Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1886-11-24
"But this house is too high up for the

water to reach it, surely, said Chatty.
Eyes, thank IIcavcn And with the
men folks all away at market too. Bat
the old bridge may go. 1t is Il rickcty
affair at the best and the railway com
pany have been warned Of il again and
again. | believe men are coming To re,
pair it next week if il holds together so
long. But sit down by the fire, Chat1y,
and try piece of my pumpkin pie. !
made six this morning for Thanksgiv-
ing"
The little girl gladly did SO, and while
enjoying her collation. became so inte-
rested in her hostess conversation that
she quite forgot her GRAND, until cheer
full chirp, chirp fell upon her ear.
"Oh, there are the crickets singing"
she exclaimed. And that reminds me l
came over on purpose, Mrs. Jellife, to
beg YOU to give me two or three of
them. They are said to be SO lucky to
have on the hearth.
"Of course | villa dozen if you
like" and the genial dame hustled about,
catching the merry little insects and pop
ping them into a box, which Chatty
tucked away in her pocket as carefully
I as though it contained gOldduSt.
Thank you so much Mrs. Jellife; but
it is getting dusk and | must start to-
wards home, as don't care to cross the
bridge again after dark.
Good bye, then, and | hope the
crickets may bring you world of good
luck"
Il wish they would bring my father
home" said Chatty; but at that instant
a crash and louder and more deafening
roar made both start and rush to the
window in alright.
"The dam must have given way ex-
| claimed Mrs. Jellife, white to the very
lips; and peering out they beheld the
| terrible force of an uncomfortable ele-
| ment.
What had gone before seemed mere
child's play, for now with the volume
| of Niagara and the din of a thousand
water fiends, the seething torrent came
foaming, dashing. leaping downwards,
carrying all before it and sending
up dense clouds of steamy spray;
while, as they watched, they saw it
strike the bridge-saw the timbers trem-
BILE and sway, and then, crushed and
swept from their moorings, go tossing
like a cookie shell out of sight.
Five minutes later, and should have
been on it." whispered Chatty, turning
pale at the thought.
Yes, it came in good time for you;
but am afraid for the evening express:
1t is due here at quarter of six and
there is no time to stop the train after 1t
rounds the curve, when the engineer can
see what has occurred
| But will no one send word to the
next station?" asked Chatty. looking up
aghast
Il can't say. IT'S lonely spot, and
| few can know what has happened, while
all the men are away at market or help
| ing in the village. Heaven have mercy
on the poor souls coming home to spend
their Thanksgiving
| 1T is dreadful! Oh, Mrs. Jellife lend
me horse, and will ride over to Grams
ton and carry the news myself"
| You, child! Are you crazy? 1t is
just three miles, and it is on the stroke
of five now
But must try, anyway; and l be-
lieve can do it, Think if you had any
friend on that train! May l have White
foot?"
"Whitefoot has gone to market, and
so have Jerry and all the rest. There is
not a horse in the stable except Wild
fire, and nobody can ride him but Dan
The men don't dare touch him."
Il am used to horses. Give me some
sugar, and l will see what can do
TT is no use; you could never saddle
the critter." But, nevertheless, Mrs.
Jellife brought out some Jumps of sugar
and followed the girl to the barn, where
in one of the stalls stood large, power
full black horse.
| He eyed them viciously, and tried to
bite Chatty when she ventured to pat
his nose; but, instead of the little hand,
his Jaws came together on sweet lump
she had deity slipped into his open
mouth, which so astonished him that he
submitted, in his amaZement, to being
led out and having the saddle placed on
| his back; but when she attempted to ad-
| lust the bride Wildtire rebelled, laid
back his ears, and was evidently pre-
pairing to kick.
you will have to hold his head, Mrs
Jellife,'' said Chatty; and in fear and
trembling that good woman took hold OF
the halter.
Soothing words and the persuasive pow
er of sugar were again brought into re-
QUESTION. and Wildfirc, who was blessed
with an uncommonly sweet tooth, be-
gan to feel more amiable as he crunched
1 the QGllclOuS mOfSeIS. until, WIFI Tue IdSI
lump, in went the curb Bit and Chatty
felt she had gained victory as she fast
ened the buckles and sprang lightly into
the saddle. In an instant Wildtire was up
right, dancing on two legs, rearing and
plunging madly, and then, with a sudden
swerve, bolted out into the fast gather
ing twilight.
"You will be killed. Come back! Oh,
come back~ walled Mrs. Jellife, franti-
cally. But Chatty hardly heard her as
she was borne swiftly down the hill, her
| whole attention being occupied with en-
deavoring to keep her scat and guide the
fiery beast in the right direction. Chatty
had good Scotch grit, however, and had
not ridden bareback for nothing. So she
now set her teeth hard, grasped the reins
| firmly, and flew over the ground like the
wind that howled above her head.
Could she reach Cranston in season?
was her one thought, for the saddling
had necessarily been work of time.
But what a ride that was! Now going
| with such Swiftness she felt that she
must be hurled into space; now founder
ing in mud-holes; now swaying back
wards while Wildfire paved the air.
Once she had to ford stream where
the water came up to the girths, and she
could only cling closely to the horses
- EZ