The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-13

pluR ucE SClC0 w % HA1opCA3 PAoJ
too, sometimes. I have never told you,
but I've been feeling right serious here
OF late. I've taken to readin' my Bible,
and I've Just made up my mind to live
better'n used to; and pray for you, too!
and it seems like God hears me-" And
she laid her head on his shoulder to hide
her tears.
His arms slipped around her, but he
still kept his eyes turned stubbornly
away from hers. At last, laying his face
against hers, he spoke earnestly eyes,
Nancy, I promise"
Presently, starting up, he exclaimed
eff T haven't stayed till plum daylight!
"Oh, John come and kiss baby afore
you 60, he looks 80 sweet. Sammy
Sammy !! wake up, honey, and kiss
"Bless his sleepy eyes! Pappy's
little man I'll bring him some candy
when come home ag'in."
All day Nancy went about with such q
light, CHEEKY heart as she had not car
ried in her bosom for many day sing
ing snatches of old hymns, and thinking
happy, hopeful thoughts of him who,
all those long hours, was working his
rudder against the strong current of the
Missouri.
That evening the stars shone brightly
down upon her, when she kuelt by the
little window, and asked Gods blessing
on her husband and his good resolu-
tions.
But she was awakened, a few hours
afterward, by a rush and confusion, a
shower of glass and hail across her bed ;
and, catching her baby in her arms, she
sprung up, frightened and bewldered.
It was terrible storm one long to be
remembered by all who felt its terrors
The deafening roar of the wind and hail
almost drowned the loud thunder. A
binding flash of lightning showed the
trees almost bent to the ground, and
the house rocked to and fro like a
cradle.
She suddenly felt new, strange feel
ing, as if she was flying, floating,
through the air. She thought that she
was dizzy, and caught hold of the bed.
A terrible crash-she never knew how
it ali happened! Her baby's cries
aroused her. The wind and rain chilled
her through. She started to spring up,
but something held her down. A shock
of pain darted over her, and, putting
out her hand, she felt great beam
lying heavily across her limbs. 1t
seemed as though it was crushing her.
Something struck her, then another,
and another. How they stung2 Oh
was her child unsheitered from that pitt
less storm? His screams grew louder.
Oil she must reach him She could
see nothing through the thick darkness,
but she knew that he was not far off.
What if be, too, was fastened, crippled !
She stretched her arms ; every move
ment made her pain more excruciating.
She strained every nerve, she could al
most reach him. What if he was free
and could come to her2 "Oh, Sammy
Sammy" she called, "cometo nanny.
The child ceased crying. She heard
him move. His warm body touched
her hands, that were cropping in the
darkness. She caught him in her arms
and hugged him to her breast. She felt
of his head, his arms, his feet; sound
and whole. How thankful she was for
that. But how those cruel nailstones
must have bruised him. She rested
him on the ground and orouched over
him she could move just enough for
that. The frightened child ceased cry
ing, and put his arms about her neck.
If she could only find something to
cover them from the storm. She reached
around, but could touch only cold mud.
Oh that terrible pain She had al
most forgotten it in her anxiety for her
child. It grew more and more intoler-
able. 1t seemed as though the hail
stones struck through into her brain.
What. if they killed her! Was she
afraid to die2 Visions of eternity, of
the heaven of her faith, rose before her.
Should she dwell with God and the
angels forever2 Was it possible that
there would never be an end2 No. she
was not afraid of death. But her child,
her husband-how could she leave
thema Not yet No, no, when life
opened before her She must live to
help John keep his promise. God
would spare her for that. How long
would it be until morning9 How could
she bear the pain so long9 Oh, it
would be terrible if John should come
and find her lying there, cold and stiff.
John did love her, oh! 80 well. He
had loved her SO long. 1t seemed so
many years since he 6rst told her that
he loved her ; it was on the mountain
side, in dear old Tennessee. How far
away it seemed. How the sun shone
and the birds sung. How dreamy and
bewildered her thoughts were. How
still the baby was. Yes, she could feel
his heart beat. She no louger felt the
pelting of the storm had it ceased2
Her thought was answered by rush
of wind from new direction. She felt
the great weight lifting of from her.
She was free. Then-something struck
her.
r
The train went snorting into Winthrop
just at daylight. John jumped off, and
was the first to reach the ferry. He
had never seen Atchison 30 quiet. With
the exception of those who had crossed
on the ferry, and few early risers who
we're hurrying up the street, the town
seemed asleep; but as he passed up the
street he saw man who was riding q
mule coming down in great haste, who
cried out: "How dye, John2'
"Why, Jake!' he replied, sis that
you9 l allowed you was half way to
Denver afore now.'
"We started yesterday, but we had
powerful storm on the prairie out
here last night. We CHANGED TO be
right near to house and they let US in;
but it sent our old wagons rolling over
and over across the prairie, and our oxen
all stampeded; I'm on the hunt of them
now"
cit don't look like it had reached
Atchison."
"No; I reckon it just took streak. u
John hurried on down the river. The
road ran so near the bank that the steady
swash of the water seemed under his
feet. The birds were singing in the
trees, ard the sunshine came creeping
down the bluffs overhead. How cage,
he was to get home that morning. His
heart was full of new plans and new
purposes. He could keep his promise,
and he would; he would never make
Nancy's heart ache again by breaking
that promise. He stopped Suddenly