The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-06-09

There! DO you hear II nov
Dick inclined an ear, They were iairl
clear OF the rough land OF tho base {
Dams Rock nov aud the mare was troi
ting rapidly. Suddenly her drivers hrr
hand brought her upon her haunches
Dick listened intently His wife wa
right; her ears were keener than his
There was something in the air
At that instant Mary's hand clutches
his arm convulsiyely as she cried out
oh, Dick. what is that back OF us1 Sh
was looking back with horror stricke,
eyes and pale lips.
Dick turned cloud like black wal
was rushing down upon them; il seemed
TO Dick Hopes eyes as black as ink. Al
awful fear possessed him. There was .
hush, a stiffness, in the air rs chilling as
the terrible blcuk bohind them. 6S
'longlhe exclaimed desperately, cutting
the mare fercely, with his whip.
The mare shot out like an arrow, and Of
that moment another sound smote their
ears-a sound that was like the crash OF
worlds. The mare plunged. reared, then
resumed her onward course. The owner
had lost oil control over her.
But one thought animated Dick Hope
as he clasped his wife with his right arm,
while he held fast to the reins with his
left hand, shutting his teeth like wise.
The thought was, Pray God we reach the
river bottoml
The earth groaned under their feet. A
sound like the rush and roar andscream Of
q million locomotives deafened and clasped
his young wife in his arms, He did not
see the mare; he saw nothing but his
wife's face. and something in it struck
terror to his heart. His own was ashy
gray at that moment, as was his young
wife's when she turned her last appealing
look upon him and moved her lips. His
one prayer was that they might die to-
yether. II seemed to them then that all
he sound in the air and earth was con-
lensed gathered into one awful shrek.
Earth and sky were obliterated. Dick
Hope felt himself lifted up and flung like
fake through the air.
When he recovered his senses he was
ying where lie had prayed to be--in the
iver. bottom. The awful storm did not
livide them. The tornado, like a raging
'east, had simply taken them up in its
,ath. Where they were lying the water
vas SO shallow that it scarcely covered
hem.
Dick sat up and spoke to,his wife; she
i'd not answer. Then he put one hand
p involuntary, in weak, helpless way.
here was blood on his isce; he could not
ee; his eyes were full OF sand. He struck
i,nself in despair. and, again grasping
IL wife, said, ia 4 hoarse voice: You are
OF dead, Mary?
Whether il was the water from the river
e dashed into his face, or the gush of
ears that came into his eyes, Dick does
OF know to this day, but suddenly his
yes became clear, and he could see his
lie lying. with her face next him and the
'ater washing her long hair over he breast.
10 lifted her up. He felt her hands, her
heeks. Then suddenly he summoned all
is remaining strength for one supreme
fort, and dragged rather than carried
er up to the dry shelving breach under
,e bluff MaryaHops slowly opened her
yes and looked at her husband. Then
ne put her hands slowly up to her face
nd covered it,
Dick saw the tears coursing down her
ieeks Don't-don't, Mary he said.
/ can't help it l am not crying with
ain or grief; it's because you are living,
scause we both are spared.
Dicks strength returned to him. He
ood mp and looked about him. Until
lat moment he did not know that he was
Ikcd. He pressed his eyes with his
lnds and looked down on himself like
le wakening ont OF a dream. He looked
his wife, still sitting with her face
vered with her hands: Mary, we are
most naked. There is nothing Oh me,
ID your dress i, in ribbons" He looked
, and down the river in a helpless way
III pressing hand to his heart. don't
e--sny signs of-the buggy or the horse.
len ho cast his glance at the bluff back
them. Come. lot us go up on the
nix.
He had to carry her.
1t is the horrible fright, dear Dick. I'll !.
on get over it, she said, when he set her :
wn gently on the level ground
Mary. look over there. DO you see any
ing9 My eyes are so full Of sand, so
70, that / cant make it out, quite.
looks blurred.
She did not answer him. II was not be- .
use her eyes we're not clear As she
,ked wondsringly, her hand, that had =
yer relinquished her husbands from
, moment he seated her on the prairie,
sped his convulsively, Then she ut
ed loud cry.
II expected ~ much, said Dick,
saking more to himself then TO his wife. y
thing nothing man ever made could
nd before that storm.
Oh, Dick. she exclaimed, sobbingly,
re is nothing left Of the town-not
use. ! can only see heap here and :
,re-something like fallen chimneys
oke and fire
That's the end OF Pringles Flat, Mary.
lie looked back 10 the fringe Of trees al
4 skirted portion OF the road near the
70 OF Dams Rock but little while since. :.