Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-09-03

carried away, an stuck fast ill the branch
es of big tree behind the pr oprietor'
house. looked over to the clock to Sc,
how much time was left me, an I found
that l could not see the hands any longer
the darkness had come on in the last few
minutes Then gave up all hope for
] knew could not hold on till morning.
4 I tried to think of death an to make my
self ready for it, but I couldn't
not prayer nor good wore
could I call to mind, only 60
ing over an over again in my head the
way 'twOuld all happen-how the people
would 60 away one by one, how I'd be left
alone in the darkness and the bowling
wind, an how at last I'd not be able to
hold on longer, an fall an be found in
the morning all crushed out o. shape. The
people below seemed to have given up all
thought of helping me now, an were stand.
ing quiet.
Twas so dark by this time that 1 could
mot distinguish their faces at all; could
lust make out Squire Philip in his dark
lsuit among the white millmen, an poo
Katie. She was crouching down ON the
Eground now, her apron over her head. All
Of sudden I saw her leap up with great
cry, an clap her hands, an call out some
thing. Then there was confused sort Of
shout as if every one in the crowd was say
ing the same thing at the same time, an
then Squire Philip, making a sign to 81
lence them, put his two hands up to his
mouth, an sang out in a voice that came
up to me above the wind:
'sTake off your stocking and ravel 1t; the
thread will reach the ground
At first didn't understand him, being
dazed like, but then the meaning came on
me like message from heaven. got off
one Of my socks with some trouble-nice
new ones they were, too, of Katie's own
knitting, that she had given me in a
Christmas box-an' with the help Of my
teeth I loosened one end of the thread. It
gave readily enough after that, an when
had got a good piece Of 1t ripped I tied
my knife to the end of it to make 1T heavy,
an lowered it down. ripping more and
more Of the sock as it went down. Then
felt it stop. an presently there came a
shout telling me to wind it up again. Very
slowly and carefully did it. fearing that
che string would break. an when the last
bit of it came up there was piece of strong
Irvine tied tied to the end Of it. The Irvine
in its turn brought the rope had gone up
by, and then felt that was safe.
managed somehow to put it through
the pully, and to haul up the plank and as
soon as they had fastened the other end to
the windlass below, they gave me the word
to come down.
was so numb an stiff that could not
| fix myself on the plank, but I managed
somehow to cling to the ropes with my
hands. Down, down came, every turn
of the windlass making the voices below
seem nearer an nearer, an when was
within few feet of the ground there were
a dozen pairs of arms ready to catch me,
an score of hands held out to me, an a
hundred voices to welcome me. An there
was my father waiting for me, an Philip
saying:
"But for the girl he d have been up there
still. Not one of us would have thought
of the stocking; twas the brightest idea
I've come across this many day. She has
saved his life, Forde, and you can't refuse
your consent any longer"
BuG when looked round for Katie, she
was nowhere to be seen. She must have
slipped off as soon as she saw was safe.
The young squire carried my father an
me away, 1 didn't quite know where, 1 was
so dazed, but in minute or two I found
myself in warm lighted dining room at
the masters house and Master Philip shak-
ing hands with my father. As soon as I
could, I made my escape, an went down
to Katie's cottage. I hadn't been there
five minutes when there was knock at
knock at the door, and in walks my father.
He went straight up to Katie. holding out
his hand.
'sKatie, my girl,'' he said, tive come
to ask your pardon for anything I've ever
said or done against you, an if you an
Jim are still Of the same mind I won't
hinder you from marrying. IT'S you have
the best right to him, for you've saved his
life.''
"And tits proud an glad I am that
was able to do that same, Mr.. Forde, said
Katie.
"And you'll marry him, won't you, my
dear?"
eff you are satisfied SIR
81 am, my dear, quite satisfied"
| And with that he kissed her; and from
that day to this, he and Katie have been
! the best of friends. He has lived with us
for the last year or two, for he was getting
a little past his work, an the proprietor
| pensioned him off. He is very happy with
with us, an he is never tired of telling the
children the story of the way that their
mothers cleverness saved my life.
An Interview with Mrs. Gen. Grant.
Mrs. Grant was found to be delightfully."-
off-hand and pleasant. She talked right
and left, and to many at a time, laugh
| ing and chatting without cessation and
apparently without firing.
''This will be your first visit to Denverp"
some one suggested inquiringly to her.
mo, indeed; have been there twice
before"
"You are almost as great traveller as
the Generaip'
eyes; 1 generally 60 with him.
nor mill nh, \ %I,o