The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-02
THE RISING OF THE RIVER.

white house close by the mountain
stream that supplied the factory with
water. 1t was lovely romantic
SPOT The wooded slopes OF the
mountains on one side came to the
waters edge, while ON the other
Law the grean meadows, dotted win
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 ] was as
happy as the day was long. 1t was
NV pride to keep my house as neat
and bright as possible, so that Tom
might fird rest and comfort when
he came home tired from his days
work When everything was IN
readiness for him-the table spread,
the fire bright, and the kettle sing
ing on the hob-I used often 10 lock
nv door, and, going out loose my
self in the woods, and resting ior a
time on the mossy rocks dreamily
watch the river singing along to IL
self in happy monltone. some,
times the school children would
come trooping through the woods,
fill the air with the music of their
happy voices-little barefooted ur-
chins, with tangled locks and. bright
ewes. a motley assemblage, with rag
red clothes and brimless hats and
dirty faces. bus a very joyous one.
How they used to stare when they
saw me. whispering TO and nudglng
each other with wide open eyes (;
then, unresponsive TO my friendly
advances. darting off in pursuit OF
birds or squirrels, leaving my soll-
tude 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 af-
.ernoon, and away we would go,
frolicking like two children, with
Rover, the dog, following and the
horse shaking his wise old head in
solemn disapproyal of our proceed.
irgs. First we would visit the farm
house where Toms mother and
father lived: give ard receive the
news of the day: then off again
over the hills and through the
woods. Memory still brings back
to me the odor of the pines and
again | breathe the sweet mountain
air.
Oar neighborhood was social
ono. and Tom and ] were invited
everywhere. Picnics. huskings, tea
parties followed each other in quick
succession, and | came to know the
pleasant country people well. Still
there were times when | grew very
lonely. with Tom away all day, and
no sound to be heard save the mur-
mur o,the river and the singing oi
the birds. But after my baby came
| was never lonely again. What
wonder he was TO me at first, with
bis funny little wavsl | was almost
afraid 10 touch him, for fear he
would fall to pieces in my arms
But | soon grew accustomed to him
and many frolic we had, while
Tom sat by, laughing at Us. Real
ly, Molly" he would say, Il do not
know which the biggest baby of the
two" but he was very proud o
us, for all his teasing. 4 year oil
two after blby's birth, my sister
Katie came to spend the winter
with me. She was handsome
high spirited city girl, and soon al
hearts yield to her power, and nc
company WAS considered complete
without the beautiful Miss Lacy.
"Well. Katie" Tom used to say
Il need not have bought any WOOD
this winter, for the whole house j,
aot with the sighs of despairin:
lovers" Bat she was hard hearted
and would look at none of them
Among her old admirers was Mr.
Pierce, a young lawyer, lately set
tied in the village, and a great ia
yorite with Tom and me, but
think that Kate teased him rather
worse than she did anyone else.
/ often grew angry with the child
but no anger could long withstand
the charm of her winning ways, and
although | began By scolding her,
generally ended by laughing at her
How lovely she used to look, az she
came dancing into my room, ready
for some displeasure, with her eye:
shining like stars, and her cheek:
like roses, and her face bearning
with mischief under her white hood
II came, ] saw. / Iconqueredw was
her motto, and she fully carried i
out. / remember that a great deaI
of snow fell that winter, and a.
spring came on all the rivers and
brooks became very much swollen
but our river had never been known
10 rise very high, and we feared nc
danger.
Ny second hoy was born in
March-pretty, blue eyed darling
and the happiness of our home wa:
complete.
One very stormy day, when my
baby was about week old, Kate
came running into my room. "0h
Molly" she cried, Il wish YOU could
see the river 1t is perfectly beauti.
ful. 1t has risen considerably
above its banks and is hurrying
along over the rocks in one sheet OF
foam"
As she spoke / could hear dis
tinctly the rushing of the water.
Leave the door, Kate" | said.
Perhaps may be able TO catch a
glimpse of it" She obeyed, and
could plainly see the white line OF
the river hurring along.
A little later Katie came in again.
Molly" she said, "has the river
ever risen as high as the road ?"
NO" l replied such a thing was
never known. Has it now Katie ?"
'les, she answered. quickly sec
ing my excitement: ''but | don t
think it will reach any higher. |
viii 60 and watch"
She LEFT me, and for a time /
heard nothing but the pouring of
the rain and the roaring of the river,
that TO NV excited fancys eemed to