San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-20

her way along the iron track. lnere
was no danger of train at this hour;
but it was rather frightful to hear that
seething. boiling torrent directly beneath
her and feel the wooden structure vibrate
and culver like creature in distress. 1t
was with a sigh of relief that she touched
Mother Earth once more and fastened
up the hill to the Jellfe farm, for there
was not another person in sight, most of
the men and BOYS of the rural district
having gone to assist at the village,
where there was serious apprehension
of an overflow and much destruction of
property.
Chatty found the usually cheerful,
busy farmers wife standing idly by her
kitchen window. She welcomed her
young visitor cordially saying, Pm so
glad to see some one, for | am all alone
in the house, and that noisy water out
there makes me as nervous as cat.
Such a flood has never been known in
the fall of the year before: and Jake
Spindle the peddler, just came down
from Millville, and says they are afraid
there the dam will give way. If it does,
there is no telling where 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 go. 1t is a rickety
affair at the best, and the railway com
pany have been warned of it again and
again. believe men are coming to re-
pair it next week if it holds together so
long But sit down by the fire. Chatty
and try II 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 intc-
rested in her hostess conversation that
she quite forgot her crrand. until cheer
tul chirp. chrp fell upon her ear.
oh. there are the crickctS singing.
She exclaimed. And that reminds me
came over on purpose, Mrs .Iellifc. to
beg you 10 give me two or three of
them They are said to be 81 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 box, which Chatty
tucked away in her pocket rs carefully
as though it contained goldduSt.
Thank YOU so much, Mrs. Jcllife; but
II - -'llIIlS huSh. anu 1 IIuNl Nldll w
wards home, as | don't care to cross the
bridge again after dark.
"Gondhye. 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 tiends. 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 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 it |
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 cant say. tbs 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 | be-
lieve can do it. Think if you had any
friend on that train! May have White.
fOOt?'
'WhitcfOOt has gone to market, and
so have Jerry and all the rest. There is
not 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 | will see what can do"
1t 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
~. In, I,,t vl,,,, H.,