The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-05-04

the village and gave the alarm, and
then flew down the street, which ran
! parallel with the river, to the lower
landing. Hewas Just in time to see his
father spring from the raft, holding the
rope, and, rushing in 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 rapidly advancing men, who had
/ been reused by Toms brief warning,
gave them additional energy. Two
minutes later half dozen strong arms
were aiding them, and the raft was
slowly 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 in 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.
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 ferry-keeper had seen
some black object rush by in the dark
ness, and heard cries for help, which he
was unable to give. They were in the
hands of God, and he only could help
them.
All 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 re-
manned at the ferry, determined to take
boat at early daylight and follow down
the river.
There was little sleep that night in
Woodstock, and long before the usual
time for the village to be astir little
groups were abroad in the rain, dis
cussing the sad event of the preceding
evening. Suddenly there was stir
in the direction of the little telegraph
office, and the operator, who slept
there, came rushing out with a sealed
envelope in his hand, in state of great
excitement.
Who'll carry this over to Farmer
Allen's?" he shouted.
"What is it? Any news? Is it about
his folks?''
"He'll tell you. It's his news. I've
no right to tell you. wish 1 had!
Who'll take it?''
"I will! l will" exclaimed half
dozen, eager to be the bearer of the
news.
The message was entrusted to one of
the fleetest-footed boys of the village,
who sped over the mile which lay be
tween the office and Farmer Aliens like
a greyhound.
"Here'S something for you," he pant
ed, rs he burst into the house, without
knocking.
The farmer took it mechanically,
without a thought that it concerned
those whom he already looked upon as
in Heaven. Breaking the seal, he open
ed the folded slip of paper and glanced
at its contents. Then with a fervent
" Thank Cod" he fell upon his knees
and the feelings so long pent up found
vent in tears of thankfulness.
The message was brief one. 1t ran:
FREDERICTON, n. B., April 10.
JOHN ALLEN: Your wife and children
were picked up at light this morning, on
shingleraft, three miles above this city. All
safe. Answer.
Swift as were the feet of the messen-
ger, they had hard work to keep pace
with John Aliens on the return. The
news spread like wildfire, and within
half an hour every body in Woodstock
knew the contents of the dispatch.
Little more need be said. Farmer
Allen followed the message he sent with
out the loss of an hour. That was Sun
day morning, and twas Thursday night
before the parted household again met
beneath the roof whose few hours desc
lation made it yet the more sacred and
precious to all.-The Independent.