New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-08-06
there great seams appeared, and . warn.

800 9 SSAu q " 81
ing roar sounded through the valley
Some Of the older boys who had ex-
plored the stream higher up sagely.
predicted that there would be trouble
before night, but this brought to Joels
mind little fear. He thought the.
stream might rise and carry away the
ice. but that would be all. He knew
nothing about the fearful gorges that
sometimes damned the river and flood
ed the entire country for miles around.
At noon the report came that a gorge
was forming short distance above the
school house. There never before had
been such a pile Of ice crowded into
that part Of the river, and water was
beginning to flow over the valley. "a
heavy rain set in, falling for hours in
torrents. Still Joel had no idea what
danger was impending. This was his
first experience with the river, and,
when some of his pupils begged to go
wait until the storm was less terrible
or their parents came for them. This
latter thing happened sooner than he
had thought likely, and some of the
sturdy yeomen;came for their little ones
quite while before the usual time for
their dismissal and grayely advised
Joel to close for the day, as they feared
trouble from the gorge up the river.
At length the young man, impressed
more by the anxious faces Of the child
rem than by any thought of real dan Ger,
told them to go, and proceeded to help
them get started for home.
Night was dropping down over the.
valley. The storm king was abroad
IN all his fury. The night gave
promise of being terrible one.
Joel's heart reproved him for not let
ting the children 90 sooner when he
opened the door and heard the sullen
roar which came from the gorge.
He listened sharply.
Yonder came man on horseback.
riding rapidly.
What was the matter?
The rush Of waters smote his ear.
The truth flashed over him.
The ice gorge had given away.
The young mans face grew pale as
he drew the children, back into the
house and shut the door. He could not
let them go now. It was too late.
A few minutes more and wild cur
rent of water swept around. the build
ing, cutting off all hope of escape on
foot 1t was now plain that they were
hemmed in.
The horseman waved his hand
toward them and then wheeled away to
seek other means of reaching the
school-house. It was trying place for
the young teacher. and some courage
g r,or rs
faces Of the awe-stricken children and
try to quiet them.
But in this he had helper in Nan.
The girls face showed nothing of the
terror Joel expected to see in her. The
woman seemed to have suddenly come
instead of the rollicking girl. She was
here, there, everywhere, cheering the
younger ones in most motherly way.
How this crisis had transformed her!
Joel noticed more than ever now what
a strong face she had He had always
thought her pretty; now look had
come upon her features which indi-
Gated the spirit which makes women
heroic. She had become a calm, self
possessed woman.
While Joel was thinking of this,
through the dusk came boat manned
by two farmers. 1t slowly pushed it's
way through the current, fighting hard
against the wind, ice and drifting wood;
but it was not long before the rescuers
reached the imperiled house. Joel
could no longer open the door without
letting in a little ocean. Tiny rivulets
were spreading over the floor. The
only way to get the children into the
boat was through an open window.
Not more than half the number were
able to get into the boat. The rest must
wait.
Hadn't you better get in now, Mr..
Professor?" asked one of the men when
the boat was ready to push off for the
bank.
net as long as there is any one else
to 90, Zeb, was Joels firm response as
he gave the boat steady shove away
from the house.
A half hour of suspense passed. Then
the dim outline of the boat appeared
through the gloom again.
The boat is full enough" said Joel,
as he tucked the last one of the child
rem securely into the boat. THE load
would be too heavy and trouble might
come of it if should get in. I hope
the worst is over anyhow. Even if the
water rises two feet more I can still
find a way to keep out fit till morn
ing perhaps"
''Tan'tjust the thing to leave you
here" said one Of the men hesitatingly.
Get in and we'll get through all right,
I guess.
No, 2 was the quick response. Go
ahead. If you can come for me, all
He paused. Something in Mans
eyes awoke a tumult in his breast. A
strange light shone in them and as
Joel leaned down from the window
toward her, in answer to a slight move
ment of her hand, she whispered:
.Mr. Sherwood, I'm sorry I've made
you 50 much trouble this winter. I
didn't mean it. Will you forgive mea''
The only reply Joel gave was a warm
pressure or the hand. That was enough.
She understood it. Then the boat
pushed out into the twilight.
Rnt II left behind q very ha my yn,,rnr