The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-11-11

up W Jul NCIl WAhuOWcs
gave shrek of despair. "Go quick
Tyr 1 cried, hardly knowing what 1
said, "and take the children with YOU"
cit is too late to take the children, but
will 60, Mollie, and bring help" she
answered. calmly; and, placing little
Robbie on the bed with baby and me,
she bade him be q good boy and take
care of mamma. "Keep up good cour-
age, DEAR" she said, kissing me. 81
win bring help soon." My reflections,
when was left alone, were not pleas
ant ones. was too weak TO be fully
conscious of the danger; and yet the
thought that was a woman, sick and
alone in a house with two little children,
with raging torrent. rising higher and
higher, at our door, filed me with ter
Tor. But l prayed for strength and
courage as 1 tried to quiet poor little
ROBBIE, who was badly frightened. The
baby slept on, calmly unconscious
through it all, and it comforted me to
think that, as the infant lay sleeping in
my arms, even SO might I lie in the
arms of my Heavenly Father, peaceful,
in life or in death.
But 1 was not left long alone. Katie
soon returned, her clothes wet and her
cheeks flushed with excitement. Her
long hair had fallen down and hung
around her like a golden veil. had
never seen her look lovelier. "Mollie,
darling" she said, eagerly, "help will
soon come to us now. Tom will be here
with men and beats, and all will be
we'll" "Boatsr' 1 cried. "Is the
water high enough to float boat,
Katie?" "Yes," she answered. "The
water has risen above the fences by this
time" I sat up and looked at her.
"How did you ever get to the factory,
and why did you not stay there?" 1
asked. 81 did not go to the factroy,"
she replied. blushing. .'I met Mr..
Pierce" "Mr. Piercer' I echoed, in
astonishment. "Where was he goinga
Do, Katie, tell me all about it."
"Well," she replied, demurely, she
was going to the river, and the river
met him; so there was a collision. But
lie down, Mollie," she added with q
change of tone, "and 1 will tell you all.
l had not gone far on my way before
found there was to be a struggle.
The water was already above my
knees and the current so strong
that 1 could scarcely keep my footing
but managed pretty well for a time BY
walking along by the fence! but soon 1
had to cross the road, and think then,
if 1 had not remembered you and the
children, my courage would have failed
me. l left my hold of the fence and
stepped boldly forward. Oh! how
strong the current was. How the river
roared around me, as if to mock my
fear. just at this instant saw a man
walking through the flood toward me.
As he drew near, 1 saw that it was Mr..
ch t, f, H.
to the factory for help; but could not
make my voice heard above the turmoil
of the water. / saw his lips move but
by this time above my waist. the raging
torrent broke in foam around me, as II
angry at any obstacle that would bar
its way. expected each instant to be
drawn swiftly down to the dark death
below. / thought of the great mill
wheel and shuddered. At last Mr..
Pierce reached my side. He spoke no
word; but, throwing his arm around me,
supported me until 1 gained a little
strength. Leave me" cried as soon
as could speak, ..and 60 back for help.
Mollie and the children are alone in the
house, helpless. Leave me and go for
Tom, before it be to late"
"When you are out of danger, then 1
will return" was his answer. "They
are safe in the house for some time to
come, and you must be taken care of
first" still urged him to return; but
he would not listen. Come" he said,
"there is no time to be lost. The SOON
er you are out of danger the sooner will
help come to your sister" yielded at
that, and, struggling with the dark
water that threatened every moment to
engulf us, we slowly fought our way
back to the house, and he has returned
for help" Katie had scarcely finished
her story when the door opened and
Tom came in. He was pale, but calm
and quiet "Mollie. DEAR" he said,
coming to the bed and taking me in his
arms, "we must leave the house as
soon as possible. 1 have procured help
and you must be ready when it comes. 81
Tom," cried, "I cannot 90. Take
Katie and the children and leave me-.
l was trembling with fear and weakness
and hardly knew what said. The riv.
er looked to me like some mighty mon
ster, seeking to devour me. But Tom
and Katie soothed and calmed me, and
in very short time all was ready fol
our departure. We soon heard a grea,
shouting, and, looking from the win
dow, saw eight or ten men guiding 9
floating wagon. The water reached
their breasts, and it was with the great
est difficulty that they guided the wagor
close under our window. As I looked
out, saw that there was bed in thi.
new-fashioned boat.
.Mollie," said Tom, "you will have
to jump from the window into the
wagon. Courage, dear wife; the tria
will soon be over" The water by thi.
time had come in at the door, and wa.
slowly, surely making its way from
room to room. Fear lent me courage
and strength, and. closing my eyes
with silent prayer for help, 1 jumped
into the rocking vehicle below. How
the water ragged and surged about us
For a moment it seemed as If we mus,
all go down. But the men held on with
united strength and the wagon ceased
to rock so violently.
Tom dropped blanket, with which
to cover me, and then jumped from the
window into the water among the men
"Katie," he called back, "we will re
turn for you and the children. Keet
up your courage" "My babyr'
screamed. II will not 60 without my
baby" Tom tried in vain to quiet me-
1 would not listen. my babyr'
cried. 81 will not leave my babyr
And 1 sat up in the wagon, as if medi
tating plunge into the water.
"Here is the little fellow" said q
familiar voice. "Take him.. Mr.
Stevens" looked up, and saw Mr.
Pierce in the window, holding the baby
out to Tom. In the midst of my excite
ment, had time to wonder how hi
came there.
Tom handed me my little blue-eyet
darling, and 1 lay back, satisfied.
Never shall forget that journey. Tht
rain fell in torrents, the angry water.