The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-11-27

ona'ty' and she now yielded, although
reluctantly.
You mus: wear MY plaid, .beu.
oalrnie. said the grandmother, and
sh' hoobled Off TO bring her tartan
scarf-a relic of her early home in the
iahd OF "hills and braes'-and wrapped
it about the bright head and slcode,
figure, crossing, and tying it carefully
behind.
nv minutes later, then, Chatty was
speeding up the country road, fairly
lying indeed, for the wind was ia he,
back and helped her on her way.
"Chatty should have been a bow
Sandy Macdonald had often said: and
fragile, ladylike Jessie frequently found
fault with her young sister for climb.
ing trees and fences, playing ball with
the country lads, and ever induPyine
in stolen rides on the bare backs of the
horses which had been turned out to
pasture by the ncighboring farmers.
She was indeed a fearless little horse
woman, and her most ardent desire
was to own a spirited animal of her
very owl.
''lf father would but come home, if
would be the best Thanksgiving we
could have; for he has been gone so
!ong-so very long!- more than
eighteen MONTHS said the girl
to herself, as she turned into
a lonely road leading to the river:
and rush of tears blinded her eyes as
she thought it might be they should
never see the gallant captain of the
Heathcr-Bell again-'But what is
that?"-A rushing, roaring sound fell
on her ears, and, wondering, Chatty
hurried forward until, on reaching the
railroad bridge that IN a secluded spot
spanned the Five Forks, a scene of
devastation suddenly burst upon her
view.
The heavy November rains-longer
and more severe than had been known
in many years-had swollen the small
river to an enormous height. 1t had
overlooked the banks and now APP
pcared a broad and really imposing
stream, that rushed turbulently along,
bearing on its heaving bosom a motley
mass of ilotsam and jetsam that it was
whirling angrily onward towards the
sea.
'Why, the water is nearly up to the
railing.' exclaimed Chatty in surprise,
as with some misgivingS she stepped
upon the weathcr-bcatcn old bridge
and picked her way along the iron
track. There was no danger of a train
at this hour; but it was rather lrightful
to hear that %seething. boiling torrent
directly beneath her and feel the
wooden structure vibratc and culver
like a creature in distress. 1t was
with n sigh of relief that she touched
Mother Earth once more and fastened
up the hill to the Jcllife farm, for there
was not another person in sight, most
of the men and boys Of the rural dis
trlct having gone to assist at the vii
where there was serious appre-
hension of an overflow and much de-
struction of property.
Chatty found the usually cheerful,
busy farmers wife standing IDLY by
her kitchen window. She welcomed
her young visitor cordially, saying:
'I'm so Glad to see some one, fer am
all alone in the house, and that noisy
water out there makes me as nervous
as a cat. Such a flood has never been
known in the fall Of the year before;
and Jake Spindle, the pcddlcr, just
down from Millville, and says
they are afraid there the dam will give
way. If it does. there is no telling
the damage will stop
'.But this house is too high up for the
water TO reach it. surely" said Chatty.
..Yes, thank Heaven! And with the
men folks all away at market, too.
But the old bridge may 90. II is a
affair at the best, and the rail
way company have been warned OF it
again and again. | believe men are
to repair it next week if it
,olds together so long. But sit down
oy the fire. Chatty, and try a piece OF
ny pumpkin pie. l made six this
morning for Thanksgiving"
The little girl gladly did so, and
while enjoying her collation. became 50
Interested in her hostess conversation
hat she quite forgot her crrand, until
cheerful chlrp. chirp fell upon her
ar.
'Oh, there are the crickcts singing
he exclaimed, '.And that reminds me,