The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-06-06

1 NIuu lS TISlllSJ dilu ~ 10 SClliiS iil AOA q
| cold, raw storm"
The rain came faster and
faster, and by the time they
had regained the shelter of the
mill they were thoroughly wet through.
A fire was soon kindled in the little
cracked stove used by the shingle-mak-
ers the winter before, and the time in
waiting forTom' s return was employed
in dryingtheir clothes.
| An hour passed away. The storm
grew more and more furious. The
rain poured down in torrents, and the
great tops of the pine trees bent and
writhed in the terrible gusts. The
river, always rapid and strong, was
now a. fierce, turbulent stream, whose
middle current nothing could cross in
safety.
At last Tom burst into the mill.
"It's no use," heexclaimed. We've
got to stay here or swim home. /
went clear to the main road, more
than five miles from here, and found
that the horses have turned the wrong
way, instead of going home. If they had
gone straight back, the men would
have known that something had hap
pened and come for us: but there's no
chance for that now"
At this Harry and Jack began to
cry, and even Mrs. Allen looked dis
mayed.
"Staying here, tonight, is out of the
question:" said Mr.. Allen Eve
haven't a morsel to eat, and every
hour We stay makes it worse. We're
in for long storm, and the road half
the way from here to the turnpike will
be under water within twelve hours"
What shall we do them" asked
Tom, who was holding his dripping
coat before the blaze.
eff it were fair weather | should
know what to do quick enough; and
don't know but we shall be obliged to
come to it any way"
"Why, what do you mean, father ~
asked Mrs Allen, anxiously.
He pointed to the river.
Il should take the shingle-raft lying
there by the landing. 1t is staunch
and strong, and Just as safe as any
boat that ever fioated on the st. John
river"
Mrs. Allen had woman's dread of
the water and her heart sank at once.
But the idea Of being compelled to re-
main for two or three days in that
desolate spot, without food or a chance
to sleep, was nlore dreadful yet, and
shefelt almost like urging her husband
to carry out the desperate idea he had
announced.
We've got to decide upon some
thing very quick" continued the far
mer 9TH be dark in an hour, and
then we shall have no choice"
He went to the window and looked
out for a moment at the river. Then
he came back to the stove.
at storms fearfully; but then we're
pretty nigh as wet as can be now. |
believe We can keep in shore without
much trouble, and at the rate the
stream is running now, we should
reach Woodstock in less than an hour.
I've done it worse weather than this"
II shouldn't be afraid myself" said
Tom, "but then there's mother and
the children to think Of"
"Im not afraid, Tom,' said Mrs.
Allen and even if | were, believe
it is the only thing we can do"
well try it then" said Mr.. Allen,
decidedly. Come, Tom, we've no
time to lose. See If there is rope
enough in the corner there for a coil
to throw ashore when we get to the
landing at Woodstock, and put the
paddles aboard. Let me take the
baby, mother. Now, boys, Jump on.
There's room enough for a regiment.
You'll have tomake up your minds to
stand a good deal OF water the next
half hour. Push her off,
The raft swung slowly round from
its fastenings, and in another minute
struck the shore current, which,
though less swift than the middle OF
the river, was yet so strong as to
make safe navigation a difficult task.
The rain came with such binding
force that it was almost impossible to
see the shore, and the increasing dusk
threatened to grow into total dark
ness before the end OF their perilous
Journey was reached.
1t was barely three-quarters OF an
hour from the time they left their start
ing point when the raft touched the
landingplace, at Woodstock, and Tom,
rope in hand, jumped on shore, to
throw the loop over the post which
had always stood there.
To his dismay, the post was gone,
and as the raft swept along he felt the
rope slip through his fingers, in spite of
his endeavors to hold it. There was
another point, lower down, where the
raft might strike if his father could
keep 1t out OF the current by his single
arm. Beyond that, the river made a
sudden bend, and if the landing should
be missed there, no power could stop
them from gong down the river.
He hurried to the nearest houses OF
the village and gave the alarm, and
then flew down the street, which
ran parallel with the river, to the
lower landing. He was just in time
to see his father spring from the raft,
holding the rope, and rushing in
the water up to his waist, caught
hold OF 1t to assist. Their united
strength bade fair to bring the raft in
to the eddy, and the shouts of the
rapidly advancing men, who had been
reused by Toms brief warning, gave
them additional energy. Two min
utes later half dozen strong arms
were aiding them, and the raft was
slowly drawing to the shore when the
rope parted.
With a wild scream, the mother rose.
with her babe in her arms, as if to
plunge into the river. Then seeming
to remember the children who chung to
her garments, she sank down again,
and thenext moment the fierce current
had swept them away in the darkness.
There was but one hope more. II
the ferry, five miles lower down could
be reached in time, they might be
saved; and the almost distracted
father and son, mounted on horses
provided by sympathizing friends,
galloped there. Too late! The ferry
keeper had seen some dark object rush
by IN the darkness, and heard cries for
help which he was unable to give.
They were in the hands OF God, and
He only could help them.
All that night Farmer Allen paced
the floor OF his desolate home. The
friends who came to comfort him