The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-09-21
SHE So RlBUHE.
Official City and County Paper
A NIGHTS ADVENTURE ON THE
OHIO RIVER.
BY MARTHA FL. THOMAS.


wife, said Jack Martin, as he wiped his
hand on the towel behind the door be-
fore sitting down to his supper. sit is
almost to the top of the band; never
was known to be SO high; and Wilson
really seems scared about it.
do you think there is any danger ?'
asked Mrs. Martin, as she poured out
his tea
''No, we are not going to be carried
off because it is few feet above high
water mark. 1t will go down as it came
up, when it is ready. Come in" This
last was said in answer to knock at
the door, and was followed by the APP
pearance of a boy about thirteen years of
age.
Mother is sick, Mrs. Martin" he
said approaching the table, land she
sent me to ask you TO come over. Gran
ny Hays is down with the rheumatic, and
she halnt got no one with her"
expected it, said Mrs. Martin.
WHAT shall [ do %
Go, of course said her husband.
on can't do anything else.
She is very bad, said the boy, ''and
l am to go round and fetch the DOCTOR J"
We'll draw up and get some supper,
Joe, was Jack answer, "then / will
put Dolly in the wagon, and we will 90
the upper road, aud take the doctor
IN
But the children, Father?''
Now don't begin TO worry, Molly.
Sally can take care of the baby, and ]
will not be gone more than an hour or so.
l gu can get along, can t you Sally ?''
L guess so, was the smiling reply
Of bright-eyed girl of some thirteen
years who sat beside him.
The creek is running like a mill-raca,
and the water is spreading all over, .
SAID Joe. The trees looked standing
10 It when | came over the hill. | dom t
believe we could get along that road
he water is backing up them said
Jack; but 1t is TOO cold for it 10 rise
much further.
Mrs. Martin made hurried meal, and,
having slowed various articles in bask-
ct, was ready by the time her husband
had. the wagon at the door With
charges to Sally concerning the baby, she
stepped in, while Jack locked the door
telling the children to go to bed as soon
rs they had set things to rights, but to
be sure and have good fire and keep a
light burning. for he would not be gone
long.
Jack Martin and his young wife had
LETT New England when they we're first
married, and settled up the Ohio river
some distance above Cincinnati. Here
Jack had built small jfame- house and
began to cultivate his land. and here
his I've children were horn, two of whom
had died-Sally and VIII and the baby
beng all that were left. Jack was a
happy, hght-hearted industrious man,
who worked his farm and took things
easy His land was productive, his crops
sold well, he had built fine barn and
had good out houses, but his own dwell
Ing was the shabbiest part of the premi-
ses 1t was a frame building of but one
room, with loft above, which had been
put up Tor present wants, when he first
settled there, but it was plastered snug
and tight. Every yest Jack had tLoughf
he would add to it. and when his wife
represented that it was getting too
small for her growing family, he would
put her of with promise OF building
next spring, and a compliment to her
housekeeping.
After her parents left, Sally proceeded
to wash up the tea-things. The baby, a
ehlld some ten months old, was asleep.
Turning up the end of the brown table
cloth, Will got out his slate and arithme-
tic, and began to cipher, while Sally
went back and fourth from the cupboard
to the table, singing and putting the
things away.
VIII was slow at figures; he put down
and rubbed out; and bothered and
scratched his head and finally appeal
ed to Sally, with just show me this
part. Thus an hour passed. The baby
aWoke and was fed and played with, and
the two getting sleepy they prepared for
bed
Usually they slept in the loft unless
the weather was very cold, but this night
they mad been told to get in below with
the baby. Before undressing they rolled
large log on the fire and put candle 10
the lantern, as they had been taught to do
for safety.
Tired with their long walk of two
miles from school in the wind. they were
soon asleep. Suddenly Sally was awak-
eRed by size knew not what and was
turning to go to sleep again, when there
was grooming, creaking noise, and she
thought she felt the house move.
thoroughly aroused, she sat up in
pea. The lantern was da:k, and from
the hearth, where she left great fire.
came kissing sound, and there was only
the glare of dull burning log. She
thought some one was putting ont the
lire, and called, Father! father -
There was 20 answer, but the sonnd
continued. Without waking William
she sprang out upon the floor and ran
coward the fire place. As she reached
It her feet splashed ia the water which
was running along the floor Quick as
light the thought came. The river
Is up She grouped for a candle
suck and lound ane with small piece
OF candle IN It, Taking oas Of the long
sulphur matches, used in those DAYS,
she touched 1t to a coal, and had a
light. ~ ="
\ quick glance around told her at
onee What was the matter. The hearth
iaid With heavy stone had sunk several
ihcheS below the floor of the room. and
up through the creyiee of this came the
water, which had almost put out the fire.
leaving the logs burning. The door was
locked, but raising the window-curtaIu
she Sazed out, The house was surround
Gu = water; the waves were washing up
against 1t and over the door step As far
as her eye could reach all around about.
was water, only water, with trees stand
ing in it.
Inc girl had been brought nm 70 do.
pend on herself, and she had hotb 49,
luton and courage. Running to the he'd
she shook VIII. Get up, win, get uni
the river Is all around the house" The
coy sat ,up,, rubbed his eyes stupidity,
then sank beck again. Get up, VIII.
90 get up Don't you hear ?-the river
IS coming IN the house." She shook
nm again, Dress .eaickly, and dom
wake BABY She already had her own
81 Shoes on and was fastening up her dress.
lhere was the same creakipg noise, and
ana the mousse shook. Will comprehend
ca at iaSs, and while Putting on his cloths
ian 10 the window.
w hat are we to do ?" lie asked in
an fright IF father was only here -
- w must 90 nm Ia th, Lac n.,l -.