Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-12
Hour.
A Thrilling Story Of the Johns.
town Disaster.
. BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XI.
MOTHER AND WIFE.

The woman who lost her babe was very
quiet. Rose Somers talked to cheer her.
When they were out of sight of the log
cabin that had sheltered them, the mother
suddenly said, looking straight at her
companion, pausing as she spoke:
DO you think it possible my baby can
be alive? All at once it came to me,
such a thing might be. Could it?"
Distressed, suffering as Rose Somers
was in body and mind, this question ap-
pealed to her SO strongly that she forgot
her own sorrow for the time.
Certainly I do" she said, decisively.
"If God saved you and me, why could
he not save your child? Such a thing
can be. Tell me where it was last seen. >
Il did not see it at ALL / left my baby
sleeping in its cradle. nursed it, and
laid it down. was going to speak to its
grandfather-my husband is dead-its
grandfather lived with me. heard him
shouting-I ran to the door, and"
You saw what / beheld; / thought it
was judgment day.
"The steelworks' whistle began to
blow. knew the flood was coming, but
before could cross the room, the water
filled the house. My baby was drowned
in its cradle"
AOu arc Apb DuIOs ~ hAuJ W uAANVs
Its grandpap-my father-tried to
catch me. He had my arm one time, then
we were torn apart. I never saw him
again. held on to fence, then to a
boat, and next / caught roof, and was
borne away till they found me, and took
me out of the water. Do you think there
is chance?"
Il do. One never knows"
The mother now looked more natural.
The color returned to her face, and Rose
suddenly took great liking to this poor
mother.
The way was rough and stormy. They
were glad when they came to Didbert' S,
they walked on to Sands, and we're urged
to remain there; still they plodded wearily
on after drinking glass Of pure milk
The woman at Sands, pressed some
bread into their hands. The survivors
walked on over the mountains toward the
railway. Although they were ready tc
sink down on the mountain-side from
sheer fatigue, they pressed on.
1t was we'll on toward evening when
they beheld railway track far below
them. 1t was dark by the time they
reached the place they looked on two
hours before.
They we're compelled to turn back I
score of times. The streams impedet
them. Every rivulet was torrent. Grea
gUlches were worn away. Paths wert
obliterated. The cattle seemed dazed b,
the changes made.
When at last, almost faint, they arrived
at the railway track, there was no sign o.
human being.
Night coming on. and the only hous,
near them at least half mile back, OF
the mountain.
Il never can walk up there tonight,
said the mother wearily.
-Nor IT, said Rose Somers, "But W
can't stay here. We must move on"
They walked on the track in the dark
ness, miles, they thought. They reste'
every few minutes. now. Both were ex
hausted.
"Let us lie down. can't go any fur
ther," said the mother.
@Hark!" said Rose. did you hear
sound?"
Il think I did"
@There, there, hear it plainly. It is
locomotive whistle-but it may be mile
away"
The sound of footsteps approached
Then gruff voice issued from the dark
ness:
who's there?"
at is only us, Rose said, courageously
Who is us ?"
aTwo poor creatures trying to find
way to reach our friends.
20, escaped the food!"
The man struck light and peered int
their faces. As he did SO he uttered q
exclamation.
More women in mems clothesl That
five to-day. You can't go up to Johns
Atown. It'll be weeks before anythin
travels up through that hole. Washe
.out-plugged up-it's impossible"
@Can we find house anywhere ne,
here till train goes down to-to-an,
'where?"
"Humph! live handy. AS for goir
down you'll not find any train here in
week.
aWhat will we do2" said the mother.
rWill you let us stop in your house ii
Il can't promise you beds-the houl
is full-women folks, too. You are we
come, but I'm sorry for the accommod
tionsn
aThere is a locomotive near"
You heard the whistle. That's n
more than two miles of. It's just S
around the bend.
eve will be glad to lie on your fooI
. said Rose.
They followed the owner at the rout
voice to his house. where they found ha