The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-10-07

1t was alter eleven O'Clock when they
reached the mill. The wagon had been
left at the end of the road, mile back,
the horses taken opItt and bag of oats
emptied upon tsane ground for them. They
We're both steady going old veterans, used
10 the .larrow and plow, and would stand
Jr.st where they were left hours at time.
The farmer, however, had taken the pre-
caution, after putting the brides in the
wagon, TO tie the halter to one OF the
wheels. -.... .,s-...--..-..--- .-
The mill stood close down to the waters
edge and in front and all around it were
heaps of blocks, refuse timber, logs and
shavings. 1t was not a very romantic
looking place, but the children were de-
/ lighted with it.
I The long ride had given them all a
good appetite A rough table was made
out of some boards laid across couple OF
stumps, and the contents of the big basket
were soon placed upon it. Lunch fin
ished, the farm er and his son began their
investigations, while Mrs. Allen and the
children wandered about looking for ar
butus and gathering pine cones. There
was more to be looked after about the mill
than was expected and it was two O'Clock
before the Job was finished.
So busy had they all been that the grad
ual clouding up of the sky had not been
noticed, and it was not until the sudden
pattering of rain began upon the leaves
that the little party began to look about
them.
"It's nothing but an April shower"
said Tom. eve shall have to get under
the shelter of the mill till it passes over"
Don't you believe it," returned the
farmer. We've had rain hanging round
for week past, and we've got it now,
sure enough Do the best we can we
shall be drenched. You run on ahead,
Tom, and put the horses in, so as TO be
ready by the time we get there. Well be
right after you"
Obedient to his fathers advice, Tom
hurried rapidly along the path leading to
the spot where the team had been left,
while the remainder of the party followed
after as fast as they could. The place
was reached at last. The wagon was
there the two brides lay just where they
were thrown, but the horses were gone.
For moment the farmer stood dumb
founded. Then he began to examine
their tracks.
"Its plain enough" at last he hurried
ly said "They've slipped the halter and
have started back home. You'll have to
see if you can overtake 'em, Tom. III
take your mother and the children back to
the mill The wind is rising and it is set
ting in for a cold, raw storm"
The ram came faster and faster, and by
the time they had regained the shelter of
the mill they were thoroughly wet through.
A fire was soon kindled in the little,
cracked stove used by the shingle-makers
the winter before, and the time spent in
waiting for Toms return was employed in
drying their clothes.
An hour passed away. The storm grew
more and more furious. The rain poured
down in torrents and the great tops of the
pine trees bent and writhed in the terrible
gusts, which became more and more fire.
Quent The river, always rapid and
strong was now fierce, turbulent stream,
whose middle current nothing could cross
in safety.
At last Tom burst into the mill.
"It's of no use," he exclaimed. "We've
got to stay here or swim home. | went
clear to the main road, more than five
miles from here, and found that the horses
have turned the wrong way instead of
going home If they had gone straight
back the men would have known that
something had happened and come for us,
but there's no chance for that now"
At this Harry and Jack began to cry,
and even Mrs. Allen looked dismayed.
"Staying here tonight is out of the
question" said Mr.. Alien. '' We must get
home somehow. We haven't a morsel to
eat, and every hour we stay makes it
worse. We're in for a long storm, and the
road half the way from here to the turn
pike will be under water within twelve
hours"
"What shall we do, then ?" asked Tom,
who was holding his dripping coat before
the blaze.
Mr.. Allen shook his head.
"If it was fair weather l should know
what to do quick enough; and | don't
know but we shall be obliged to come to
it anyway"
"Why, what do you mean, father ?"
asked Mrs. Allen, anxiously.
He pointed to the river. ......
81 should take that shingle-raft lying
by the landing. 1t is staunch and strong
and just as safe as any boat that ever
floated on the St. John River" s.r-. -
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 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" -.. .-....--.. .-. .e.-=
He went to the window and looked out
for moment at the river. Then he came
back to the stove.
"It storms fearfully; but then we're
pretty nigh as wet as we can be now. L
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"
"I shouldn't be afraid myself said
Tom; "but then there's mother and the
children to think Of"
"Im not afraid, Tom,'' said Mrs. Allen.
"And even if I were, believe it's the only
thing we can do.n
4 s'We'n try it, then,' said Mr.. Allen, de-
| cidedly. ," Come, Tom, we've no time to
i lose. See if there is rope enough in the
,E Ecorner 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 regiment
You'll have to make up your minds to
, stand good deal of water the next hour
Push her off'' -------a.----.
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-