St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-16
UNCLE JACK.
THE ANXIOUS WATCHER-AN INCL
DENT OF THE OHIO FLOOD.

iere'' las the Ohio is often called) will re-
member the night of February IL, 1884,
when the raging waters were tossed so wildly
by the high winds and the waves washed
from their foundations so many houses and
set them adrift on the daIk, roaring flood.
Those who knew the danger at such a time
of high water, at every gust of wind offered
some exclamation of horror or pity as they
thought of the many houseless sufferers eX-
posed to the inclemency of the weather; and
especially of those who were living in the up
per rooms of their houses, hoping they might
at least have a roof left to shelter them.
These were the ones in more imminent dan
ger on this night, and to these in particular
the attention of those who could render any
assistance was turned. .,...........
There was one family who, up to this night,
had not felt they were any danger, as the
river had never been known to reach their
house by several feet; but before shutdown
the water had reached the doorstep, and was
gradually rising.
AS the wind howled around the dwelling
the children drew nearer the mother, who
had laid aside her work and, with clasped
hands, sat gazing anxiously into the fire.
The father had been called from home on
business few weeks before, and the moth
er well knew the dangers to which he would
be exposed should he endeavor to reach home
that night, as she feared he would. Jack
trusty colored man, who was expected to
stay with the family during Mr.. Thompson's
absence, had been called home on account of
the illness of his wife and son, so Mrs.
Thompson was alone with her children.
The night wore on; the clock had struck
twelve.
''What is that, Arthurf'' said Mrs Thomp
son to her eldest son, who had refused to
retire while his mother was so anxiousiy
watching. cit sounds like something hit
ting against the back door. l will go and see
what ii is"
~ believe the barn is gone, mother. I
am glad Edgar and l turned the horses and
COWS into the upper pasture, the water can
not reach them there. 1 do not know that |
should have thought of it had l not seen that
mule going down in the barn yesterday; how
/ did wsnt to save the poor animal! | tried
to persuade Uncle Jack to go out with me in
the skiff and try to get the mule; but
he said there was no use, we might get
drowned"
"You must not run any risks of that kind,
my dear child, and | am afraid if the river
keeps on rising as it has since noon, and the
wind blows at this rate, we will be washed
away ourselves before morning."
"Uncle Jack was talking to-day about
what we should do in case the water came up
to the house, and said we could make our
selves quite comfortable in the Cliff Cave
if we were obliged to leave the house,
az went up to the cave to-day and found
it dry and the old stove the men had when
they were making slaves is still there, and
with few boards thought we could make
comfortable room"
eff your father was only here I should not
mind this for ourselves, but what will become
of the people in the Bend?' said Mrs.
Thompson.
just then wave came dashing against
the house, and the, water commenced run
ming in under the door,
''Mother, think we had better commence
moving before the water comes over the
backyard"
''You can put on your fathers rubber
boots, Arthur, and let Edgar take yours. 1
will put up some provisions for you to take,
while I call Pattie and Dolly and get them
ready"
edgar can carry the lantern, and build
fire in the old stove, while come back after
the grls,' said Arthur.
eve shall have to hurry, mother, the
water is rising fast.''
''Well, the girls are ready. have dressed
them as warmly as possible, and think they
will not suffer with the cold.''
Dolly did not like to go without mamma,
and commenced crying; but Arthur soon
persuaded her to go, by promising her he
would give her a skiff ride and then come
and get mamma.
When Arthur returned he reported the
children safe, and the near way til the cave
cut off by the water SO she must not be
alarmed about him if he did not return so
soon next time.
''Well; hurry back as soon as possible; I
wish Uncle Jack was here to help US. He
did not want to go last night but knew he
was needed there; little Ben is so sick I
told Uncle Jack not to mind about US; did
not think of the water coming up so fast.
But L saw he was crying when he turned
away"
Faithfully did Arthur and his mother work
to make everything as secure as possible,
CARRYING things upstairs, and taking such
valuables as they could to the cave. Before
daybreak they had succeeded in making
themselves quite comfortable.
"Halloo-o-oF' .---
''That's Uncle Jacks CALL motherr' and
Arthur run to the point of the cliff and an
swered
Gan safe, is you?" cried Uncle Jack, as
he spied Arthur.
eyes, Uncle Jack; but we had to work for
it,"
''In be dar as soon as can climb de
cliff"
Soon Uncle Jack put in his appearance.
''I'se so glad Miss Patty, you and de chill
1un are safe. "Thank the good Lord''
''How are your folks, this morning, Jack''?
inquired Mrs. Thompson.
''Well, de Lord took little Bonnie, ies as
de sun was settin last night. Maum Su-
san is mos as good as TUX too; don't think
she'll lib troo dis day; and we had to move
sick and dead ober to Brer Simmons befoah
midnight: and dis mornin' de cabins clean
gone. Desc ar turribul times, Miss Patty.
Nebah seed anything like dis flood in all
my bohn days
tI'm sorry for you, Jack; what can I do
to help you?" ......,........
'sNotin' at all, Miss Patty, only jes you
take de bes care OBJ yourself and desc little
ones. Use so sorry 1 can't help you noah
in desc 'stressin' times But u hab to see
about gttin' Benny buried and git de doc
ali for Susan"
'Why, Jack, it would be madness for
you to try to get doctor. You can not
cross the river nor reach the doctor when
you get there.'
'eI dun forgot Miss Patty" said Jack with
a sigh. ''She'll jess hab to die widout
doctah, jes as Bonnie did. Suah as yer
alibe I never seed SIGH a time. l specs
Massa Thompson will be hum to-day. He'll
be so skeered like when he heahs how de
floods boomin.' Den he'll take care
OBJ you and de little ones "
fiDon't worry about us, Jack. Arthur
and l can get along; we have plenty to
eat and things to make Us comfortable.