Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-01-26

"'ln''ou' uu'H We were brought to n
sudden realization # it b. strange
reverse OF fortune, in whi2h INV father
lost not onl" the mill but our home and
most Il his other property. and We
moved far away and began life again
amid 0cw scenes.
The night [ am about TO tell you of
commenced ut the close of q most beau
tiiul day. which gave NJ signs OF tho
fearful s!urn. that was impending
until q seven o'clock Il tremendous
bank CT Hack clouds had risen up and
spread thCm@giy"S q! hWart the heavens.
Father remarked to mother that
there VAS Il big tiundtr storm coming,
at which We children Ii ddled together
on large, oid-lashioned sofa, as Vas
our custom during a storm. Scar, ely
had father sccGr, 4 the doors and WIN
dowS and returned to or little sitting
room, WHOM fash after flash ILLUMINATE
Cd the 't2rlNiCS&, s,;!,l the thunder, aft =
growing hoaracly =. the distan e, was
echoed back by the m3ELtl MS. revor-
bcraiing from one end Of the valley t,
the othor. Soon tie WIND Increased in
violence C0til it Was ilowing perfect
gal, whiir the crashes Of thunder
skool: the Eousc to It's yt:y foundation
and tho gain descended III all its pcnt
up fury.
One, two, three hours passed. AM
stll the rai: came down i'll torrents
and the most vivid lightning continued
to burst from the clouds, followed hy
appalling crashes of thunder.
Our nearest ncjghbor was over &
milo away. Perhaps father thought OF
this, rs he paced tho floor neryously,
and talked with mothcr il tones no:
intended for our cars. ! noticed that
his face was pale. and lie looked anx,
ious. going to the window every once
in II while, lifting the curtains, nud
gazing out into the inky blackIcss o.
the &iSht. Once, when Ac went tc
the window. slipped from my place
on the sofa and, following him, stood
for an instant by his side. SGddcnl%
a CLEAN If lightning caused INC 10 cry
ont, disclosing ut the same time an cy-
trlordiuary sight to NJ eag7r eyes.
The Whole valley was q rushing river
with our house in its midst, ard IN t,.ly
one glance ] had seen NV f.ti.ar'a b,:,,t.s
90 sailing Ivy In its strong current. Ill
lowed by mnumcrablc other obic,.a.
instantly shut from my si.l.a ~ ,''u
darkness, which again covered tho
Cnr.h. aud above the terrible llprcar #
the storm 'amc tho Eunlist;J.abie
sIuealiug OF tue pigs aud the friGh;r,,d
ci3"k Of the chickens, as thy Ncrs
swept hclplcssly pat the house
fathers arm was around lae, and be
led me back TO my place on the sol.
beside nv two sisters. As he dill - =
little stream of water came from ardc.,
The door and crept slowly bat s,lrelv
Gcross the room, increasing rapidly.
until the tloor was almost covered with
WAGER.
Something must be done, and done
quickly, and father realized il. Lila"
he sud, addressing mother, this time
speaking out loud; Lila, there il bit
one thing to do; l must carry you, one
at time, to the big double oak tree
nearest the door; it is our only chance
for safety, for if the water continues to
rise, in another half hor :lo house
will surely follow the out-buildings,
which have air, ady gone"
Mother clasp2d my baby brother
closer in her arms and stood reldy to
do whatever father thought best.
1--WE will wait five minutes longer"