The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-09-19

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Suddenly she seemed to hear voice
saying,
al am here and will take care of my
little Nellie"
And she remembered how she had told
Dot of the dear Jesus, who came to his
frightened companions when they trem-
bed before the fury of the storm. He
would hear her also, if she called him.
And kneeling down she prayed him to be
with her in her loneliness. Then lying
down with Dots hand clasped in hers, she
fell into the trusting sleep of childhood.
Hours after, it might have been, she was
awakened by dull, heavy sound against
the door, and springing up to open it,
Nellie cried
ooh mamma, am so glad you have
come, it has been SO long without you"
But what was it that came rushing in
at the opon door, defying the child's little
strength Swirling, whirling, in came
the raging yellow water, instead of the
expected loving mother.
Nellie's feet and ankles were covered,
but with God-given tboughtfulness she
shut the door instantly and turned to the
room again, where lay her still sleeping
sister. She went to the window and
looked out; the rain had ceased, the
moon was full, and up and down, far as
she could see, only water, yellow water
everywhere rising, steadily rising. 1t was
almost up to the window frame now, and
it was only question how long the frail
wooden door and window could bear the
stream before the house would be flooded
and they swept away.
"What must she do What could she
do p she almost screamed with terror,
but the thought of Dot sealed her white
lips; above all she must not brighten the
baby; these few hours of terrible respon-
sibility were fast making woman of her.
Suddenly she thought Of the stairs, and
gathering the sleeping child in her arms
she went softly up the steps. Dot did
not waken, only chung to her, and MUIR
INJURED, Mamma, mamma" She laid the
baby on the bed, and kept the awful vigil
| alone.
"Oh for one kiss from mamma be-
fore the terrible waters swallowed her
up;" the hot tears flowed silently as she
prayed as she had never prayed before.
So the long night wore away, the can
die flickered and flared, and then died
down in its socket. Suddenly there came
heavy sound from below, which Nellie
knew in moment must be the breaking
up of the furniture.
Dot was wide awake now, and she said,
plaintively;
"Will mamma come for us, sister ?"
What pang those words sent to Nell
lies heart, as she asked the question to
herself inwardly. But steadiastly she
replied:
"If mamma don't, darling, Jesus will"
"Then," said the child, dreamily, L"
wish he would come quick and she
dropped aiseep again.
Swish, swash, came the water upstairs,
slowly, surely, steadily upward. Nellie
held Dot closely in her arms hoping she
would wake no more.
But she did, and this time it was with
a loud cry
81 want mamma, o where's my
mamma 2"
1t was more than Nellie could stand
she sobbed aloud and shook with nervous
terror. Dot screamed louder still with
fright. Then Nellie, with a silent prayer
for help, controlled herself with mighty
effort, and said:
"Dont cry, baby, and sister will sing
to YOU"
Tremblingly she began:
Safe In the arms of Jesus
safe on his gentle breast.
The words Gained her, and she felt as
though she was indeed resting on his
tender bosom, while nearer the waters
rolled.
With the first CLEAN of morning boat
with Two oarsmen might have been seer
rowing up and down the river, searching
for the sufferers of that awful night.
"That's deserted house, no use goine
there" said the elder of the two, II
rocks so now, in five minutes it will be
down."
"Hush listen," cried the Younger
resting on his oars, as a childish voice
clear and distinct, rang out across tn,
waters.
Nellie sang on till the end of the verse
There shall my soul find rest.
"Father in heaven" said the man, rev
erently, " there's child in there" and ht
thought OF his own babies asleep in theil
cribs at home.
A few steady strokes brought the boa
with It's eager rowers to the little window
sill, and he called loudly
"Who's there p
Nellie rushed to the window, now al
most faint with despair.
} "Come, my little maid" said the boat
man, no time to talk" and he reached
out his arms for her.
But she drew back.
No, Dot first" and catching up tn,
little one, she hastily wrapped her in
quilt, and relinquished her charge to the
strong arms that waited without. Tn,
sight OF the two, the motherly air of tn,
elder, scarce more than baby herself
and the tangled curls and tear-stainee