Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-09-14

was turning TO go To sleep again, Wheh
there was Il croaning, cIedking NOISE,
and she thought she felt the house
move.
Thoroughly aroused, she sat up in
bed The lantern was dark, and from
the hearth, where she lett Il great fire,
came a kissing sound, AID there was
only the glare Of dull burning log.
She thought some one was putting out
the fire, and called, "Fathcf father. y
There was no answer, but the sound
continued. Without waking William,
she sprang ont upon the floor and ran
toward the fireplace As she reached it
her feet splashed in the water which was
running atong over the floor. Qnick as
light the thought came. "The river is
upt" She grouped for a candlastlck,
and found one with small piece Of.
candle remaining in it. Taking one Of
the long sulphur matches used IN those
days, she touched 1t to coal, and had
light,
4 quick glance around told her at
once what was the matter. The hearth
laid with heavy stone had sunk several
inches below the floor Of the room, and
up through the crayices of this came
the water, which had almost put out the
fire. leaving only the logs burning
The door was locked, but raising the
window-curtain she gnZed out. The
house w1s surrounded by water; the
waves were washing up against it and
over the doorstep. As far as her eye
cyuld reach, all around about, was wa
ter, only water, with trees standing in
it,
The glrl had been brought up to de-
pend on herself, and she had both res
olution md courage. Running 60 the
bed, sho shook VIII. sect up, VIII,
get up! The river is all around the
house The boy sat up, rubbed his
eyes stupidity, then sank back again
Get up, win, do get up! Don't You
hear the river is coming in the
house" She shook him again.
- Dress quickly, and don't wake baby "
She already had her own shoes on and
was fastening up her dress. There was
the same creaking noise, and the house
shook. VIII compromised at last,
and while putting ON his clothes ran to
the window
What axe we to DO 2" he asked in
alright. eff father was only harel
We must go up to the loft and wait
until father comes. she answered.
Taking the baby in her arms she
climbed the stairway, and land it ON
her own bed, wrapping it up warmly
When she came down again, VIII who
had been looking ont, stood with the
tcar8 running down his face.
Where Is father O Sally, where is
fathnrt / ana so afraid he IS drowned;
he has not come home =
She Rugged the teuder-hcarted boy
close "No, VIII, no, father IS Safe
he will only be troubled about us. y
She shuddercd herself as she reassured
him. "IIe will get boat and come. -
Finding the water was covering the
floor. they carried to the loft all the
ARTICLES they could move, not forgetting
some bread and crock of milk for
the baby, They then took refuge
there themselves,
While they were thus engaged they
frequently felt the house culver.
II was cold. They had hight, but
no fire. SO, wrapped in comtorters,
they held each other close, not daring
Ia 20 to bed They crouchcd near one
Of .do windows, Of which there were
two in the ioft, one looking back on
the hills, the other in front ON the riy-
er.
Their father did not come
L Was not % darll niEht, and they
q s