The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-06-01

| noi 1oeite leeb Inlgng nave climbed, but
never the old man BY her side; and not
once did the thought of escape apart
from him enter the brave girls mind.
with heart beating wildly with fear,
Ruth raised her eyes to the cloud-coyered
SKY, half breathing aprayer for aid.
while the trembling. one beside her
uttered helpless groan. Suddenly a
ray OF hope quiekened her senses. A
little higher up on the left, somewhat
elevated above the path before them.
stood the Old church untouched as vet
oy the water, looking in silent pity upon
the scene OF destruction surrounding it.
1t was possible that safety might be
found there; even though the waves
should reach it, might not the strono
foundation on which it had stood so lonS
prove invincible?
oh,,.aLr, nhe cnuren' grandfather, the
church!' cried Ruth, in tones of hope
and encouragement. .sSurely we will
ne safe there's" and the next moment
they were hurrying over the short space
intervening, and finding but feeble re-
slstance in the old lock, they soon stood
within the silent church.
was it that the soothing spirit of
prayer still lowered like incense about
the place, or was it the thought of the
ever-ablding presence of God IN this his
house, that seemed to- impart sudden
calm to the weary old manp Silently he
sank within one of the old-fashioned
peWsi and here, ah, yes, here, he could
dle peacefully if such were Gods will.
The lantern gave but feeble light in
the great room; but thankful for even
this mitigation of the darkness, Ruth
placed it near, and with loving, tender
care knelt beside her grandfather. still
bent on cheering and encouraging him.
| Il think we are surely safe here.
grandpapa," said she, nesting close to
him in her old childlike way, feeling
now having done all that she could, a
sudden longing for comfort and support.
80 trust SO, my child,'' answered the
Old man, In a tone so strong and calm
that it surprised as much as it comforted
the young girl :. God has surely guided
and sustained you in this hour Of dam
ger, and we are. now in His hands; he viii.
save or take us to himself as he sees
best.'' - ~ xi
A deep silence fell upon them, then,
trembling. prayerful silence on Ruth's
part, Tor nearer and nearer came the
sound OF the rushing water, while great
sense OF desolation crept over her (
Suddenly cold dampness seemed to
pervade the room, and the next moment
q perceptible tremor passed over the
building, causing the young girl to spring
to her feet and clasp her arms about her
grandfather, trembling violently,
0rioE1v rs.xJ 4. a
to him, pressing her tenderly to his
breast.
6 Be brave, my child,'' he said in a
voice subdued, but calm;s sa the hour of
danger has come, but God is with us
still.''
Again and again came that culver
through the old building, while around
it could be distinctly heard the splash of
waves; then came one convulsiye throe.
that seemed violently wrenching timber
from timber, and with a rocking, reel
ing motion the old church, with its liv-
ing inmates, was washed from its foun- |
dations, and loated away on the bosom
OF the angry stream.
Almost unconscious from fright, Ruth
lay on her grandfather's breast; but as
the movement became more regular and
steady, she raised her pale face and
:" Grandpapa, are we really foatingp
:. Yes, my child, like the ark of DID,
her grandfather. eve are
adrift, and God only knows how long
we may float, or what the end will be-.
Let us not murmur at his will; we will
perhaps find many friends who have
gone tonight into the other world
The girl hid her face again for
but suddenly faint, as it were,
far off sound broke the stillness-the
sound OF bell feebly, slowly tolling.
Ruth started up. 80, listen, grand
fatherr' she cried. /" it is the bell, the
church bell, tolling with the motion of
,he wavesr'
The old man started, listening intently
also, and a tear moistened his eye,. trick
ing slowly down his furrowed cheek.
Aye, child, it is the old bell of st.
Johns, that has rung out many chime.
It is tolling now its long last message
1olling its own knell, and the knell of
he many that tonight have passed
away
But to Ruth the familiar sound, solemn
md sad as it was, seemed to bear a
message of life and hope; and, with her
Toung face all aglow, she started once
lgain to herfeet, exclaiming: Is
s. Grandfather, / know what will do!
viii climb the belfry stair, and hang
he lantern from its high window, and / 1
will send out such peal from the good
I'D bell that help, / am sure, must
,omen Hes
! Timid for her safety, where he was
rave for his own, the old man anxiously
ried to dissuade her from an effort so &
Ierilous at this hour of darkness; but,
carce waiting for permission, Ruth had {
lready darted away with the lantern,
saving her grandfather in the solemn
where he could only wait and
ray, while she was cautiously but
Witty climbing the belfry stair. IT
On through the gloom and silence the t
Id church foated, when suddenly I
lrough the darkness bright light /
parked like beacon star from light (
ouse tower, and above the din of the i
ushing waters. q ringing peal came | +