American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-11-13
THE RISING OF THE RIVER.

! was young. My husband was manu-
facturer in pretty country village,
| and we lived in little white house
close by the mountain stream that sup
piled the factory with water. 1t was a
| lovely, romantic spot. The wooded
slopes of the mountains on one side
| came to the waters edge, while on the
other Law the green meadows, dotted
with the white houses and spires of the
hamlet. Between US and the river
stretched the highway, following the
| course of the stream for miles, while
the water foamed and sparkled over
the brown rocks, making music night
and day. There L was as happy as the
day was long. 1t was my pride to keep
my house as neat and bright as possible.
so that Tom might find rest and comfort
when he came home tired from his
days work. When every thing was in
readiness for him-the table spread, the
fire bright, and the kettle singing on
| the hob-I used often to lock my door,
and, going out, lose myself in the woods,
and, resting for a time on the messy
rocks, dreamily watch the river, singing
along to itself in a happy monotone.
| Sometimes the school-children would
come trooping through the woods.
filling the air with the music of their
happy voices-little barefooted urchins,
with tangled locks and bright eyes, a
| motely assemblage, with ragged
| clothes and brimless hats and dirty
faces, but a very joyous one. How
they used to stare when they saw me,
whispering to and nudging each other
| with wide-open eyes; then, unresponsive
to my friendly advance, darling off in
pursuit of birds or squirrels, leaving
my solitude as unbroken as before.
But the long drives with Tom were
| my chief delight. The little brown
| horse and open wagon were brought to
the door almost every afternoon, and
away we would go, frolicking like two
children, with Rover, the dog, follow
ing; and the horse shaking his wise old
head in solemn disapproval of our pro-
ceedings. First we would visit the
farmhouse whege. Toms father and
mother lived; give and receive the news
of the day; then off again-over the
hills and through the woods. Memory
still brings back tonne the'odor of the
pines, and again breathe the sweet
mountain-air.
Our neighborhood was very social
one, and Tom and / were invited
everywhere. Picnics, huskings, tea
parties followed each other in quick
succession, and l came to know the
pleasant country people well. Still,
| there were times when l grew very
lonely, with Tom away all day and no
sound to be heard save the murmur OF
the river and the singing of the birds.
But after my baby came l was never
lonely again. What a wonder he was
| to me at first, with his funny little
ways! l was almost afraid to touch
him. for fear he would drop to pieces in
my arms. But l soon grew accustomed
to him, and many a frolic we had,
while Tom sat by, laughing at us.
REALLY, Mollie." he would say, 81
do not know which is the bigger baby
of the two" But he was very proud
of us, for all his teasing. a year
or two after baby's birth. my
sister Katie came to spend the
winter with me. She was handsome,
high-spirited city girl, and soon all
hearts yielded to her power, and no COM
pany was considered complete without
the beautiful Miss Lacey. "Well.
Katie" Tom used to say. 81 need not
have bought any wood this winter, for
the whole house is hot with the sighs of
despairing lovers. But she was hard
hearted and would look at none OF
them Among her other admirers was
a Mr.. Pierce. a young wyerlately set
tied in the village and a great favorite
| with Tom and me; but l think that
Katie treated him rather worse than
she did any one else. often grew
angry with the child; but no anger
could long withstand the charm of her
winning ways, and. although I began
by scolding her, / generally ended by
laughing at her. How lovely she used
to look, as she came dancing into my
room, ready for some pleasure, with
her eyes shining like stars, her cheeks
| like roses, and her face beaming with
mischief under her white hood. ''I
| came! l saw! ] conqueredn' was her
motto, and she fully carried it out.
remember that great deal of snow fell
that winter, and as spring came on all
the rivers and brooks became very
much swollen; but our river had never
been known to rise very high and we
feared no danger. Ny second boy was
born in March, pretty. blue-eyed lit
tie darling-and the happiness of our
home was complete. One very stormy
day, when my baby was about a week
old. Katie came running into my room.
sob! Mollie," she cried, az wish that
you could see the river. 1t is perfectly
| beautiful. 1t has risen considerably
/
over the rocks one sheet of foam" As
she spoke, l could hear distinctly the
rushing of the water. - Leave the
door open, Katie" l said. ''Perhaps
l may be able to catch a glimpse of it. -
She obeyed, and 1 could plainly see the
white line of the river hurrying along.
| A little later, Katie came in again.
"Mollie," she said. '.has the river ever
| risen as high as the road?'' mo"
| replied; such thing was never known.
Has it now. Katie?' "Yes,"- she an
swered, quickly, seeing my excitement;
"but do not think it will rise any
higher. 1 will go and watch.'' She
left me, and for time heard nothing
but the pouring of the rain and the
roaring OF the river; that to my excited
fancy seemed to grow louder and loud
err At last Katie entered the room.
Her face was very pale, but her eyes
shone with resolution. "Ithink that
will go to the factory for Tom," she
said. in a cheerful voice. 1.-The river
is still rising and l would much prefer
to have him here .sOh, Katier' ]
cried, excitedly. "do not leave me
alone with the children. There surely
can be no dangern'
She was silent for moment, and then
said, gently: "There may be danger,
| Moliie; and / want to avoid it, both for
you and the children. Some one must
go for Tom"
As she spoke the roaring became
more distinct, and. starting up, saw
that the water had crossed the road