Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-06-06
MOONLIGHT AND FLOODS.


MOONLIGHT AND FLOODS.
The floods were out at tWeudclthorpe.
Boats were moving hither and thither
in the lower-lying streets, and out in
the open country field after field was
changed to lake. From amid the
black against darkening sky. The
surging flow hcaved and tossed and
struck heavily upon it; here was no
languidly spreading expanse, but the
hurry OF the swollen river rushing i'm
patiently forward and rising in its i'm
patience higher and even higher. AT
an upper window six persons were
gathered, watching the motions Of n
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
festly 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 the house, and
their rescue was secure. 1t could be
seen now, in the light of the lantern.
that there We're several persons in the
boat, and that one of them was wom-
an.
A voice called upward to those with
in: "How many are you?"
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: 1--WE have only
room for four"
"Shall you be able to come back for
the othersp" asked the farmer.
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, q half-heard debate, caught
and lost again between the ominous
beating of the rising floods. By day
break the housetop would scarcely be
left above water, even if the walls
shold be strong enough to hold out so
long.
Jack and 1 will stay" said the
farmer at last.
IF Jack stays, so will l." answered
the clear voice of his daughter.
Then a 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
noon, and had volunteered his services
nt hn ~ hn
The woman sitting in the stern moved
n little and said, 81 will stay, too"
and all eyes turned back to her. Her
they knew. She was the new mistress
of the village school, grave young
woman, and reported eccentric.
There was no remonstrance from the
boat, only slow, Illuminating surprise
from above, indeed, came protests, but
faint and qickly overruled.
A window was opened in lower
story; the two entered upon landing
that was already flooded and went
quickly upward. Warm, broken thanks
met them and eager promises of return
in the first hour of dawn. Then from
the upper window, tho two watched
the emrarkation of the six, heard their
shouts of thanks and of farewell, then
the dip of the oars, and felt at their
hearts sudden blank. They stood
side by side, watching the wavering
progress of the departure and the
wavcring retlection of the shaken light.
AT last when the boat was far away
and no dim echo reached them of its
sounds, they turned toward each other
and toward the inner room. The room
had in the interval, grown nearly dark,
and as they turned this way they heard
the flap of the water, like step on the
staircase.
Have you any hope of their coming
back in timep' asked the woman.
Her companion answered: "No;"
and she saw through the darkness that
he shook his head.
"Nor have L." said she.
They stood aimlessly looking into the
fast darkening room. They had no
occupation but to await the coming up
of the water, and they were strangers
who had never SO much as beheld each
others face by full daylight. The wind
and the water went sweeping by outside,
and in the house were ghostly sounds of
doors and windows stealthily tried and
shaken.
"Had we not better go up to the at
tic while we camp" asked the man, by
and by.
She assented, and they went inward
to the dark core of the house. The inky
solitude below was full of creakings
and drustlingsi above shone square Of
yellow light revealing steep ladder.
A lighted lantern had been left for them
in the attic. together with food and
warm wrappings.
II will fetch the lantern" said he.
and swung himself quickly upward.
She stood below, holding fast to the
side of the ladder. His quick step
sounded above her head, the light shift
ed and frightened, she saw his face in
quick illumination then the light
whirled toward and beyond her down.
down into the darkness and flashed
upon the stairs. Her breath stood still;
she had sickening feeling of being
left alone. Assurance of her compan,
ions safety reached her. however, in
the form of an imprecation, checked,
indeed, but hearty, uttered about two
feet above her.
..Ihe handle of the lantern was loose, "
said he, as he came to her level. "I'll
go down and fetch it up"
mo, don't! it is too dark. Please
don't! let us go up."
She had found his arm In the dark.
ness and held him back. In the dark
ness, which was much the blacker for
that brief interposition of light, they
made their way into the attic, and