Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-05-19
IN THE FLOOD.

Though the Shenandoah is unframed
IN song or story, there are vet few rivers
IN our country more romantic and beauti
ful than this Daughter of the stars. V
as ITS Indian sponsors named it, Having
us source N the mountains enclosing
the great Virginia Valley, it comes
winding down between wooded knobs
and pretty pastural farms. till, grown
broad and strong, II rushcs into the
bosom of the Potomac at Harper's
Ferry.
Perhaps no lovclier spot could be
found upon its banks than that chosen
by my friend, DR. Wclton. and myself,
where we might indulge our passion for
angling This place was a ntting ledge
OF rock, under a huge dropping elm,
near the principal ford, where the water
was clear and deep and still.
Reclining here rod in hand somr
pleasant summer morning, we would
look up the stream and see the waters
come flowing gently down through a
dim green aisle # notified sycamores
and weeping clms. On the right hand
Were pretty little meadows rolling back
into nndulating hills. where the sheep
and cattle browsed all day long. Dotted
here and there were glimpses of snug
farm houses, with their curling smoke
and, Just beyond the bend. the brown
old mill. with its great restless wheel
| and the dam above spanning the river
like silver bar from shore to shore.
The mill had recently como into the
possession Of Mr. Moore, with whose
son Charley | became acquainted and
who frequently Joined the doctor and
myself IN our fishing excursions. harley
was about thirteen years Of age. an in
telllgent lad and pleasant companion.
| his mother was dead, but his sister
Anne kept house, and Tom, his brother.
who was two years Older than himself.
| helped his father in the mil These,
with a younger sister, little Ruth. and
himself constituted the family.
sometimes he brought little Ruth with
hlm, shy. bright eyed little maid. and
i was amusing TO sec his protecting car.
/ OF her. and his fear lest we should CON
, slder her an intrusion He would apOlo
gl7e Tor her presence by saying. She
has no one TO play with a. home, and
tegs 10 go with me everywhere. F"
ne summer passed pleasantly away.
aud the fateful twenty ninth dnv of Sep
temher dawned The weather had been
threatening from the first. and in the
afternoon the rain set in steadily. in a
way that indicated long and severe
storm When Mr Moore went home to
supper that evening. he remarked
i believe we are in for a rernlar
equinoctia rain. and there's likely TO be
high water I'll >tay IN the mill 10 keen
10 10Th Il
sleep down stairs here in my room sos
10 be near your sisters
As night came on, feeling Of an kiety
took possession Of the family. For a
time they SAT about the fire recalIInr
incidents Of the different Hoods and
freshet> they had known Of. FINALLY
the father said '.Ne1l. I'm ooinc now
II We keep on talking rhi~ way Won
chlldren VIII be scared out of veur wits.
'ood night Be sure 10 lock np the
house, and take care Of Yourselves
- saving he drew on his storm suit
and, taking ny his lantern. went ont into
the darkness and 'ain hen all had
been secured, ard The family was
separating t"r the nfghr, / tie Ruth
crept up 70 harley. and sad. coa1incly
Z harley, 1t ne sleep in your room
tonight. I'm afsa al t. say down here
ee ause the water might cone in.
ell. you little goose. come m =
said CharleS,not sorry tcr thl~eampanion.
ship through The coming night
I'll take kltty, TOO because she
doesn't Ike % get her feet v,t. said
the child, Snatoh'ng III her beloved
Kitten and preparing t. follow