The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-10-07
loop over the post which had always stood

there. Ea -.--- a
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, il
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 bade
fair to bring the raft into the eddy, and
the shouts of rapidly advancing men, who
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 wild scream the mother rose
with her babe in her arms, as if plunge
in the river. Then, seeming TO remember
the children who clung 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
endeayors vain He wished to be alone
with his sorrow. Tom had remained at
the ferry, determined to take a 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-
vclope in his hand, in a state of great ex-
citcment
"Who'll carry this over to Farmer Al
lcns?" 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?'
81 will! Iwillr' exclaimed half dozen,
eager to be the bearer of the news.
The message was intrusted to one of
the tleetest-footed boys of the village, who
sped over the mile which lay between
the office and Farmer Aliens like a grey
hound.
Here's something for you, he painted,
as he burst into the house without knock
ing.
The farmer took it mechanically, with
out thought that it concerned those
whom he already looked upon as in
heaven Breaking the seal, he opened the
folded slip of paper and glanced at its con-
tents Then with a fervent "Thank
God" he fell upon his knees and the feel
ings 50 long pent up found vent in tears of
thankfulness.
The message was brief one. 1t ran
FREDERICTON, N. b., April 10.
JOHN ALLEN:
Your wife and children were picked up at
light this morning on a shingle-raft, three
miles above this city. All safe. Answer.
Swift as were the feet Of the messenger,
they had hard work to keep pace with
John Aliens on the return. The news
spread like wildtire, and within half an
hour everybody in Woodstock knew the
contents of the dispatch.
Little more need be said. Farmer Al
len followed the message he sent without
the loss of an hour. That was Sunday
morning, and it was Thursday night be-
fore the parted household again met be.
meath the roof whose few hours desola-
ton made it yet the more sacred and
precious to all-N. Y. independent.