Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-10-07
He pointed to the river.

uOateQ on the Sl. j On0 River.
Mrs. Allen had all woman's dread of
the water, and her heart sank at once. But
the idea of being compelled to remain for
two or three days in that desolate spot
without food or a chance to sleep was more
dreadful yet, and she felt almost like urg-
ing her husband to carry out the desperate
| idea he had announced
We've got to decide upon something
very quick" continued the farmer. It'll
be dark in an hour and then we shall have
no choice"
He went to the window and looked out
for moment at the river. Then he came
back to the stove.
at storms fearfully; but then we're
pretty nigh as wet as we can be now.
believe we can keep in-shOre without much
trouble, and at the rate the stream is run
ming now we should reach Woodstock in
less than an hour. I've done it in worse
weather than this''
81 shouldn't be afraid myself" said
| Tom; " but then there's mother and the
children to think Off
,"I'm not afraid, Tom," said Mrs Allen.
"And even if were, believe it's the only
thing we can do"
Well try it, then" said Mr.. Allen, de-
| cidedly. "Come, Tom, we've no time to
lose. See if there is rope enough in the
corner there for coil to throw ashore
when we get to the landing at Woodstock,
and put the paddles aboard. Let me take
the baby, mother. Now, boys, jump on.
There's room enough for a regiment.
You'll have to make up your minds to
stand good deal of water the next hour
Push her OFF,
The raft swung slowly round from its
fastenings, and in another minute struck
the shore current, which, though less
swift than that in the middle of the river,
was yet so strong as to make safe naviga-
ton difficult task. The rain came with
such binding force that it was almost i'm
possible to see the shore, and the increas-
ing dusk threatened to grow into total
| darkness before the end of their perilous
journey was reached.
from the time they left their starting
point when the raft touched the landing
place at Woodstock, and Tom, rope in
hand, jumped on shore, to throw the
loop over the post which had always stood
there.
To his dismay the post was gone, and as
the raft swept along he felt the rope slip
through his fingers in spite of his endeav-
ors to hold it. There was another point
lower down where the raft might strike, if
his father could keep it out of the current
by his single arm. Beyond that the river
made sudden bend, and if the landing
should be missed there no power could
keep them from going down the river.
He hurried to the nearest houses of the
village and gave the alarm, and then flew
down the street, which ran parallel with
the river, to the lower landing. He was
Just in time to see his father spring from
the raft, holding the rope, and, rushing
in the water up to his waist, caught hold Of
it to assist. Their united strength babe
fair to bring the raft into the eddy, and
SAhOSaI0
had been reused by Toms brief warning,
gave them additional energy. Two min
utes later half a dozen strong arms were
aiding them, and the raft was slowly draw
ing to the shore, when the rope suddenly
parted.
With a wild scream the mother rose
with her babe in her arms, as if to plunge
in the river. Then, seeming TO remember
the children who chung to her garments, she
sank down again, and the next moment
the fierce current had swept them away in
the darkness.
There was but one hope more If the
ferry, five miles lower down, could be
reached in time they might be saved; and
the almost distracted father and son,
mounted on horses provided by sympa-
thizing friends, galloped there Too late!
The ferry-keeper had seen some black OBJ
ject rush by in the darkness and heard
cries for help, which he was unable to
give. They were in the hands of God and
He only could help them.
All that night Farmer Allen paced the
floor Of his desolate home The friends
who came to comfort him found their
endeavors vain. He wished to be alone
with his sorrow Tom had remained at
the ferry, determined to take boat at
early daylight and follow down the river.
There was little sleep that night in
Woodstock, and long before the usual
time for the village to be astir little groups
were abroad in the rain discussing the sad
event of the preceding evening. Suddenly
there was a stir in the direction of the little
telegraph office, and the operator, who slept
there, came rushing out with sealed en-
velope in his hand, in state of great ex-
element
Who'll carry this over to Farmer Al
len's?" he shouted.
"What is it? Any news? Is it about
his folks?"
Hell tell you. It's his news I've no
right to tell you. | wish l had! Who'll
| take it?'
q WILL IwillT' exclaimed half dozen,
eager to be the bear er Of the news.