St. Landry democrat., 1884-06-21
MOONLIGHT AND FLOODS.

The floods were out at Wendelthorpe
Boats were moving hither and thithel
in the loWer-iying streets, and out il
the open country field after field was
changed to lake. From amid the
waters rose solitary farmhouse,
black against darkening sky. The
surging flow heaved and tossed and
struck heavily upon it; here was NO
Ianguidly spreading expanse, but the
hurry OF the swollen river rushing i'm
patiently forward and rising in it's ilrl-
patience higher and even 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 children,
and young man who was the eldest
daughters lover. The light was mani
testify approaching, the dark shape of
q boat became distinct, they heard the
dip and splash of the oars; at last the.
boat paused in the lee of the house, and
their rescue was secure. 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 wom-
an.
A voice called upward to those with
in: "How many are your
And voice called downward in re-
ply: Six. =
To that answer followed moment OF
silence.
Then, amid the sound of the water,
came up the words: eve have only
room for four.1
shall you be able to come back for
the others9' asked the farmer. i
Again followed 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 ofsfhe rising foods By day
break the housetop would scarcely be /!
left above water, even if Y the walls T
shold be strong enough to hold out so /
long.
Jack and will stay" said the
farmer at last. z
If Jack stays, SO will T. answered
the clear voice of his daughter.
Then man rose in the boat and
said: There is,no woman who would
say that for me, and SO let me stay
The others in the boat looked at him
as he stood leaning one hand against
the wall. He was stranger who had
reached Wendelthorpe only that after 4
noon, and had volunteered his services
at the starting of the boat. ,,
The woman sitting in the stern moved
q little and said, II will stay, too;'' /
and all eyes turned back to her. Her
they knew. She was the new mistress {
IF the village school, a grave young |
and reported eccentric. Y
There was no remonstrance from the I
boat, only slow, Illuminating surprise; t
rom above, indeed, came protests, but
aint and qickly overruled.
A window was opened In a lower c
tory; the two entered upon a landing J
hat was already flooded and went I
quickly upward. Warm, broken thanks q
net them and eager promises of return f
n the first hour of dawn. Then from +
he upper window, the two watched s
he emBarkation of the six, heard their p
bouts OF thanks and of farewell, then y
he dip of the oars. and felt at their Il
carts sudden blank. They stood ]
lde by side, watching the wavering Il
rogress of the departure and the r.
Fayering reflection OF the shaken light a
t last, when the boat was far away Ct
nd no dim echo reached them OF its Il
ounds. they turned toward each other IL
nd toward the inner room. The room W
ad in the interval, grown nearly dark, Z
nd as they turned this way they heard SC
le flap OF the water, ike step on the re
,aircase. tn
Have You any hope Of their coming ia
ack IN timer asked the woman.