The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-11-15

rVer was not yet as high as she had
sGen it, but she observed with some un-
ssiness that it had advanced upon
them pereeptibly during the last few
li,urs.
Il don't believe the levee will break,
though, she said, trying to encourage
larself and Pearl
Their dinner was eaten rather more
seberly than quite suited the little girl;
but after everything was cleared away
ard she had taken another look outside.
beth felt better at perceiving that the
waters seemed at stand-still.
''Bring me the brush for your pretty
hair, Pearl.
1t was one of the few things she still
had energy to do, this brushing and
f0ndling of the ehild's hair No one,
seeing its beautiful luxuriance, could
wonder at her loving admiration. Pearl
took innocent pleasure in it as one Of
the things which made her sweet to
father and mother, and laughed as
mamma loosened the soft braids and
held up the wayy mass to catch the
sunshine.
Papa says it's my golden flag" she
said. "When | was out hunting old
Snow last week he knew it was me wien
| was mile away
"Then you must hang out your f'ag
whenever you want him to find you. /
wish auntie were here to help you to-
day, my pet"
But the hand which held the long
golden braid suddenly dropped.
"Look there, Pearl!'
| Pearl sprang up and saw trees not far
/ from their door standing in water,
where water had never been before. In
one moments glance she marked how
| theriver was broadening and swelling.
| There was no sudden rush or roar, as
would have been the case with mar.
rover stream, or one with high banks;
but there was still something mysterious
and terrible in the low, half-hissing,
half-murmuring with which the pitiless
flood was fast creeping upon them.
She turned with one thought in her
brave little heart-of caring for her
mother as she had promised.
Mamma, darling, don't be fright
ened. You must get to the boat-you
| can, | know, when [ most carry you.
But the poor woman cried and
trembled.
20, why did they leave us! The
levee has broken, We shall be drowned,
Pearl, all alone here"
Pearl had rushed out to the boat. Most
fortunately the bank to which she had
towed and secured it was high. Draw
ing it now much nearer the house, she
came and hurriedly prepared her mo-
ther, cooling to her all the while endear-
ing words of encouragement, never
letting her guess how her own face
grew pale and her heart stood still at
sight of the danger which gathered
faster and faster so near them. Again
she ran to the boat, and this time, with
dripping feet, moored it to the door.
/ ''Now, mamma qHiekr' Pearl
never could tell how she got her in
When it was accomplished, she
brought few of the more valuable ar
ticles in the house and placed them oe-
side her.
Before all this was done she per
ceived with increased alarm the vio-
lence with which the long-imprisoned
waters bore down upon them. They
beat angrily against the house, and re-
doubled her anxiety to get away from
| it. But at the last moment she OBJ
served how the boat rocked and tossed,
and the idea suddenly flashed upon her
that her mother would be safer if she
herself remained behind.
mamma, I'm going to stay here
while you go in the boat. When you
get below the bend they will see you
and get you. Tell papa to come for
me. Tell him took care of you; and
| don't be frightened, you dear, dear
mammal" She gave her one long en-
brace, united and threw in the rope.
and carefully stepped back to the upper
step of the door. Her mother had not
guessed her intention till the current
was carrying them far apart. She half
rose with scream of dismay.
80, Pear! my Pearl! come to me! /
shall die without you! And what will
become of youPn She caught one
glimpse of the brave little white face
smiling at her, as the child called
cheerily after her:
''Don't be frightened, darling. I'll
come to just as soon as | can. God
will take care of Aou." And then the
rushing waters ETut out every other
sound.
In her alarm and despir the
mother could have flung herself
from the boat. How tender the little
face wass and how small the childish
| figure, as it stood there for last word
of encouragement to her!
/ Pearls face grew paler as the tim
bers of the old house groaned and
creaked. Her little white kitten came
mewing piteously to her feet, and she
took it in her arms, while she hastily
took bundle of papers from her
fathers desk. Then she walked
through water ankle-deep to reach the
stairs to the half-story above, and she
climbed them wondering if the water
would come to her there before papa
came. He had gone some distance in
land, but she knew he would come for
her as soon as he could.
What wild waste of water she
looked out uponi She saw barns,
sheds, sometimes q house, sweeping
down the river. She saw their own
barn swing out into the current and
| float away. She could hear the water
rushing through The doors and windows
T lo1r.x., ! -