Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-11-26
CHAPTER xxV.-cosrrSuEp.
Or. JUST A CAMPIN'.
BY c. g. POST.

observed Inat the water had cut bits OF
guileys between the potato rows, and
that the stubble field below had the ap-
pearance of having become lake. The
rain. too, instead of decreasing as the
night set In, was. if possible. falling
faster than ever: and she could hear
faint roar coming up from the ravine,
and knew that soon the water would be
rushing through it in great volume, and
with force that would oyerwhelm any
living thing caught in its path; and
a halt dozen such ravines crossed the
road over which her husband must pass
In coming from Phippsburg.
She shuddered as she listened, and
turning away. went and sat down by
Jonnny's crib and tried to interest him
by reading little story from child's
paper. But the boy was too sick to
care for hearing her read: he wanted
his father, and kept asking when he
would come. TO which she could only
reply that they might look for him any
moment now. but that the rain might
make him late. and they must be pa
tient
And so the hours wore on and the
rain continued to fall, while every mo-
heavier and more oppressive. Johnny
slept titfully, waking every few mo-
ments and always asking If father had
not come yet" or if his mother
Thought father would come home
pretty soon now, until the sudden clap
of thunder came. at which he was
seized with an awful fright and scream
ed again and again with all the force of
his weak lungs. Even his mother was
startled into an involuntary exclama-
ton by the suddenness of the concus-
sion. and for an instant she thought the
cottage had been caught in land slide.
She controlled herself at the sound of
the child's cry. and bending down,
lifted him tenderly in her arms. cud-
ding his poor wasted form to her breast
rs if he had been but babe. 1t was
only with difficulty that she checked
his screams, and even then he was so
fearful and nervous, and sobbed and
begged so piteously for his father, that
it was only by calling TO her aid all the
fortitude which she possessed, that
Martha Parsons was herself enabled to
keep from breaking down.
1t was an hour before Johnny was
sufficiently calm to be again laid in his
crib. AS soon as she could leave his
side for moment she went to the
window and tried to peer out into the
darkness. She had placed one of the
lamps in the window some hours be-
fore. hoping that it might prove a bea-
con to guide her hus band if he was still
living, which she was q most ready to
doubt, SO utterly desolate all things
seemed.
Pressing her face close to the glass
she endeavored to penetrate the awful
gloom; hut could only see for few
feet into the darkness. TIE rays of
light from the lamps had power TO pene-
trate no farther. 1t seemed to her, as
she stood there, strainiug her eyes in a
vain effort 10 SEE. that the darkness was
living thing. and that it devoured the
rays of light bodily. or contended with
them and slew them a. they strove to
make Roadway against the night
When the lamp burned low for an in
slant, and the light sent out through
the window was less strong, she was
almost sure she saw the darkness put
out its hands and grasp the rays of light
and strangle them.
Mingled with the steady swish of the
falling IA II. the roar OF the water rush
ing through the ravine now came clear
and distinct, and knowing it was all
ones life was worth to attempt to cross
it, she gave up all hope of seeing her
husband that night, if ever again, and
only PRAYED that he might be in place
of safety. and out of the reach of the
elements that appeared as if about to
swallow up the mountain.
1t was a little past midnight, and
JOHNNY had again dropped off into a
light sleep. when from the direction of
the gate opening into the Enclosure came
the sound of a horse neighing. The
watcher within listened ntently, and
with new hope springing up in her
breast. Was it possible. alter all, that
John had returned; that he had passed
safely through the darNneSs and the
floods and reached home at last? Yes,
there was the sound of the horse walk
ing past the window at the upper end
of the house. where Mr. Parsons was in
the habit OF riding through to the
stable.
Poor dear, what an awful time he
must have had coming through the
Storm she said, softly. as she rose
hurriedly and went to light the lantern.
Opening the kitchen door she held the
lantern in a way which she hoped
would afford her husband some as
sistance in putting out his animal; if
not, would at least help him in getting
to the house. She heard the whinny
with which the horse in the stable well
coined his returned mate, ami expected
every moment to hear the stable door
open and close, and the footsteps of
her husband as he made his way
towards her.
After waiting several moments and
hearing nothing further she began to
be frightened and finally called softly:
John! john"
Getting no reply. she caught up an
old garment of some kind. threw ii
about her shoulders. aud holding the
lantern above her head made ner way
through the rain to the stable. The
horse which her husband had ridden
stood at the door waiting to be let in,
but she could see nothing of his rider.
She listened a moment and then again
called-low at first and then with all
her might
John! Ooh joint
The weary, drenched and mud be-
spattered horse lifted his head and gave
low whinny. but no answer came to
her call:
s'Johni O-o-oh Johnr'
She listened; but only the swish of
the rain, falling in literal sheets, and
the dull roar of the swollen waters in
And now she noticed that the horse S
bridle-rein was dragging Had he
thrown his master, or had John dis
mounted in order to better keep the
road, and by some means permitted the