West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-10-13

O
! upheaved from their foundations, an,
dashed against the bridge Wedged il
between the unyielding rocks whicl
formed the abutments, and disrupted
materials, 50 clogged and choked tn,
natural channel, that the fast-increasin.
waters swellcd upward, and began {,
| spread over the level ground on which
the widows dwelling stood
All was the work of moment; anC
before Mary could find voice To sounC
| the alarm, these lone females and chill
dren were isolated amid the rapidly
deepening waters. The advancing stream
soon rose above the door-sill, and wher
Mary took in her arms the last of tn,
frightened children To carry il To tn,
chamber above, every football FLASHED in
the water that now covered the floor
The helpless victims screamed for assist
| ance from the windows, but the thunder
OF the torrent Knocked and drowned
their voices. Then, as the hope of life
passed away, they knelt and prayed t.
Heaven To have mercy on their souls.
At length, when the water had NOR,
than half filled the lower story, "A tardy
villager appeared on the adjacent bank,
who was speedily Joined by others, and
soon Charles Seaburn was among them.
What sight ior his eyes to behold
There knelt Mary by the window, pale
as death, with clasped hands and
dishevelled hair, looking appealingly
upon him, and he powerless To aid her in
the extremity of her peril. In very
madness he would have rushed into the
torrent, had he not been forcibly re-
strained by the villagers.
Cyrus Tompkins also was there, but
his calmness contrastcd singularly with
the wild anxiety manifested by a rival.
All efforts are vain" said Tompkins.
in composed tone, indicative either of
the most sublime Christian resignation
or the most utter hcartlessness; cit is
impossible TO save them"
Nonsense cried Charles, with flash
ing. eyes and quivering lip; " she must
she shall be savedw
Then, after moments pause, his fea-
lures working in agony, 81 have it!
have it!' he exclaimed "follow mew
The village was half mile distant,
and thither he directed his flying steps,
followed by his companions, as vet
ignorant of his plans, but inspired by
his manner with a newborn though
underlined confidence. He stopped at n
tall " liberty-pole on the green.
"Cut it DOWN. he cried. &" For
Heavens sake be quick, or they are
lostr
In moment the pole lay PROSTATE
horses were speedily attached, and it
was dragged on gallop to the scene of
danger.
On reaching the bank, the pole was
reared on its larger end, and. being
directed toward the house, was permitted
to fall. So accurately was it aimed that
the top lodged Oh the window-sill, the
inmates being first mctioned to stand
bac';. Quicker than thought, Charles
divested himself of whatever articles of
clothing might impede his motions, and
clinging to the pole, clambered TO the
window as expeditiously as sailor
ascends mast.
Come Mary" said he; 80 not a second
is TO be lost"
The children frstw she resolutely
exclaimed.
He knew her self-sacrificing spirit too
well to waste the precious moments in
unavailing discussion. Fastening one of
the children to his back with shawls and
handkerchiefs, he returned as he went,
and safely deposited his burden. But
why multiply words? In the same
manner were all the children restored to
their anxiously expectant parents.
Now, Mary, for Heavens sake,
hasteW
No! my mother firstW
With an exclamation of despair he
hastened to obey her, for his strength
was almost gone.
Farewellp' he cried, straining her tc
his breast, and kissing her cheeks and
forehead, as he again deferred heI
preservation to that of her mother.
When he reached the shore with his
burden, he lay for moment painting
with exhaustion, while the blood
covered his lacerated hands and feet
But Mary, the most precious of all-hi,
/ own treasure-was yet to be saved
Again he sprang to the pole, once more
he entered the chamber. He appeared
at the window with his burden. Th,
house tottered as though balanced on
pivot. The people shouted to encourag,
| him as nc started on his last perilou
| descent. Once---twice--thric huns
suspended over the raging abyss in sheei
exhaustion. Again he starts; theii
hands almost touch him they hav,
| grasped his feet and now, while house
pole, and all, go crashing down amid tn,
dashing billows, the lovers rest i'm safety
on the bank!
Need we add that from that time fOrtl
the mother and the daughter were o
| ono uniud9