The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-12
THE GREAT DROUGHT.
CHAPTER I.

In the spring ana summer OF IS, rain began
to fall, and the first things that perished for
want Of water died that year. But the mOis-
ture of the earth was still abundant, and the
plants which took deep root found ustcnance
below, 20 that the forest trees showed an abnn
dance OF foliage, and the harvest in some
kinds was plentiful. Towards the autumn.
rain returned again, and every thing appeared
to be recovering its former order; but the dry
winter, dry spring, dry summer of next year,
told on the face of creation. Many trees put
forth small and scanty leaves, and many per
ished altogether; whole species Were cut Off:
for instance, except where they were artiti-
cially preserved, one cOnld not find 4 living
ash or beech: few were kept alive by means Of
man, for water began to be boarded for the
necessaries Of life. The wheat was watered,
and, where such thing was possible, the hay
fields also +: but numbers OF animals died, and
numbers We're killed this year-the first from
thirst and the last to reduce the consumers Of
the precious element. Still the rich commanded
the necessaries and many of the luXuries of
life; and the arts which required Il cOnsump-
tiOn OF water were carried Oh as yet, and con-
tinucd i'll practice even longer than prudence
warrante<i--sO strong was the force of habit
and the pressure OF tho artificial necessities
which they supplied The railroads We're, rs
yet, In activity, and when water failed along
the line, it was brought from the sea by the
rich companies concerned in the traffic ; only
the fares We're raised, and the trains which
ran for pleasure merely were suspended. But
In the midst OF business and interest there
was a deep gloom. Projects which affected
the fortunes of nations We're i'll suspense, be-
cause there was no rain: cares for the sue
cesson Of crowns and the formation of cOnsti-
tutiOns might all be futile if there should be
no rain and it seemed as if there never would
be any, for this was now the third year. and the
earth had not yet received a shower. And
now ceasing to toe supplied from their usual
sources the springs and rivers Withered and
shrAnk. Water became, i'll many places, not
dear, but unattainable. The greatest people
OF the land left it, and used their wealth in
chasing the retreating element from place to
n q IA tlQSp
luxurious spirits. there We're scenes OF extra
VACANT elry still they had no employment
except to live, and they endeavOred to make
the act OF living as exciting rs their old amuse-
luents had been. But accounts OF foreign cOun-
tries came more and more rarely to England
for, when the fourth rainless year arrived,
drought and famine had slain three -fOurths of
its inhabitants, and commerce and agriculture
were alike suspended. When 4 vessel came
as far up in the mouth of n river rs the sink
ing waters permitted, it brought tidings OF
desOlatiOn from whatever part 1T had left
Stories began to be spread Of dry land in parts
OF the ocean, where it had never been seen
before; marks which had stood in the deep of
the sea might now be walked around at all
times Of the tide, and thick crusts OF salt were
beginning to spread upon tracts OF the great
deep. These tidinss came from foreign lands
ut long intervals-and at long intervals was a
ship sent from any English haven. The few
dwellers on the coast knew not if there were
any dwcll"rs in the interior; for England was
become like the desert, and there were no
beasts to carry one across it, and no water TO
be boarded in skins for the passage. Traffic OF
every kind ceased industry was gone; the
secrcts Of science and the cultivated mind OF
the philosopher We're all bent to the prOduc
ton OF water; and many precious object was
resolved back into its elements, and afforded a
scanty supply for few parched mouths: The
lingering inhabitants had the produce of past
years only to live upon, which nothing replen-
baked earth was wholly Incompetent.
In the heart Of this desert there lived
family which had hitherto survived the de-
structiOn Of life around them. 1t consisted OF
a father and mother, and two young children,
Charles and Alce--the last Of whom, the girl,
Was but few months old when the Great
Drought began. They had lived in Herby-
Peak, and they and other, inhabitants Of that
region had found water, longer than many
others, from the sides Of the hills and frOlns
excavation which they had made in the
rocks. The strong hope and expectation Of
rain had kept them lingering on AS long as
any supply lasted and PMulett. who, in the
days when ranks existed, had been great
influence to supply the wants of the people
and to postpone their destruction. But those
days were gone by his possessions were so
much dust; he wanted water, and nobody
wanted any thing else. He was a mere man
now like those who are born naked and die
naked, and had to struggle with the needs of
nature even rs every one else: Meantime his
education availed him. and the resources
family and himself. But he was soon obliged
to limit himself TO this sole care, for the sup
ply he obtained was scanty, and he knew how
lirecarious it must be- He had explored the
Tavern Of the Peak with great attention, and
he bored the rock In various places and used
means suggested by bis knowledge Of natural
causes, which had procured . slender dow Of
water into basin which he had made. The
fury Of thirsty men for water was 70 great
that he was obliged to keep his secretWith the
utmost care; and towards the end of the
fourth year he removed his wife and children
70 the cavern itself, and blocked up the en-:
trance In such manuer that he could defend
Il against any chance survivor. There was no
want Of the lnxnries Of furniture In tbs o.
yeSut-all the splendOrs Of ths baud were at
th1 command Of those who would take them,
aud Psnlstt brought there whatever had
naorned his homo when the earth was = At
dwelling plnee for man. There was velvet
and DOWN 70 lie upen there were carpets on
whacA tRe little Alice cOuld roll there were
warm d es aud luxurious 0rnamepts Of the
toilette a tAateyss could he ssed tor comfort
~ had bron9ht, and all other precions thtnks
Sc had left % his open house. locking bimself