Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-05-25
Selerf Sforu.
Lore 0nd u Kite.

MY dear, what are the probabili-
ties?"
Rising temperature, with rain on
the coast
~Oh. am sorry 1t would be tru-
ly dreadful to have it rain to-mor-
row."
Then they paused and looked out
through the half-ruined window of
the old wooden bridge where they
had met She lived on one side of
the stream. He made his home on
the other. They often met here in
the center of the dim and dusly
bridge that spanned the river tha5
ran through the town. IL was one of
those huge timbered truss bridges
once so common i'm New England.
Outside, its ancient roof and boarded
sides had taken on that sober slate
color that marks extreme age. With
in, it was dusky and dark Upon the
walls flakes of white wash fluttered.
half detached, and festoOns of cob
web mingled with abandoned nests
left by departed swallows. Strange
lights danced on the ceiling, where a
hole in the floor admitted the reflec-
ed light from the flashing waters be-
low. Every football ON the soft, pow
dery dust that covered everything
echoed nOisily, while the air seemed
ever full OF the m0nOtonous murmur
OF the river. Just beyond, further
down the stream. stood another
bridge used by the railway trains and
foor-passengers, so that the town
bridge was deserted by all save those
with teams. Besides this, it was
hardly considered safe. It's trusses
already sagged down in the middle
and threatenedto drop into the water.
For a while they gazed upon the
roaring foaming food beneath them,
and then she took his arm, and look
ing up in his face said, softly:
you will come early. dear. 1 shall
be waiting for you"
~Oh, Of course, il the bridge holds
together. 1t is "A crazy affair, and we
may have freshet tonight"
"There's the other ridge
yes if one goes the other may,
Then after some further talk, they
departed their several ays.
The probabilities were correct. II
did rain. II rained "a sery great deal
1t rained more and more, and the
snow that covered all the country
round about began to melt. The
river rose higher and higher. II
turned yellow with drifting sand
Lumps and sheets of ice began tc
float down, with much grinding anc
uproar. By dark the water was within
ten inches of high flood mark. BY nine
o'cloc'' it was reported that an ice
gorge mad formed just above th,
town bridge.
The nextday neither scrap nor stick
of either bridge could be found. Al
daylight the people gathered in two
I forlorn crowds upon the banks, anC
remarked that the situation was pc.
culiar. Among them stood younf
man and young woman, each on on,
shore, while they river rolled betweer
them. Their situation was very pc
culiar. They gazed at each Other
over the boiling, roaring chasm, bu
they said nothing 1t would hav,
been useless while the water. half
covered with floating ice and broker
timbers, doomed and Numbered Will
such noise and fury.
The modern Hero thought her LIE
ander might at least swim TO her. III,
thought differently. A boat? 4
balloon would be safer. Thus think
ing and mourning. they gazed at eacl
other fondly for some time, and thei
by apparent mutual consent they re
tired to their respective breakfasts
to eat-and mourn. Every bridg,
for fifty miles up the stream was re
ported down. Below, some twent,
miles distant. were ferries-wher
there was no ice.
She ate her breakfast with teary
eyes. He couldn't eat at ALL HI
must cross that stream. How? No
all the delights of buckwheat cakes
could win him from the thought
Thrusting a roll into his pocket, h
went out to view the situation.
1t was not encouraging. For NOR
than two miles above and below tn,
town the river ran between steel
cliffs nearly seventy feet high Be
hind these the country was level, an,
here on The banks the town ha,
grown up on both shores. Above tin
divided village the fields came to tn
ragged, stony edge of the bluffs. Hi
home was upon his fathers farm an,
the parental acres came to the wa-er
oida uor fafhar,u form apd fiald