The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-10-04
Remarkable Incident iof the,
Late Torrent in Philadelphia
Two Babies Floating on the,
q Waters. tW . u te!R assi
TFrom tbe Philadelphia Press!s

In the southwestern part Of the city there
are located twelve houses, with basement
kitchens, into which the water flowed with
impetuosity, and so fast that families in the
upper parts Of houses did bot know their
cellars were full until going down Stairs.
In one Of the basement kitchens couple
Of twin children, little boys, were asleep in
a cradle. The mother, Mrs. Sarah johnson.
was upstairs attending to some household
duties, not being aware Of tie Intimidation
that had taken place. Her surprise may be
imagined upon descending to fnl The water
even with the top step of the stairway into
basement. Terror Of The most thrilling
kind seized upon her mind, when she thought
of her innocent babes III vain did she at
tempt to go down stairs, bit the water
reached her neck as her feet touched the
lower steps, 1t was fine Of horror for
her. She hastily ran to the street, scream
ing at the top Of her hngs for help. aHeIpl
help! help! she cried, and her shrill voice
was heard aboyeothe pelting Of the pitiless
storm. .o.s. ,..... IL.
Two police officers went 70 her bid, By
wadiug through the overlooked streets.
/" What is the matter, what is tile matter?
they hurriedly asked. The poor woman
presented the picture Of disPair, 2 Save
my babes" was all that she calculated, as
she swooned and fell. The officers rescued
her, or she would have been drowned the
next moment in two feet Of water. Where,
madam, are your bubies? p hurriedly IN.
quired the officers, as the poor woman partly
recovered from the mental shock that she
had received. "There!', said she, as her
eyes gazed wildly. There 7" pointing to
the oreraowed basement. "Good heayensr
exclaimed the officers; "they are drowned
AS the word drowned fell upon the ear Of
the despa,ring mother she again tainted, and
was carried into a neighbnring house.
The officers entered the dwelling where
the. twin children were, and presently the
little ones began to cry. 1t sounded like
the voice of spirit coming from the water.
Other people arrived, for by this time the
rain had ceased to fall. TWAS ascertained
the twins were 10 cradle, and that it must
| be floating with them. The force of the
water bad buoyed it up against the ceiling
but where, could not be exactly told The
mother had by this time become more re
concled to the situation. Her neighhors
cbeered her; the men already at hand spoke
of encouragement. ! :
"The children still live" said they, afor we
heard them cry, and they are foating In the
CRADLE" The anxious maternaitold the men
that she had left the cradle near The center
OF the basement. Ears were strained to
their utmost power to catch The soand Of
the voice of the seemingly doomed babes
but not q breath nor sohnd coGld be heard
save the dipping Or the gufgliug Of the wa
tier. 1T was now tiine Of despair and ter
ror to all. The men present, however, pre-
served their presence of mind, and did moi
relate their, doubts and Hisgiyings, although
]they believed then that the stiffness Of toe
babes-for the crying had ceased was that
Of death. The carpet on the first Aoor was
removed, anu one Of the police officers, be
| ing a house carpenter, procured q Ratchet
chisel, saw, and auger, and in five minutes
had portion Of the floor torn up: The
precise position Of the cradle was ascertain
ed and it was. drawn beneath a hole tha
was cut through the floor and ceiling be
tween the joist. This was lnomentou'
period. { The babes were still in the repost
Of slamber, and sticking each Others tlidmbs
A smile played upon their chubby faces. o.
though the little innocents were enjoying th'
dreams of angels. The mothers JOY ma.
be imagined at the restoration. but 1t canno
be described. s'4'