The Penn's Grove record., 1888-09-08
THE FLOODS WORK.

Goats we're moving hither and thither
in the lower-lying streets, and out In
the open country, field after field was
changed to 4 lake. From amid the
waters rose a solitary farmhouse,
black against a d%arkening sky. The
surging flow heaved and tossed Inc
struck heavily upon 1t; here was no
languidly spreading expansc, but the
hurry OF the swollen river rushing
impatiently forward and rising III its
Impatience higher and ever higher. AT
an upper window six persons were
gathered, watching the motions OF a
light that came and went slowly, and
seemed to be drawing are by de-
grees. The group was made up OF the
farmer, his wife, three children, and a
young man who was the eldest daugh-
ter's lover. The light vas manifestly
approaching, the dark shape of a boat
became distinct, they heard the dip
and splash of the oars; at last the BOAT
paused In the lee of the house, and
their rescue was secure 1t could be
seen now, in the light of the lantern,
that there were several persons In the
boat, and one OF them was a woman.
A voice called upward to those within:
Glow many are your"
And a voice called down in reply:
"Six."
To that answer followed a moment
Of silence. Then, amid the sound of
the water came up the words:
1--WE have only room for four"
"Shall you be able to come back for
the others?" asked the farmer.
Again followed a pause, briefly, but
sufficient TO ~foreshadow the coming
negative.
mo, hardly; it is getting too dark
and too dangerous
Within were quick ~questionings and
denials, a half heard debate. caught
and lost again between the Omlnous
beating of tie rising floods. BY day
break the housetop would scarcely be
left above water, even IL the walls
should be strong enough to hold out
SO long.
"Jack and I will stay" said the far
mer at last.
If Jack stays" SO will Unanswered
the clear voice of his daughter.
Then a man rose in the boat and
said:
TT ere is no woman who would say
that for me, so let me stay"
The others in the boat looked at him
as he stood leaning n hand against
the wall. He was a stranger who had
reached Wendeithorpe that afternoon,
| md had volunteered his services at the
'tarting of the boat. The woman
sitting in the stern moved a little and
said:
81 will stay, too"
All eyes turned back to her. Her
they knew. She was the new mistress
of the village school, a grave young
woman, and reported eccentric.
There was no remOnstrance from the
boat; only a slow, Illuminating surprise;
from above, indeed, came protests, but
faint and quickly overruled.
A window was opened in a lower
story; the two entered upon a landing
that was already flooded and went
quickly upward. Warm, broken thanks
met them, and eager promises OF re-
turn in the first hour of dawn. They
stood side by side, watching the pro
gress of the departing six, and the
wavering reflection of the shaken light.
The room had, In the interval, grown
nearly dark.
"Have you any hope of their coming
back In tlme?" asked the woman
mol; her companion answered.
"Nor have l." said she.
They stood aimlessly looking into the
fast darkeniDg room. The wind and
the water went sweeping by outside,
and in the house were gRostly sounds
of doors and windows stealtnily tried
and shaken.
Had we not better go up to the
attic while We CAM" asked the man
by.arG-by.
Shs ~assented, and they went inward
to the dark core OF the house, The
inky solitude below was full of creak-
ings and rustlings; above shone a square
of yellow light, revealing a steep ladder.
A lighted lantern had been left fol
them in the attic, together with food
and warm ~wrappiugs.
AZ will fetch the lantern" said he
and swung himself quickly upward.
She stood below. holding fast to tn,
side OF the ladder. His quick steI
sounded above her head; the light
shifted and frightened, she saw hi;
face in a quick illumination; then the
light whlrled toward and beyond her
down into the darkness aud flashed
upon the stars. Her breath stood
still; she had a sickening feeling OF
being left alone. Assurance of hel
companions safety reached her. how.
ever, IN the form of an i~mprecation,
checked, indeed, Tut hearty, uttere'
about two feet above her head.
"Fha handle of the lantern wa
loose" as he came to her level. "ll
90 down and fetch it up"
mo, don't! It is too dark Please
dnn'tl Let US 20 uD-"