Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-03-24

reach Woodstock In less than al
hour. I'Ye done it in worse weathe
than this.
/ shouldn't be afraid myself, saiC
Tom, but then there's mother anC
the children to think Of.
I'm not afraid, Tom, said Mrs. AL
len, and even if were, l believe iti
the only thing we can do.
Well try it then, said Mr.. Allen
decidedly. Come, Tom, we've nj
time to lose. See if there is rope
enough in the corner there for col
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 mind
to stand a good deal of water, the
next hour. Push her off Il
The raft swung slowly round from
its fasteDings, and IN another minnie
struck the shore current, which,
though less swift than that in the
middle of the river, was yet so strong
as to make safe navigation a difficult
task. The rain came in such blind
ing force that it was almost impos-
sible to see the shore, and the in
creasing dusk threatened to grow
into total darkness before the end
of their perilous Journey was reach
ed.
1t was barely three-quarters of an
hour from the time they left their
starting-point when the raft touched
the landing place at Woodstock,
and Tom, rope in hand, jumped on
shore to throw the loop over the post
which had always stood there.
To his dismay the post was gone,
and as the raft swept along he felt
the rope slip through his fingers in
spite of his endeavors to hold it,.
There was another point lower
down, where the raft might strike,
ii his father could keep it out of the
current by his single arm. Beyond
that the river made sudden bend,
and if the landing should be missed
there was no power that could keep
them from going down to the ocean,
He hurried to the nearest houses
of the village and gave the alarm,
and then flew down the street, which
ran parallel with the river. to the
lower landing. He was Just in time
to see his father spring from the
raft, holding the rope, and rushing
into the water up to his waist, caught
hold of it to assist. Their united
strength bade fair to bring the raft
into the eddy, and the shouts of the
rapidly advancing men, who had
been aroused by Toms brief warm
ing, gave them additional energy.
Two minutes later half a dozen
strong arms were aiding them, and
the raft was drawing TO the shore,
when the rope suddenly parted.
With a wild scream, the mother
rose, with her babe in her arms, as
if to plunge into the river. Then,
seeming to remember the children,
who clung to her garments, she sank
down again, and the next moment
the fierce current had swept them
away in the darkness. E
There was but one hope more. If
the ferry, five miles lower down,
could be reached in time, they might
be saved; and the almost distracted
father and son, mounted on horses
provided by sympathizing friends,
galloped there. Too late! The fer
ry keeper had seen some black OBJ
.ject rush by in the darkness, and.
heard cries for help which he was
unable to give They were in the
hands of Gcd, and He only could
help them. -,
Ali that night farmer Allen paced
the floor of his desolate home. The
friends who came to comfort him
found their endeavors. vain. He
wished to be alone with his sorrow.
Tom had remained at the ferry, de-
,termined to take boat at early day
light and follow down the river.
There was little sleep that hight
in Woodstock, and long before the
usual time for the village to be sstir,
little groups were abroad in the rain,
discussing the sad events Of the pre-
vious evening. 50 5sr s
Suddenly there was stir in the
direction of the little telegraph Of
fice, and the operator, who slept
there, came rushing out with seal
ed envelope in his hand, in a state of
great excitement.
Who'll carry this over to Farmer
Aliens? he shouted.
What is itP Any newsP Is it about
his felksl M
He'll tell you. It's his news. Pve
mo right to tell you'll wish l hsdl
Who'll take it?
/ will! I will exclaimed half a
dozen, eager to be the bearer of the
news.
The message was entrusted to one
of the fieetest footed boys of the
village, who sped over the mile that
lay between the Office and Farmer
Aliens like a greyhound. i
Here's something for you, he pant
ed, as he burst into the house, with
outknocking. - q
The farmer took it mechanically,
without a thought that it concerned
those whom he already looked upon
as in heaven. Breaking the seal, be
opened the folded slip of paper and
glanced at its contents, Then with
q fervent 'sThank Godl" he fell upon
his knees, and the feelings SO long
pent up found vent in tears of thank
fulness.
The message was a brief one. 1t
ran:
JOIN AILEN;-Your wife and children
were picked up at light this morning, on a
shingle-raft, three miles above this city.
AL safe. answer. q l''" ei
Swift as were the feet of the mes
senger, they had hard work to keep
pace with John Aliens on the re-
turn.
The news spread like wildfre, and
within half an hour everybody in
Woodstock knew the contents Of the
dispatch. asHa
Little more need be said. Farmer