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

:. II happened many years ago, when
W s young. My husband was a manu-
facturer in q pretty country village, and
we lived in a little white house close by
the mountain stream that supplied the
factory with water. 1t was a lovely,
romantic spot. The wooded slopes o.
the mountains on one side came to the
waters edge, while on the other lay the
green meadows, dotted with the white
houses and spires of the hamlet. Be
I. tween US and the river stretched the
highway, following the course of the
stream for mills while the water foamed
:rd srarkled over the brown rocks,
making music nigh, and day. There
was AS happy as the day was long. II
wa MY pl iGe 10 keep my house rs neat
and bright as possible, so that Tom
might find rest and comfort when he
came home tired from his days work,
When everything was in readiness to1
him-ihe table spread, the fire bright,
and the kettle singing on the hob
used often 10 lock my door. and, going
out. lose myself in the woods, and, rest.
ing fer & tine on the messy rocks
dreamily watch the river singing along
to itself in a happy monotone. Some
times tie school children woul come
troopine through the woods, filling the
air with the music of their happy voices
- little barcfooted urchiDs, with tan
g'cd locks ard bright eyes, o mot ey
s~sSemhlase, with ragged clothes and
hriml. IS hats and di1ty faces, but a very
joyous one. How they used to stare
when they saw me, whispering to and
nudging each other with wice-open eyes
then, unrt sponsive to my friendly ad.
vances, darling of in pursuit OF birds or
squirrels, leaving my solitude as un-
broken as before.
But the long drives with Tom were
my chief delight. The brown little horse
and oren wagon were brought to the
door slmoSt every afternoon, and away
we would 60. foiicking like two chill
drcn. with Rover. the dog. following,
= and the horse shasirg his wise old head
in solemn ~disapproval of our proceed
jngs. First we would visit the farm
house where Toms father and mother
lived give and receive the news of the
day; then CT agair-over the hills and
through the woods. Memory still brings
back TO me the odor of the pines and
again l breathe the sweet mountain
air. -,
Our neighbcrhood was a very social
one, and Tom and I were invited every
where. Picnics. huskings, tea.parties
followed each other in quick succession,
and | came to know the pleasant coun-
try people well. Still, there were times
when I grew very lonely, with Tom
away all d ay and no sound to be heard
save the murmur of the river and the
singing of the birds. But after my
haby came I was never lonely again.
= What a wonder he was to me at first,
with bis funny little ways was al
most afraid to touch him, for fear he
would drop to pieces in my arms. But
= I soon grew accustomed to him, and
MANY froiic we had. while Tom sat by.
laughing at us Really, Mollie." he
would say, 81 do not know which is
the biggest baby of the two" But he
was very proud of us, for all his t'asing.
A year or two after baby's birth, my
sister Katie came to spcn the winter
with me. She was a handsome, high
spirited CITY girl. and soon all hearts
yielded to her power and no company
was considered complete without the
beautiful. Miss Lacey. "Well, Katie
Tom used to say, II need not have
bought any wood this winter, for the
whole house is hot with the signs O
, despairing lovers" But she was hard
hearted and would lock ut none O.
them. Among her other admirers was
a Mr.. Pierce, a young lawyer lately
settled in the village ard q great favor
ire with Tom and me; but l think that
Kate tessed him rather worse than she
did any one else. ! often grew angry
with the child; but nc anger could long
withstand the charm of her winning
ways, and, although l began by scold-
ing her, 7 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 boaming with
mischief under her white hood. II
came! 1 saw! l conquered" was her
motto. and she fully carried it out.
remember that a great deal of snow fel!
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. My second boy was born in
March-a pretty, blue-eyed little darling
and the happiness Of U home was
complete. One very stormy day, when
my baby was about a week old, Katie
. came running into nv room. "Oh
Mollie,' she cried, Il wish that you
could see the river. tits perfectly beau.
tiful. 1t has risen considerably above
its banks and is Lurrying along over the
rocks in one sheet of FOAM" As she
spoke l could hear distinctly the rushing
nc tho uotor - ooro fIo Aoor oroo
Katie" I said. "Perhaps I may be able
and 1 could plainly see the white line OF
Katie came in again. "Mollie," she
the road?" No" / replied, such s
thing was never known. Has it now
Katief" Yes" she answered, quickly
think it Will rise any higher. I will g
and watch" She left me, and for tim,
Heard nothing but the pouring of thu
rain and the roaring of the river, that K
my excited fancy seemed to grow loude
room. Her face was very pale, but bel
eyes shone with resolution. 81 thinl
that I will 90 to the factory for Tom,
SuS Sdlu, Ill u Cueel1Ul NOiCt. LII
r. yer is still rising, and I would mucl
prefer to have him here" "Oh, Katie!
I CRIED, excitedly, do rot leave m,
alone with the children. There sure
can be no danger!'
She was 81 ent for a moment. and thel
said. gently: "Therc may be danger
Mollie, and | want to avoid it, both TO
you and tie children. Some one mus
90 for Tom"
As she spoke tie roaring became NOR
distinct, and, starting ur, | saw tina
the water bad crossed the road and, lik
u great shining serpent, was crawlin!
up to our very windows. / gave
shrek OF despair. Go quickly" cried
hardly knowing what | said, land tax,
the children with you" It's too late
to take the children but l will 60
Mollie, and bring help" she answered
calmly; and placing little Robbie OF
the BID with baby and me, she badt
him be a good boy ana take care q
mamma Keep up your courage,
dear" she said, kissing me. II will
bring hep soon" My reflections, when
! was left alone, were not pleasant ones.
was too weak to he fully conscious OF
the danger; and yet the thought that I
was a woman, sick and alone in the
house with two children, with 9
raging torrent, rising higher and
higher, at our door, filled me
with terror. But prayed for