Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-11-12
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m0mD6r Inem:
About a half mile above the spot
where we wooded, there once stood a
snug house, and a nicely cultivated
patch that belonged to Andy Robbins.
He was pretty industrious fellow, as
the times went. His wife was a good
woman, but, like all girls who live iso-
lated lives, she had very little idea of
the world; and, beyond seeing a pass
ing steamboat and her passengers, shs
had no idea of what the world was
like.
Andy was a great hunter, and you
couldn't find better rife shot than
he was anywhere along the Mississippi.
1t was astonishing the number CT
squirrels that man would shoot in a
day; if 1 told You, you wouldn't be-
heve me. He always had his rife with
him, even when he went out for stroll
with his wife.
Andy had one child, an infant about
a year old, when this trouble came Oh
him. I don't Thick there was any
thing he dotted on like that little thing
he used to carry in his arms to look at
the boat wooding.
It was an afternoon in October, when
the leaves were just tinted with yellow
and red. that Andy, with his child in
his arms and his wife by his side,
started out to take walk. The after.
noon was calm as sleep. recoliect it
well. Not a cloud was visible, and
not breath moved the water or stirr-
ed a leaf. The stiffness was deep
almost to melancholy, and it seemed
as if nature had sunk to a repose from
which she could hardly be awakened.
Andy aud his wife walked down by
the river for a couple of miles, and
seated themselves beneath some large
trees, where they passed the afternoon,
aud it was not until his wife called his
attention to the growing darkness that
storm was at hand.
cit certainly is very dark" he said,
though its not sunset yet. Come,
wife, we must hasten home, or baby
will have wet skin"
They arose and commenced to walk
hastily. Evesy instant the darkness
seemed to increase with uncommon
rapidity, and Andy felt very anxious
for his child. There was not breath
Of air and the water was still and mo-
t1onless but some bright flashes in
the west and a distant muttering of
warned them to hurry on.
Faster and faster travelled Andy and
his wife, and now his house was in
sight and he would soon reach it. He
laughed and hugged his boy to his
heart. At length the house was
gained, and Andy stood on tie thresh
bold, having given the baby to it's
nc ther. He was gazing at a queer
shaped cloud that was coming down
upon them very fast. It looked ike
all inverted mountain.
What's the matter ?" called out his
wife. What are you looking at,
Andy ?"
He did not reply at once, but after
awhile he said "Don't undress the
baby, and don't you take your things
off either"
"Why, what's the matter, Andy ?"
again questioned his wife.
We'll" he replied in a low voice,
l. m afraid We are going to have O
and it may be necessary to
seek the old cave just back of the
house, especially if yonder cloud be a
Mrs. Robbins went to the door and
gazed westward; as she did so, her
checks grew pale.
81 do believe you are correct" she
said; perhaps we had better go to the
cave at once"
Before her husband could reply the
storm burst upon them with all its fu-
ry. and they were compelled to retreat
indoors. Mrs. Robbins clasped her
child to her arms, while the building
rocked as if it were at sea. She gazed
out of the window only to see giant
trees uprooted and carried through the
air on the wings of the lorna 10.
els it not awful?" she asked, with
trembling breath.
Andy nodded; he was trying to trace
the course of the cloud, but the air
Was so thick with leaves and darkness,
that he was not able to see dozen
yards beyond him.
All at once there came an awful
crash, the house was lifted from its
foundation, and piercing scr5 am came
from bis wife's lips. The next mo-
ment the dwelling burst wide open,
and the wind crushed the wreck as
you would handful of straw. I often
have heard Andy relate his sensations
The first feeling he had as If he were
strugg ing for his life at sea- A hinge
wave dashed him high in the air, as be
shrieked the name of his wife. He
heard the roar of waters in his ears
and tuen he became insenlbie. He
never knew how he escaped, but h;s
preservation was wonderful. The fol
lowing day, he found himself nearly 4
mile from his home, bruised and sore.
AS fast : he could he travelled to the
spot w:'.-re his house had stood, and
hn Of lot
maxim. &c woods ring with his voice
a. he ',!ied uron the name of BIZ wife.
Fo, lays alter he travelled the cOun-
trn.i : vino had been swept into the
river by tire whirlwind. Twas hard
to make htm believe that he was alone
n the y :; d, and it was only when the
bodies II his wife and child were dis
covered. soma days later that he
seemed to realize The fact.
Sem hands on the boat puri"d the
Infortuuate ones near by where Their
Do1i-s were found. Then il was that
Andy Robbins built the sorry old cab
II yen behold. It stands within 1t
sew feet Of the spot where the grave of
his wife and child are made, and moth
ng can tempt the old fellow to leave
it.
some years ago an eccentric btci.e-
or d;e.l IN New Orleans ana ieft good
s'!ca lis property to An.iy Robbius.
Many supposed this unexpected good
ack would indnce Robbins to leave
his solitude AID go 10 live in the city.
Bat al s'Ich surmlseS were vain. The
old fellow refused to leave bis haunt,
and heard Of his good fortune without
the least appearance of exultatIon.
Andy Robbins was still living fe-
mooti4s ago, and should the reader
pass along the Mississippi rIyer at the
20 LIT have indicated, he may see the
c@Din, and perh sps, it's occupant sit
ing ou the river bank, looking as it
we're for those who wi! never come 10
re visit him this side Of eternity.
Coming EE1IDSeS,