The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-10
CLocation of the shan ties flooded out the 2Sth nit

with the river became an impassabe torrent, and
the current swept down 1T with depth and
strength enough 70 carry heavy masses OF Ice,
that played ten pins with the shanties OF a settle
ment on sort or bottom at the edge of the river.
The street down which the water came on that
occasion debouches on an open low place
at turn in the river--the mouth, appa-
rently OF an old lagoon. Across this low land Is
constructed the emDankment on which the Erie
Railway runs. The crest OF the embankment IS
ten or fifteen feet above the level OF the BOTTOM
land. The bottom extends along the embark.
ment and between 1t and the river Tor nearly q
mile and is, perhaps an eighth OF mile wide.
At the upper end Of this patch was group of
shantes, perhaps fifty in number, the homes OF
Irish labOrers and their families Just such fabrics
as gave life q few years ago TO the rocks along
Jeryis does not seem to have enjoyed such glory
OF goats as hourisned In the Squattertown OF the
the mansion OF civilization In It's documentary
state. 1t leaves the haotatlon or the troglodytes
far behind; 1t is even vast Improvement on the
wigwam OF the savages or the ielt houses of the
Tartars 1t has four walls, a floor and ceiling,
and doors, windows and chimney. All these
distinguish 1t As in reality house, but 1t is not
elegant 1t Is patched together OF such scraps OF
refuse lumber as Pat can gather here and there
drift wood on the river, or doors and windows
economical from the spoil OF demolished man
sons. Into this little settlement OF this order OF
houses the water came rushing ana the Ice boul-
ders humping with tremendous force on the day
In question. Fortunately 1t was noon, and the
old women and little children were hustled out on
.But II 1t had been nightf" said. '.Ah, thin,r
said Mrs. Mooney. 'its mesef that didn't shape
ioI tuIcc ulRuts luluhluB VI I've" 81 tuc scttle-
ment had been In a state Of alarm. Mrs.
Mooney was like the rest OF them,
tine Waters had aS she and mad s e.
scrape up in ner home the little otis OF ner prop
erty that were not ,'ruinated by the wather ia.
trely"-the usual dlapidated chairs and crippled
table OF the pOor-the cracked glass and empty
botrles that would hold a little wniskey or The
end OF candle as occasion might require and, or
more account than all, . badly rusted stove.
"And here" said her small boy In confidential
tone, AS the paper Tor the eye water. found it
the nOOr.N Old prescription, gathered
with perception OF Its value; the writing OF
some famous physician esteemed worthy az least
as much care as might have been the writings OF
a famous poet.
"Nelghbor" said a farmer LOOKING fellow, who
certainly was not neighoor TO this same Mrs.
Mooney; "neighbor, where did that mousse come
lromS' and he pointed to a house standing diago-
end as II a section had been made to exhibit the
anatomy OF the edlhce to pupils In architecture.
We see the place beyant there by the trees, that's
open just the same way in the side Well, now,
1t came from there" She said this with the en-
phasis OF person who confidently anticipates
that the fact will seem incredible
"Dld the water carry 1t all me way here ~ said
the startled investigator.
what else, surep'
In fact this was the proper end OF the cyplana-
ton and Mrs. Mooney was not called up to account
ior the yagaries OF the water. But the circum-
stances appeared 10 point 10 an undue trvaity
ON the part OF tine house, tnat may have seemed
ment and so she said deprecatingly =
"Well, dye see That mouse was light; 1t was
ago.n
This new view or human nabltation that owed
Its weight entirely TO its occupants and their port
able property, ana That was not only light because
they gone, but had the aggravated iightness
oil their having been gone three weeks, ended and
crushed out entirely all the curiosity or that
farmer, and lie settled himself TO silence and his
cud.
Two or three doors away there was a character.
stc scene on the dry ground was \ little sled,
with a box on it, aud a boz OF seven or eight made
short trips from the Inside OF a wrecked snanty TO
that sled, and each time brought out tin plate
full OF coal. ALI the accumulated iuel OF those
hutS was there, and the little urchin had been
sent out from some place where they had taken
refuge TO bring up the means OF Keeping thsm
warn.
Incidents OF this nature and the spectacle or tne
ruined shsntles were oelore the people OF Port
Jervis for many days as an indication OF what
might come TO all n tue water should once get
nRn enough to sweep through the better part or
the town as IL had swept through this dragged
outskirt. IL was a case in watch the
struction IN co1rore cth; they had secn
in little ana on the whole at small expense
what might happen TO every one but happily,
human nature IL too plastic to be deeply i'm
pressed by the spectacle OF other peoples calam-
tiles. thoughtful people became contemplatve to
some degree. The authorities consulted engi-
ncers, who advised strict repose on sofa cushions,
with folded hands; but the many were ind nerent.
At the hotel table the regular boarder discussed
the subject with the casual visitor from Paterson,
and thought that the whole story was due to the
papers, he didn't beneye there was any danger,