Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-11-08

seeing it's beautiful luxuIiance, 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 man,
ma lOosened the soft braids and held up
the wavy 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 when
| was mile away"
Then you must hang out your flag
whenever you want him to find you. l
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 looked 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 the
river was broadening and swelling.
The was no sudden rush or roar, as
would have been the case with a mar
rover stream. or one with high banks
but there was still something mysterious
and terrible in the low, half-hisslng,
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 frighten-
ed. You must get to the bOat-you can,
know. when l most carry you"
But the poor woman cried and trem-
bled.
sO u,bv d,d tbov Iaa1a ue0 Tho Iavaa
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.
Drawing it now much nearer the house,
she came and hurriedly prepared her
mother, cooling to her all the while en-
dearing 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 fast
Ell and faster so near them. Again she
ran to the boat, and this time, with
dripping feet, moored it to the door.
Now, mamma-quickw Pearl never
could tell how she got her in. When it
was accomplished, she brought few of
the more valuable articles in the house
and placed them before her.
Before all this was done she perceived
with increased alarm the violence with
which the long-imprisoned waters bore
down upon them. They beat angrily
against the house, and redoubled her
anxiety to get away from it. But at the
last moment she observed how the boat
rocked and tossed, and the idea sudden
HnC hnr hnf hnr onfh ha-
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 l
took care of you; and don't be frighten-
ed, you dear, dear mammal She gave
her one long embrace, united and threw
in the rope, and carefully stepped back
to the upper step of the door. Her moth
er had not guessed her intention till the
curreDtpwas carrying them far apart.
She half rose with scream of dismay.
20, Pearl my PEARL come to mel /
shall die without you! And what will
become of you?" She caught one glimpse
of the brave little whits face smiling at
her, as the child called cheerily after
her.
Don't be frightened, darling. I'll
come to you just as soon as can. God
will take care of you" And then the
rushing waters shut out every other
sound.
In her alarm and despair the mother
could have flung herself from the boat.
How tender the little face was, and how
oil hn al, oh ir cfn
there for last word of encouragement
to herl
Pearls face grew paler as the timbers
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 bun
die 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 inland, but she knew he would
come for her as soon as be could.
What wild waste of water she look
ed out upon! She saw barns, sheds.
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 below, and won
dered how soon the house would break
away and follow those she had seen
going down the stream.
Il must hang out my golden flag, so
papa will see me-" Pearl unbraided her
bright hair and looked wistfully out.
In hn of
and night came with its gloom and its |
chill. Poor little Pearls courage almost |
failed in the darkness. She sObbed pit |
fully for papa-everything seemed SO |
much more terrible than when it was
ight-then knelt down and said her
prayers, asking first that mamma might |
be cared for, then herself, and feeling |
comforted in the full faith that God |
would remember them both, resolutely |
set herself TO keep awake until papa |
should come.
But her head dropped on the window
sill and she soon slept quietly. The
winged messengers who wait on the
prayers of child surely guarded her
rest with gentlest care, for when at last
,he strained timbers gave way and the
Did house bade adieu to the foundations
)n which it had stood for many a long
year, she never knew it, but slept on.
81 saw your shining flag, Pearl, my
blessing"
Pearl opened her sleepy eyes to see the
Early morning sun beaWing upon her.
All the trees on the bank were running
past her in Il most confusing manner.
Papa was lifting her from the window
nto a boat held by two other men close
20 the house, which still rocked and
leaved as it settled deeper and deeper
ntO the water
Papa, where is mamma?"
safe, dear. Some steamboat men
brought her in shore. and | found her
ate last night.
"Oh-h-h! Well, then. papa, papa, get !