Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-01-09

me, but l replied:
"And what may be the extent of your
lpresent wealth, Mr.. Martin ~
| The question was certainly a very
rude one, but the old gentleman did not
seem to regard it as such, for.he an.
swered simply:
"Well, three months ago l had four
thousand pounds in the bank of Aus
tralia, but took it all out, and expen-
ded it in the purchase of additional
stock, and Improvement on my farm;
dare say l am worth altogether twelve
thousand pounds, and Gertrude will be
the sole possessor when l die.'
"Then you don't object to me in my
self, Mr.. Martin, but only because I'm
poor ?" said, bitterly.
"Just so, my boy. l object on prin-
cipal; but to show you that bear you
no personal animosity, come into the
kitchen, and we will honor your last
evening among us by glass of my best
grog, and some tobacco, such as you
havenot tasted for many long day."
Stay moment" cried 1. ''Were 1
as rich as you, Mr.. Martin, would you
give me your ehilds'' -.---.--.
"Aye, that 1 would, lad, right will
ingly," was the reply.
"And directly, when am rich as you
if Gertrude is then single, will you con-
sent to our marriage, l persisted.
"Aye. verify, will, oil my word Of
honor, Mr.. Rush. But why do you talk
OF impossibilities 20 he added: "where
are you going to realize sudden for
tune?"
All. where was L? My heart sank as
1 asked myself the question, and 1 fol-
lowed the old man into the kitchen in
almost heart broken silence. A bright
fire was burning on the hearth, for
CRATES are still very rare in Australia,
in fact, they would be ill-adapted for
the logs of red gum wood that form the
invariable fuel.
Presently glasses and pipes were laid
on the table, and did my best to re-
kindle hope within my breast by the
aid of Hollands and Barrett's twist, but
it was no good.
On the other side of the fire sat Mrs.
Martin, a comely dame of fifty years,
fully as broad as she was long, and with
mind wholly given to the concerns of
the dairy; and the making of orange
marmalade, Gertrude knowing that
something was wrong, but scarcely
guessing what, nestled to my side, and
to my great joy her father did not re-
buke her.
And thus we sat for long time,
neither Of us speaking word, but list
ening to the falling rain and bowling
wind without, and to the groaning of
the great forest trees, as their branches
were swayed and tossed by the blast.
Anon came another sound-a loud but
yet a soothing murmur, like the signing
breeze amid cork wood.
No one seemed to notice it but me,
and only did so as wondering how so
gentle and so musical murmur could
make itself audible above the uproar of
the wind and tempest. Suddenly, how
ever, there broke upon our ears the
dashing open of a gate, and mans
voice, shouting.
"Master Martin, if you value your
life, look sharp! The river has over
flown its banks, and the waters are
out"
Then we heard the splash, splash, of
horses feet, as the warning visitor rode
away.
"Water out, Impossiblew muttered
the old farmer. "Why, bless my heart,
the river was not OIL Il level with its
banks by good six inches this MORN
ing, and we've had no rain to speak of
since"
"You don't know what weather it
has been among the mountains though,
Mr.. Martini" l said. "And hark! put
your ear to the floor. By Heavens! the
warning was timely one. We have
not a moment to lose.''
We all bent our heads down and lis
tened, and now we could hear a hollow
gurgling sound under our feet, and lit
tie jets of spray leaped up between the
crevices of the flooring.
The house according to the common
custom of the colonies, was built on
piles, and thus the downstair rooms
were about four feet above the ground,
between which and the flooring, the
angry waters were now fretting and
fuming, and dashing against the stout
woodwork with momentarily inereas-
ing power.
Tie women began to cry, the farmer
was too stupified to move.
"This will never do,r l said "there
is not moment to be lost. can take
one of you up behind me OH my horse,
and l know that Carlo and l will get
through it somehow. The rest had bet
ter go up stairs-or, if possible, Oh the
roof-and with the first peep of dawn
I'll send a boat to take you OFF,
Twas very much afraid he would bid
me take the old lady, but to my great
relief both the parents cried out, "save
Gertrude
L lost no time in acting. l flew down
the four steps that led to the garden,
and with the water above my Napoleon
boots, made my way to the stable. Mine
was the only steed therefor Austral-
ian settlers seldom stable their horses
and he poor fellow was very miserable
and frightened.
l did not stop to reassure him, but had
him around at the house door ina minute
and then Gertrude, after bidding weep
ing adieu to her parents, sprang up be-
hind me, and away we dashed into the
storm and tempest.
1t was indeed, Il wild, fearful night;
the moon shone brightly, but every
minute or two the light was Obscured
by black, pall-like clouds, that were
tearing with mad velocity across the
sky, and then it was so dark that |
could not see my horses head before
me.
In the brief intervals of ghastly
white light L could perceive that we
were surrounded by a sea of waters, and
that scarcely speck of dry land was
to be seen. True, they were as yet very