The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-12-06

In all time of our tribulation; in all
time of our wealth; in the hour of death,
and in the day Of judgment, good Lord,
deliver u.s.
Then Amy's voice was heard singing
to herself in the darkness quietly words
stronger and older still
Therefore win not we fear though
the earth he removed, and though the
mountains be carried into the midst OF
the sea-" and SO on through that Psalm
which has brought down through the
long centuries its freight of consolation.
Whatever comes to US, Amy is at
peace Jess said to herself, and then
something brought to her a fragment
of the beatitudes, Blessed are the
meek, for they shall inherit the earth. -
/ How far had her own proud, self
centered life been from the meekness OF
her sisters!
( That moment Jess was conscious Of
a rising and sinking of the boards
under her foot; then she heard the
FLASHING of the water about her shoes.
Amy, the water has reached us!' she
cried, and sprang up. 1.-The mill is
going; can feel it lean to this side. O
Amyr'
Amy rose to her feet. Then she
stopped quite still, her eyes fixed on her
sister, and in a strange, delighted voice
exclaimed:
1--WE thought of one more chance.
Jess, come now, up in the loft, quickr'
4 onl <,f <1o ,n,:n .lc,,,,,
the river, there was low chamber,
formerly used for drying certain kinds
of lumber. 1t had small window
opening south, and was reached by a
short ladder. Up this Amy flew, drag
cling jess after her. 1t was very dark
up there, but she did not pause for an
instant. She turned and seized the top
rung of the ladder, saying:
Help me, jess. We must pull this
ladder up. Now pull with all your
might. Here it comes;' and she began
to drag il toward the dim square of
light which was the window. STOPPING
so as not to hit the rafters, picking
their way over loose boards, feeling for
every step in the dark, they reached it.
Nov what?'' asked the older sister.
But even as she spoke, there was a
crash of loosening beams and splinter
ing boards, and Il fearful shudder all
around.
''That is the end; we are lostr'
gasped Jess, as she struggled, half
fainting, across the floor of the loft.
The sun came up clear and warm
over the Berkshire Hills. 1t shone in
through the long windows of the dining
room at the Cedars, shone on the grand
fathers white hair, and the baby's
silver cup. Hugh had arrived on the
early train, and every one was smiling.
''DO you know, SIR" said Hugh,
they say that the dam and factory up
ut Harnden's went off last night?''
II dare say. We haven't had such
a rain in years. Then, of course, the
old mill at the gorge has gomez
II suppose SO. Tom and are going
to drive up to the farm after Jess and
Amy. We shall see."
Yes, the old mill was gone, and the
dam, and the road itself. The boys
were sure of that as they turned the
horses heads into the fields, and struck
out 4 track for themselves.
"Only see, Hugh, there isn't YES
tige of it left. The flood made clean
sweep" said Tom, as they stopped and
looked across where, twenty rods away,
the mill had stood.
y Left the old elm, though, remem-
Der that grew just ut the end of the
mill. Halloo there What's that hand
kerchief waving in that tree? l hear a
voice, too. Tom, there's some one up
in the elm.''
Hugh sprang up and gave whoop.
1t was answered by the peculiar shout
which the family were in the habit of
uttering when they were scattered on
the hills.
Hugh and Tom were on the ground
and down by the water in an instant.
Hugh screamed
Amy! Why, Amy, where are you?''
'.Wc're up in this tree, Jess and l,
and we would like to get down, if you
please"
The tree was a tall one, with no
branches within twenty feet of the
ground.
At home in the library, to the whole
family, the tale of the night was told.
II never thought of the tree" said
Amy, It'll the building began to lean
down stream; then we laid the ladder
across from the window to a big branch
and climbed over
1--WE! it was all Amy" answered
Jess, lit was l that nearly tainted
away, and had to be shaken before
could drag myself up to the window.
shall always think that Amy half car
ried me over the ladder. only hope
I've learned something from this night,
that is all;'' and Jess looked ready to
cry with humiliation.
"Why, Jessie!" demonstrated Amy.
She was sitting on the arm of her
grandfather's chair. He stroked her
head, and something fell on the carpet.
Hugh picked it up, and carried it care
fully away. 1t was the little bunch
of Experimentation Eastman, in
Youths Companion.