The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-09-28

Better for him, thought, "the quiet
life he would have led with me--botteI
even from a worldly point of view. " And
still believed what he had sought tc
prove--that he had only been free and
foolish, not criminal
And again time passed on without any
new events of importance coming into
my life, and expected to live and die
in Johnstown school teaching spinstei
--Johnstown, of which the rest of the
world knew nothing to speak Of
You all know how sadly it became
famous one wild day. / shall never for
get that day for many reasons.
l had just given my scholars their
summer holiday and had mytime to my.
self, and had been all through the rain
to see a poor, sick woman who was quite
destitute. The good widow with whom ]
lived was away; she had gone to another
state to visit married daughter, and the
house was lonely. 1 had heard that DIR.
Rue was in the place-that he had come
down to see about some lots of ground,
almost worthless when he bought them,
but lately become valuable-and at every
step 1 half feared, half hoped to meet
him. The idleness of my holiday left me
time to think of myself, and was very
sorrowful.
AS l passed the church door it stood
open, and an impulse led me to enter.
An old woman was busting the cush-
ions, polishing the pew doors, and set
ting books in order in the racks, and
went forward to the front of the church
and sat down before painted window |
loved to look at. Jesus the Shepherd,
with the lamb in Ills arms, smiled on me
as though between earth and heaven.
began to feel strange peace steal
over me-a promise of happiness. My
heart went forth to my old love, and for
all the pain he had given me l forgave
him. 1 hoped that he was leading a
better life and thinking better thoughts.
remember saying to myself that so !
should like to feel on the day of death
loving all men and having no fear what
ever of the mysteries beyond this life,
whatever they might prove to be.
think that had fallen asleep listen
ing to the wind and the beat of the rain
upon the roof, when suddenly was
aroused by screams and cries. People
came rushing into the church, crying out
in terror, The water was already max
ing pond of the place, and those who
sought safety had climbed tothe pulpit OF
rushed up to the gallery.
As stood dazed and trembling an arm
seized me about the waist. "The dam is
DOWN. shouted voice in my ear. I was
hurried away up beyond the gallery into
the bell tower. The crowd followed lie
and now we saw the water coming down
toward us like great black wall. Such
sight was never seen!
turned to look into the face of the
man who had helped me to the loft. ]
had no doubt as to who he was even be-
fore looked, but when 1 saw Benjamin
Rue / felt happy and had no fear. Death
was before me; but he had sought me,
hoping to save me, and in his arms ]
should die.
':God have mercy on our soulsr' said l.
He answered.:
"Amenm
He helped me to little wooden hood
above the belfry, and there we clung
together, 1t was the highest point VIC
could reach. The waters were at hand
"Forgive me-" he said in my ear
"Forgive me, Agnes; have repented
heaven lnows-and I never was as
wicked as they made me out. flirted
with Mrs. Norland. admired her, but
I did not wrong her husband; he lied
when he swore that he believed it. He
wanted to marry another woman.
have loved you all along; came back to
tell you SO and win you again if could.
| am a better man"
All could do was to answer him with
a kiss, for at that moment the black wa
ter struck the church.
Then l was floating, hoating-beaten
this way and then that; but his arms
were always about me. Some broken
plank gave us support. never moved,
but l prayed without ceasing; prayed
to be saved with him or to die with him,
as was Gods will.
ALL others prayed-prayed earnestly
as I--better people-and yet were drown
ed Let no vainglorious fancy that my
prayer was better than theirs seem to
dwell in my heart, for indeed it is moi
there; but l am humbly thankful that
God saw fit to let me live little longer.
and that at last, cast upon dry land, we
knew that days were given us in which
to live together.
1t was sad and terrible indeed to stand
hand in hand and look upon what SEEM
ed almost the destruction of the world.
We shall never forget it or be as glad as
if we had not seen it, but we were the
world to each other after all.
l am Ben's wife today, and believe
him to be good man. AS for me, may
know my own faults too well to be Sc
we're on any of his l may discover Mary