The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-06-01
AN ARK OF SAFETY. i.


AN ARK OF SAFETY.
line BeIl of St. John's-A story of tn,
Recent Floods.
4 For many days the rain had fallen ir
eeaseless, heavy torrents, andfrom every
direction came now the brooks and
streams rushing with unwonted swift.
hess and ssending up a deep, hoarse
nurmur, which was but as musical
rho to the voice of the mighty, swollen
3ivers.
j In the little town of Chesterbrook
d here was every cause for the anxiety
nd alarm increasing hourly:s already
Es the giant Mississippi, near which the
iHage lay, at its greatest height known
athat point, and stealthily encroachino
sarer and nearer upon the main street,
Eh1e the inhabitants dwelling farther
aek were thankful for the natural rise
the land placing them in safer
sition. sz.,s.s-..xA .s..-
rs not the river very high, grand
sher, asked Ruth Boynton, a tirnid ac-
snt faltering in her tone.
She was young girl of fifteen years,
sled at the time with preparations for
Dc evening meal, but pausing now as
be spoke to look toward her grandfather
he sat beside the window in his Iaroe
hair, looking anxiously without.
Ruth came nearer to him, laying her
and on his shoulder.
Does it not look very, very highp',
he repeated, tsand there seem to be so
|asny timbers- floating on the waves.,'
III is, indeed, higher than I have ever
pen # in my eighty years, Ruth an
Wsred the old man in the voice grown
Feeble with age.
4 you think the town is in danger.
rndfather?" asked the young girl, a
light pallor creeping over her face as,
he spoke. R @NsE
Not tonight, child, not Tonight =
Be answered, '.and tomorrow may
bring brighter skies; aye, tomorrow,
who knows,o he murmured softly to
himself, as Ruth turned away to her
work again, and the old man folded his
hands and closed his eyes in silent
prayer to the God who rules the storm
/ and clouds.
Midnight had already passed in the
nick darkness enshrouding the silent
own, and even the most watchful and
anxious we're at last sleeping heavily,
saen suddenly-with confused thun-
asr Of sound rising in crashing din
Move the voice of storm or river and
Semlng to rend heaven and earth
sander, ! the village nesting SO peace
mly under the shadow of the hills was
oasea to death and destruction.
restrained no longer by any former
rounds, the relentless stream had broken
very barrier, and now amid the des-
pslllng cries of fated human beings was
= nll'ily sweeping away every tenement
= n:iinn psiidlng in its widening pathway.
hIthafhe first wild alarm. Ruth Bovn-
,oa mad started terrified and bewildered
;,am ;a;s! iler bed and rushed into the ad-
sailng y room to find her grandfather also
.h gIoplng with the nervous tremor of |
e, nlndly for light. In that moment |
- seemed as though the old man, |
Ta aao mad been strong for his eighty |
ssals' was transformed into a weak ana |
hnid child. -e : !" es'A 4As any
;. What is it, Ruthie?'' y he cried. with
m+ = npiorlng, piteous glance at the girl |
snllng sua with a. candle in her hand. |
All Is san IT be, and what, O what |
,.,.. = . the river, grandfather she |
osa ,sasrea, : hurrying to the door; ssthe
swens Men : s, nooaed, and everything is being |
,.,, Ny God, My Godr'cried the old |
Win laI' s. .nembling in every limb, .who
iMt,lass MaNas US. and what can I dor'
A.. "nether it was the sense of annall;ng
even g. I. M e thelr very door. or tender pity
belnlamaI = tais terrible moment for her
seamss ems companion, the young girl
me ~ .. suddenly imbued with new he
md s:1s ss:Iength tingling in every nerve:
esln,n's sh . voice almost steady, She said.
Mn sOa sO IS still with us grandfather, and
tebess ely make some way of escape; try
Bns lug ~. and. trust to his help,
essb besen as she spoke another fearfnlI
ia :, accompanied by piteous shrieIs.
iauuls;a.,n nearer catastrophe, and Ruth
ID man. many laid trembling hand on the
u bastaaale, grandfather" said she, "let
Il therss 70 the nearest house; they may
IN llas ha, making some plan for safety and
aekkerins us, - and waiting to exchange the
lelpIess candle for a lantern, the two !,
'eaof FL ~ ones hurried out into the dark j
elhe a a',le aee were they prepared for the !
n a.. il .aesolation around them; only
aawiththac = gllmmered moving lights
tlefeahlee SLOW progress alone possible $
'sS condition of her companion | ,