Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-05

were Rlhu OF IL tnen. Inc SANDS, tnoy
had their hands full while Jim was here.
They saw this woman holding on to the
roof Of house, with her head just out of
water. They've big skiff, and they were
right out In all that wreck. and took her
out just In time. She was not able to
walk step, SO they carried her up here.
She was lying on the floor all night; we'd
put you on the bed. / reckon a dozen or
more were picked out by the Didberts and
Sands. Anyhow, there was enough wom-
en- folks to take every bit of women's
wear. The clothes were all tore off them.
Here and there one had something left.
They were all crazy-every one, except an
old man, who said he didn't know why
God spared the most useless one after
taking all his sons and daughters. He
came in and looked at you befors he went
away. They all made their way over the
hills; there's no neighbors here much.
They had to get help We couldn't give"
Rose listened to this spellbound. It
exceeded anything she had read in fc-
tion.
"Where are we now2 How far are we
from"
''From Johnstown2 Bout six miles,"
said John.
"Only six milesl" Roses heart leaped.
''Then can go back there to-day-at
once"
John shook his head. 81 don't see how.
You can't go the river road-it's flooded
way back three miles up the crik-an'
| they say the railroad bridges are washed
away above and below. You couldn't get
up to Johnstown if you crossed the river.
It's more'n nine mile across the country
to the station-the roads are awful tween
here and New Florence-it would take
you longer"
"But how am to get to Johnstown?
| My friends will be distracted. The
sooner l can let them know / am living
the better"
81 don't see no way now. You can't
walk up and down the mountains-you'd
get lost anyhow if you tried" John said.
"Well, but can't stay here. How far
is it to atelegraph station2"
| "Now you ask me what I can't tell.
know one thing, Jim Sands says there
isn't wire standing. They've tried to
get word to Philadelphia and Pittsburg
and had to give it up, The eountry's wild
back there ip Sang Hollow"
John shook his head toward the noun
tain SIDE.
Rose drank her coffee in silence and
reflected. She ate another biscuit, and
by that time she felt strong enough to
undertake anything She said as much
The woman of the house laughed at her
"Nonsensel You can't do anything for
day or two, till we get some way to
take you two to the river road. That's
all i"
But can't. must not stay here. 1
| must get to the railroad"
you can't get back to Johnstown then,
said John. You're both welcome here
for weeks"
Il shall walk to the nearest station to-
day, said Rose, resolutely.
"You can do as you please" said the
woman of the house, only you may as
well stay with us as go to another house. !"
If can reach the nearest station 1
can find some way to get word to my
| friends if can't go to them. must send
word to my friends"
She began to hope her husband was
living. It was like death to stay an hour
longer with these people, simply grand
and kindly as they had proved them
selves. John was hero in common life
his sister woman who was ready to
perform her duty at all times.
The woman who had lost her child lis
tened to this with eyes shifting from one
to the other.
I'll go, too"
WELL" said John, IF you two are 60
ing, I don't know but you ought to go
together. But I'd rather you'd wait till I
can find horse for you TO ride-you
might spell each other; it would be a
heap easier"
mo, no! We have given you sufficient
trouble-more than you can ever be re-
warded for now," said Rose. will you
give me your name, sirp want to tell
my friends who saved my life."
John Franklin, and my sisters called
Sarah. Same name - never married.
Neither of us two married"
How are you two going to travel in
them clothes?" Sarah asked.
Il don't care what wear-I want to go
where I can send word to my friends.
That is all think of now."
And want to 60 where there is news
coming. want to go where can get
down the river to look for my dead baby.
1t will be somewhere-I mast find my
poor baby. I'll nevg rest till I find it, "
said the mother, weeping afresh.
Cant you find them hats somewhere,
John? I'd give them my sunbonnet, only
| -AOW WOulu tAoy 4Ook WILL your OIu
clothes and any sort of bonnets?"
Il guess can rake up an old straw hat
somewhere, Sairy-and there's another.
"No!" said Rose, resolutely. "You
wore that in the house. It is all you
have"
"No, it isn't. I've another just as good
Il want to see the other, then"
John was long time getting the other.
When he handed it to her he looked guilty.
tinge of color rose in his wrinkled
cheeks. It was torn and battered
This will do me very we'll" said Rose,
and she refused to take the best.
BE you two going right powP wish
you wouldn't-you'll never find your
way"
"The power that has preserved our lives
will sustain us, Miss franklin" said
Rose.
Nov, tell us the nearest way to New
Florence"
John scratched his head. Il don't
know as you can do better-but it's awful
foolish--than to keep right straight over
the hills. Don't go up to the top-you'll
have to travel bout halfway up. Back q
mile you'll strike Didbert's, and neal
them is Dick Sands. Long mile or sc
straight back-is Bob Sands and Jim.
Then you'll. find plenty of farms fol
awhile, but like as not there won't be 9
horse or wagon, and the roads-nobody is
making much head-wav on them now.
,Everything's 30 torn up by this food"
Rose turned and kissed Sarah Franklin
on either cheek. Then she extended Q
| hanI - Ioh,, .