many spend their whole lives in
similar manner-n fear, and doubt, and agony
watching, and waiting and praying for the
deliverance that will never come -
| looked at him in surprise. He noticed it,
and added
"Physica dangers and sufftrings are often
terrible but they have :his alevation-they
secure to the sufferer the sympathy OF those a
round him but mental anguish is not visible,
and must be borne alone. Many men and wo-
men, too, will risk their lives to rescue a hu-
,no 'ba;r, Iror, Jap1pr and ds,rass I,k.. thIc -