Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-04-06

should be a freshet. You know, the
river winds about some six or eight
miles between here and the mills,
whereas, if you take the short cut
by the High Bridge, it IS only three
miles by road to the mills.
"Yes, / know"
"Well, you are the most expert
little hOrsewoman in these parts
If you see the water coming down
in volume, Just jump on old
Gray's back and fly like the wind
for the millsl You can certainly
reach us before the freshet does,
and if you are in danger OF being
overtaken, turn to the hills. The
chances are that you will be miles
ahead of the water ifyou get good
start. Old Gray is good for twenty
five miles an hour"
"Oh, Sam ! how glad I am you
thought of it " cried Betsy. I'll do
it, and know l can save you. May
try, mamma ~
"God bless you, my child |
wouldn't be worthy of the raca of
Pennells if should say no. But
if you see the water gaining on you,
as Sam says, turn to the hlls.-
Promise me that
eyes, mother, promise"
The gray and gloomy day was
drawing to close when Sam set
out tor the mills, so as to be at his
post of duty at daylight Monday
morning; for his work necessltated
his beng on hand an hour or more
before the other employees arrived.
The rain had stopped temporarily,
bnt thick clouds still yelled the sky
and there was no sign of promise
in the west. Sam always preferred
to walk to and from the mills. He
SAID it was a kind of exercise which
he needed and which did him good.
He trudged off hurriedly through
the gathering dusk tonight, way
ing his hand to his mother and sis
ter, who stood on the steps of the
cottage. "Guess there won't be
any freshet, after all )" be cried,
"but ii there is, Bet, remember
what you promised to do"
'T'll remember ~ answered Betsy.
"Good.by."
For an hour after Sam left an
ominoGs stiffness reigned in the
air. No rain fell, and there was
not even a breath of wind. A lit.
tie before 0 O'clock Betsy went out
to feed old Gray. AS she was re-
turning from the barn she became
conscious of a dull, rumbling sound
like far.away thunder. She stood
still and listened. Gradually the
sound grew louder. Could 1t be -?
She did not stop to consider the
dreadful thought, but sprang into
the house and caught her mother
by the arm.
"Mother mother Come to the
door and listen" Two white faces
peered out into the gathering night.
Two trembling hearts beat so fast
and thick that it seemed as though
they would burst their walls of
flesh. The ominous noise had now
grown loud and clear. 1t was un-
mistakable.
"My God y exclaimed Mrs. Pen
nell. at IS the freshet, and Sam
is on the river road ~
Betsy pressed one wild, sweet kiss
on her mothers brow and without
word sprang for the barn. The
bride hung on its accustomed peg.
She loosened old Gray's halter and
with hands trembling with haste
thrust the bit into his mouth. No
time to stop for the saddle. She
leaped upon the horses bareback
and plunged out into the night.
"Good. by, mother! I'll do my
duty"
She was gone, while her clear,
brave voice still rang out on the
air.
What is that, rolling It's awful
front so swiftly down the valley
The wall of water; the terrible
freshet! 1t comes on like thun.
dercloud transferred from the sky
to the earth-like a troop of wild
horses with black names and foam
flying from their lips. It's speed il
terrific; its aspect is frightlul.-
Trees, rocks, houses, debris, and
wreck OF every kind are tossed
upon its surface like chips. There
goes the bridge above the cottage
Now the waters past, raging up the
hill almost to the old barn.
Fly, Betsy, fly The High Bridge
is a mile ahead, and the treshet is
only a mile behind
1t seems as though all the fires
OF old Gray's youth were breathing
again from his wide nostrils, as he
thundered down the road, with The
frail, girlish figure clinging tightly
to his name. Yet above the rOal
of Gray's hoOfs Betsy could heaI
the roar Of the angry water. Al
she swept over the ridge making
the bend OF the valley she saw
with CONSERVATION, that the swift
pouring food was already at thu
curve and must reach the Higl
Bridge before she did. What wa
to be done-turn back ? Never
Perhaps the bridge would bold
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