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

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 10 see his father spring from
the raft, holding The rope, and rushing In
the water up TO his waist, caught hold of II
to assist. Their united strength bade fair
10 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 10
the shore when the rope suddenly parted.
With a wild scream, the mother rose,
with her babe in her arms, as il 10 plunge
in the river. Then, seeming to remember
the children who clung 10 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. II the
ferry, five miles lower down, could be
reached in time, they might be saved and
the almost distracted father and son, mount
ed on horses provided by sympathizing
friends, galloped there. Too late The fer
ry-keeper had seen some black object rush
by in the darkness, and heard cries for help,
which he was unable to give. They were
in the bands of God, and He only could
help them.
All that night Farmer Allen paced the
door of his desolato home. The friends
who came TO comfort him found their en-
deavoTs vain. He wished TO be alone with
his sorrow. Tom had remained at the fer
ry, determined to take boat at early day
light and follow down the river.
There was little sleep in Woodstock that
night, and long before the usual time for
the village to be astir, little groups were
abroad in the rain, discussing the sad event
Of the previous evening. Suddenly there
was stir in the direction of the little tele-
graph Office, and the operator, who slept
there, came out with q sealed envelope in
his hand, in a state of great excitement.
"Who'll carry this over 10 Farmer AL
lens :" lie shouted.
"what isit Any newsf Is it about his
folks?"
"He'll tell you. It's his news. I've no
right to tell you. 1 wish 1 had. Who'll
take it3"
"I Wilt wiilW exclaimed halfa dozen,
eager 10 be the bearer of The news.
The message was entrusted TO one OF the
fleetest- footed boysi in the village, who sped
over the mile which lay between the office
and Farmer Aliens like greyhound.
"Here's something for you," he painted
as he burst into the house without knock
ing.
The farmer took it mechanically, without
thought that it concerned those whom he
already look ed upon as in heaven. Break
ing the seal, he opened the folded slip OF
paper and glanced at its contents. Then
with fervent "Thank Godr' he fell upon
his knees, and the feelings 80 long pent up
found vent in tears of thankfuluess.
The message was brief one. 1t ran:
"FREDRIcToN, n. B., April 18th.
John ALLEN:
"Your wife and children were picked up
at light this morning. on q shingle- raft,
three miles above this city. All safe. An
swer."
Swift as were the feet of the messenger,
they had hard work TO keep pace with John
Allen on tho return. Tho news spread like
wildfre, and within half an hour every
body in Woodstock knew the contents of
tho dispatch.
Little more need be said. Farmer Allen
followed tie message he sent, without the
loss OF an hour. That was Sunday morn
ing, and it was Thursday night before the
parted household again met beneath the
roof whose few hours desolatlon made it
yet the more sacred aud precious to all.
Independent.