The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-11-10

''Boarsm l cried. us the
high enough to float a boat,
katiep" Yes" she answered. The
has risen above the fences by
time l sat up and looked at her.
How did you ever get to the factory,
and why did you not stay there's"
II did not 60 to the factory"
she replied, blushing. ~ met Mr..
PIERCE Mr.. ielceT l echoed, in
establishment Where was lie going?
Do. Katie, tell me all about It,"
Well" she replied, demurely, che was
going to the river, and the river met
him so there was a collision. But lie
down, Mollie," she added, with a change
Of tone, and l will tel! you all. ! had
not gone far or my way before l found
that there was to be q struggle. The
water was already above my knees, and
the current so strong that | could
scarcely keep my footing, but managed
pretty well for a time by walking along
by the fence; ! ut soon l had TO cross
the road, and | think then, if had not
remembered you and the children, my
courage would have failed me: L leit
M hold OF the fence and stepped DO Oily
forward. Oh! how long the current
was. How the river roared around me,
as if TO mock nv fear. Just at this IN
slant I saw a man walking through the
flood toward me. AS he drew near, |
saw that it was Mr.. Pierce. shouted
to him to 20 back to the factory Tor
help: but could not make my voice
Heard above the turmoil of the water.
I saw his lips move, but coulG near w
sound. The water was oy thls tlule
above my waist, the raging torrent
broke in foam around me, as II an!ry aI
any obstacle that would bar it, way. l
expected each instant to be drawn
swiftly down to the dark death below.
I thought OF the great mill-wheel an
shuddered. At last Mr.. Pierce reached
side. He spoke 10 word; but,
throwing his arm around me, supported
until I rcgained a little strength:
Leave me-" ! cried. rs soon as could
speak. land 60 back for help. Mollle
and the children arc alone in the house,
helpless. Leave me and 60 for Tom,
before it be too late" $780,,
"When you are out OF danger, tnen l
will return" was his answer. .lhey
are safe in the house for some time TO
come, and you must be taken Gaze OF
first" 1 still urged him to return; but
be would not listen. Come" he SAD,
"there is nc time to be lost. The sooner
YOU are out of danger the sooner vii!
help come to your sister" | yielded at
that, and, struggling with the dark
water that threatened every moment TO
engulph 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 anu
Tom came in. He was pale, but calm
and quiet. "Mollie. DEAR" he said,
coming to the bed and taking nc IN MS
arms, 1--WE must leave TINS mouse as
as possible. I have procured nelp
and you must be ready wien 1t comes
Toni cried, Il cannot go. lake
X attic and the children and leave me-"
l was trembling with fear and weakness
and hardly knew what | said. The rlver
looked to me like some mighty monster,
seeking to devour me. But Tom and
Katie sootbed and Gained me, and IN 8
very short time all was ready for our
We soon heard a great
shouting, and, looking from the Win
dow, saw eight or ten men guiding a
wagon. The water reached
their breasts, and it was with the great
est difficulty that they guided the wagon
close under our window. AS l looked
out, I saw that there vas a bed in this
new-fashioned boat.
"Mollie." said Tom, "you wi have
to Jump from the window into the
wagon. Courage, dear wife; the trial
will soon be over" The water by this
time had come in at the door, and was
slowly, surely making its way from
room to room. Fear lent me courage
and strength, and, closing my eyes,
with a silent prayer for help, l Jumped
into the rocking vehicle below. How
the water ragged and surged about us!
For q moment it seemed as if we must
all 20 down. But the men held on with
united strength and the wagon ceased to
rock so violently. =,
Tom dropped 8 blanket, with which
to cover me, and then jumped from the
window into the water among the men.
Katie" he called back, 1--WE will re-
turn for you and the children. Keep up
your courage" My BABY screamed.
Il will not go without my baby"
Tom tried IN vain to quiet me. would
pot listen. My baby!" | cried. 81
will not leave my baby!" And l sat up
in the wagon, rs if meditating plunge
into the water.
Here is the little fellow" said a
familiar voice. "Takc him. Mr..
Stevens" I locked up, and saw Mr..
Pierce n the window, holding the baby
out to Tom. In the midst of my excite
ment l mad time to wonder how he came
there.
Tom handed me my little blue.eyed
darling. and / lay back, satisfied.
Never shall / forget that journey. The
rain fell in torrents, the angry waters
rushed around the bed in which | lay,
holding my baby in my arms, expecting
death each instant. The gallant men
struggled on, the water reaching their
shoulders, ever rising higher and
higher. Fences, young Nees, frag
ments of every description foated
by us, impeding VI progress,
threatening destruction; but God, in
his loving mercy, saved US. By
degrees we left the direct course of the
food behind US, the water grew lower
and lower, and the men were enabled
to draw tile wagon straight up to our
fathers door. Tom carried me into the
house, where his mother and 8 sters
were a~nxiously watching for US, and
loving hands attended 10 all my wants.
The baby escaped uninjured; but I, the
danger and excitement over, became IN
unconscious and for weeks my life was
despaired of. Not until a long time
afterward was 1 able to hear KaLie's
story. Mr.. Pierce had been one of the
helpers until he saw Katie was to be
left alone. Then he determined to stay
behind too. The water rose SO rapidly
that they were obliged TO seek shelter
on. the roof before help came. Here it
was in the midst of the danger that they
came to understand each other, and
Katie has since confessed to me that the
half hour spent on the roof OF the little
house in the pouring rain. with the
flood roaring around them, was the hap
piest she had ever known.
So ended the exciting episode Of my
uneventfu( life, and my grandchildren
never tire Of listening to the story Of the
rising of the acknowledgement.
insufficient Air.
NJ -