The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-11-05

and not breath moved the water or stir
red leaf. The stiffness was deep almost
to melancholy, and it seemed as il nature
had sunk to repose from which she could
hardly be awakened.
Andy and his wife walked down by the
river for couple of miles, and seated
themselves beneath some large trees, where
they passed the afternoon, and it vas not
until his wife called his attention to the
growing darkness that he was aware that a
storm was at hand.
cit certainly is very dark" he said
'though it's not sunset yet. Come, wife,
we must hasten home, or baby will have a
wet skim
They arose and commenced to walk has
tily. Every instant the darkness seemed
to increase with uncommon rapidity, and
Andy felt very anxious for his child. There
still and motionless; but some bright
flashes in the west and distant muttering
of thunder warned them to hurry on.
Faster and faster travelled Andy and his
wife, and now his house was in sight and
he would sooE reach it. He laughed and
hugeed his boy to his heart. At length
the house was gained, and Andy stood on
the threshold, having given the baby to its
mother. He was gazing at queer>shaped
cloud that was coming down upon them
very fast. 1t looked like an 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.
''Well," he replied in low voice, 'I'm
afraid we are going to have a whirlwind,
and it may be necessary to seek the old
cave just back of the house, especially if
yOnder cloud be waterspout."
Mrs. Robbins went to the door and gazed
westward as she did so her cheeks grew
pale.
81 do believe you are correct" she said; !;
perhaps we had better go to the cave az
once.'
Before her husband could reply the storm
burst upon them with all its fury, 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 windows only to
see gianttrees uprooted and carried through
the air on the wings of the tornado.
as 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 OEce there came an awful crash,
the house was lifted from its foundation.
and piercing scream came from his wife's
lips. The next moment the dwelling burst
wide open, and the water crushed the
wreck as you would a handful of straw. [
often have beard Andy relate his sensations
The first feeling he had was as if he were
struggling for his life at sea. A huge wave
dashed him high i'm the air, as he shrieked
the name of his wife. He heard the roar
of waters in his ears and then he became
insensible. He never knew how he escaped
but his preservation was wonderful. The
following day, he found himself nearly a
mile from his home, bruised and sore As
fast as he could he travelled TO the SPOT
where his house had stood, and looked upon
the scene of desolation, making the woods
ring with his voice as he called upon the
name of his wife.
For do off he A.
through, searching for those of his family
who had been swept into the river by the
whirlwind. Twas hard to make him be-
lieve that he was alone in the world, and
ii was only when the bodies Of his wife and
child were discovered, some days later, that
he seemed to realize the fact.
Some hands on boat buried the unfor-
tuna.e ones near by where their bodies were
found. Then it was that Andy Robbins
built the sorry old cabin you behold. 1t
stands within few feet of the spot where
the grave of his wife and child are made,
leave it.
Some years ago an eccentric bachelor
died in New Orleans and left a good slice
of his property to Andy Robbins. Many
supposed this unexpected good luck would
induce Robbins to leave his solitude aud 90
to live in the city. But all such surm;ses
were vain. The old fellow refused to leave
his haunt, and heard of his good fortune
without the least appearance of exultation.
Andy Robbins was still living a few
months ago and should the reader ever mass
along the Mississippi river at the point
have indicated, he may see the cabin, and,
perhaps, its occupant sitting on the river
bank, looking as it were for those who will
never come to revisit him this side of
eternity.
THOSE gray. headed girls who go about