Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-06-16
Moonlight and Floods.


thorde. Boats were fitting hither
and thither in the lower-lying streets,
and out in the open country field laf-
ter field was changed to lake. From
amid the waters rose a solitary farm
house, black against darkening sky,
The surging flow heaved and tossed
and struck heavily upon it; here was
no languidly spreading expanse. but
the hurry of the swollen river rushing
impatiently forward and rising in its
impatience ,highe: and ever higher.
At an upper window six persons were
gathered, watching the motions of a
light that came and went slowly, and
seemed to be drawing nearer by de-
grees. The group was made up OF
the farmer, his wife, their three chill
dren, and a young man who was the
eldest daughters lover. The ligss,
was manifestly approaching, the dark
shape of boat became distinct, they
heard the dip and splash of the oars !;
at last the boat paused in the lee Of
cure. 1t could be seen now, in the
light of the lantern, that there were
several persons in the boat, and that
one of them was a woman.
A voice called upward to those
within, 'How many are you?'
And voice called downward in
reply, ''six.'
To that answer followed moment
of silence.
Then amid the sound of the water,
came up the words s'we have only
room for FOUR
''Shall you be able to come back
for the others? ?" asked the farmer.
Again followed a pause, brief, but
sufficient to foreshadow the coming
negative.
No, hardly, it was getting too dark
and too dangerous.
Within were quick questionings
and denials, half-heard debate,
caught and lost again between the
ominous beating of the rising floods.
By daybreak the housetop would
scarcely be left above water, even if
the wall should be strong enough to
! hold out so long.
'sJack and l will stay" said the
farmer at last.
''If Jack stays SO will l." answer
ed the clear voice of the daughter.
Then man rose in the boat and
said "There is no woman who viii
| say that for me, and so let me stay
The others in the boat looked a
him as he stood leaning one hanc
against the wall. He was a stranger
who had reached Wendelthorpe only
that afternoon, and had volunteered
his services at the starting of the
| boat.
The woman sitting in the sterl
moved a little and SAID /: Il will stay
too" and all eyes turned back tC
her. Her they knew. She was th'
mistress of the village school, grav'
Young woman, and reported eccen
tric.
There was no remonstrance from
the boat, only a slow. ruminatin:
surprise; from above came protests
but faint and quickly over-ruled.
A window was opened in the lowe
story; the two entered upon q land
ING that was already flooded am
went quickly upward. Warm, bro
| ken thanks met them and eager prom
ises to return in the first hour of dawn
Then from the upper window the tw
watched the embarkation of the SIX
heard their shouts of thanks and O
farewell, then the dip of the oars
and felt at their hearts sudden blank
They stood side by side, watchin
! the wavering reflection of the shake
= | light. At last when the boat was ia
away and no dim echo reached thel
of its sound, they turned toward eac
other and toward the inner room
The room had, in the interval, grow
nearly dark, and as they turned thl
way they heard the flap of the water
like a step, on the staircase.
I "Have you any hope of their con
. ING back in timer" asked the woman
Her companion answered mo !;
and she saw through the darknes
that he shook his head.
ssNor have l." said she.
They stood aimlessly looking int
tfhe fast darkening room. They ha
mo occupation but to wait the comm
mp of the waters, and they wei
strangers who had never so much g
beheld each others face by daylight
The wind and the water went sweeI
Inc. outside, and in the house wei
ghostly sounds of doors and window
stealthily tried and shaken.
t-Had we not better go up to th
attic while we CAM" asked the ma
by and by.
She assented, and they went il
. ward to the dark core of the house
The lnky solitude below was full
creekings and rustlings; above shor
square of yellow light, revealing
steep ladder. A lighted lantern ha
:. been left for them in the attic, togetl
er with food and warm wrappings.
i 81 will fetch the lantern" said h
!, and swung himself quickly upward.
She stood below, holding fast
the side of the ladder. His quic
II