The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-07-02

~ W hOl onO WdS tb Gu6 WIFI
esl. She chung to that name, and it
seelned sometimes as if that name were
me one little ray of reason left in her
darkened life.
Yes, mother; Pm going, too, but
you know can't carry you. You must
iet hlm," coaxed Hester.
She let him help, and, together, Andy
ana Hester lifted the light figure from
Inc bed, and splashed through the water
open.
II was not more than sixty feet to the
highway and safety. The little rope.
man stood at his post by the tulip tree.
steady, now, Gus" signaled Andy.
LET go, Hester, and mind the line. You
stay till come for you.''
andy put stout young arm about
WITS. traits waist, and, mastering all
als strength, plunged with her into the
nood, knowing that every step would
De step into less of water.
The cold flood arose about the poor
woman-so wan, so weak, so insane!
one gave one shrek that might have
pierced any heart; and then she SILVER.
ca and chung and chung, and, but for the
steady rope that Gus drew, she would
nave taken Andrew from his feet.
Its all right, now, Mrs. Pratt" said
the boy, as he got where he could lift
ner more easily and make his way out OF
the water.
Eyes, it's all right said Mrs. Pratt;
''but where is Hesterp L want Hester
(. What the mischief!'' cried man
on horseback, suddenly splashing into
the scene, his horse breathing twenty
breaths minute, as he threw himself
off, andproceeded to receive the helpless
figure that Andrew bore.
81 thought l should be in time" he
gasped. "Never rode horse so in my
life."
"I'm going now for HESTER" said An
drew, paying no attention to the horse
mans remarks, "and for some dry
blankets. I'll hurry"
"Better let me go!" said the new
conner, who held Mrs. Pratt.
"Save Hester. Col" moaned Mrs.
Pratt.
For the third time that day, Andrew
Steele plunged into the cold flood.
"Hold the bundle high as ever you
can, Hester!" said Andy, as Hester
awaited him.
The water became deeper. He swan
with her a few strokes. He whispered,
as he put her on her feet and received
the bundle to paddle out with, and she
heard the whisper above the flood, as
Andy softly said: ell 6e1iere, Hester,
that yoatr mother is all right motO."
call right?" demanded Hester. can
dy Steele, what do you meanP Tell
me-"
$50 and speak to her," was Andy's
answer, "and you'll find out, maybe
"Here l am, mother" said Hester,
approaching her gently; " and we'll soon
be in the new house, now," she added.
Hester! Hester! My child My dar-
ling! Why, Hester, haven't seen such
a flood since / was little bit of girl
and father carried me out then; and the
water made me feel, l remember, just
as it did to-day"
Certainly, these were not words of in
sanity, such as Hester was sadly accus-
toned to hear from her.
Hester Pratt's fingers shook, and her
heart was all a-tremble with gladness,
as she and Augustus got the blanket.
handle open, and wrapped many fold
about the shivering figure.
"Didn't l tell you SOP" whispered
Andrew, as the tears began to well over
from Hester's happy eyes.
"We must get out of this as soon as
possible, or the highway will be covered
before we can strike away from it!''
exclaimed the horseman, for the water
was rising faster than ever.
"There goes the bridge! There'll be
no getting home tonight" cried Gus,
as sections of the covered bridge from
above the mill went rushing down.
"My father helped build that bridge
l remember it, said Mrs. Pratt, feebly.
The newcomer, Augustus, and An
drew lifted the blanket on which they
had laid the invalid, and prepared to
march to the nearest house-Hester led
the still painting pony. And it was her
mother who had told her she "ought
not to ride when so chilled and wet.''
Was not this what any mother would
say to her daughterp Hester felt no
chill, although her flesh was shaking -
she would have walked forever in wet
garments with such joy in her heart to
keep it warm.
"After so many years." she MUIR
INJURED. "After so many years she will
get well at last-at last!" she repeated,
her eyes fondly resting on the covered
figure, borne on the blanket in front OF
her, and then on the seething waters,
that rushed and crept, and crept and
rushed even into the road-bed, as they
went onward. .....
"Oh, you blessed, blessed Mad Riv-
er!" cried Hester, in her joy, forgetting
herself.
ssWhat's the matterP" called back the
bearers, in front.
"Nothing," answered the happy fol-
lower; at which answer the pony whin-
MED a remonstrance, and deliberately
poked his nose over Hester's shoulder
into her face.
That same afternoon the Pratt cottage
was swept away. News went over the
flood that the boys were all right; but
no code of signals then known could tell
the glad tidings that Hester Pratt's
mother was no longer "that poor crazy
woman" Steele's Mill stood through
the freshet, and for generation after
ward ground wheat and corn. Mr..
Steele rheumatism left him after few
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