Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-01-28

WubT6 lDtY WtTb ltlN lOI uOuio az ~ hihiSs
The farmer, however, had taken the pre-
caution, after putting the brides In the
wagon TO lie the halter TO one Of the wheelS.
The mill stood close down TO the waters
edge, and in front and all round 1t were
heaps of blocks, refuse timber logs, and
shavings. 1t was not very romantic look
ing place, but The children were delighted
with it.
The long ride had given them all good
appetite. A rough table was made out of
some boards laid across a couple OF stumps
and the contents Of the big basket were
soon placed upon II. Lunch finished, the
farmer and his son began their invostiga-
ton while Mrs. Allen and the children wan
dered about looking for arbutus and gath
ering pine-cones. There was more to be
look ed alter about the mill than was ex-
pected, and it was two o'clock before the
job was finished.
So busy had they been, that tho gradual
coudng up Of the sky had not been notic-
ed, and 1t was not until the sudden patter-
ing OF rain began upon the leaves, that the
little party began to look about them.
"Irs nothing but an April shower" said
Tom. 1--WE shall have to get under the
shelter Of the mill till it passes over"
"Don't you believe it," returned tue far
mer. "We've had rain hanging round for
a 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. Wen be right afler
you"
Obedient TO his fathers advice, Tom bur-
ried rapidly along the path leading TO the
spot where the team had been len, while
the remainder Of the party followed after,
as fast as they could. The place was reach
ed at last. The wagon was there, the two
brides lay just where they were thrown,
but the horses were gone.
For a moment the farmer stood dumb
founded. Then he began to examine their
tracks.
ats plain enough" at last he hurriedly
said. "They've slipped the halter and
started back home. You'll have to see IL
you can't overtake 'em, Tom. I'll take your
mother and the children back 10 mill. The
wind is rising, and it is setting 10 for a cold,
raw Storm"
Tho rain came faster and faster, ana by
the time they had reganed the shelter OF
the mill they were thoroughly wetthroush'
A fire was soon kindled in the little crack
ed stove used by the shing makers the
winter before, and the time 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. The river, always rapid and strong,
was now hsrce, turbulent stream, whose
middle current nothing could pass In safe
ty.
AZ last ioni ouis' 'n'o 'ue 'oo"'
l's oI no use, nc eAc'Aiueu' we We
so' " s'aS mere VI s"''' lo"e won
e1ear 10 lne man roau' more .nsn nVe illies
| rum n'le' anu iounu 'nAt Tue no'se' nave
'urnoo Tue wrong way ins'c"u VI eolns
noue' IL .ney nau gone s'rsisnt oAch tne
men "ouiu nave Auo"n 'n"' souie'nius
"~u ""PPeueu anu 'oi''e 'oi US o"'
no cnaneo ior '"a' ho"'
| Az 'nis nen'y anu 'Aek DesAh W cry
anu even MIS- Alien iookeu ols'hayeu'
staying mere to-hisnt Is ou' oi tneque'-
uon, sara MI AIien' "eha'ent ia NOR
sci 10 cat ana every hour we stay hiSAes
II worse. "ere In ior long s'o'ui An"
the roau nan Tue way from mere ~ tue
| turnPiRe Will De under wafer "Hnln '"eiVe
| "hat shali we do' theh askeu loin'
who was holding MS tripping coat oeiore
the olaze'
"lf it was fair weather should know
what TO do quick enough; and l dontknow
but we shall be Obliged 10 come TO II any
way"
why, what do you mean' iatherT' ask
ed Mrs. Allen anxiously.
| lie pointed 10 the river'
II should take the shingle'rait lying
there by The landing. 1t Is slaunch ana
strong, and just as safe AS any boat that eV-
or hoSied on the st. Johns river"
Mrs. Allen had all a womahs dread Oh
tho water ana her heart sank al once. but
the idea OF being compelled 10 remain ior
two or three days in that destitute spot
without food or chance TO sleep, was more
dreadful yet, and she 1elt almost liKe urg-
ing her husband to carry out the desperate
idea he had announced.
we've got 10 DECIDE upon some.hlhe
very quick, continued Inc iarmer' Nv IL
be dark in an hour and then we snail nave
no choice"
lie went 10 the wlndow ana iookeu OUT
for moment at the river' fhen ne came
Dack 10 Tue stove.
1T storms ieariully put theh we're pref