Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-09-04


bed"
''Oh, dear, dear. what shall I do?
If only dared leave baby; but he is so
i'll and fretful, he would scream him.
self into a tit if [ left him."
'.And neither of US can ride" Susan
broke in. regretfully.
Adie, who had been sobbing quietly,
now turned to her mother and flung
her arms around her.
DO not cry, mamma; [ can ride-1
will 90 to meet the coach, and keep it
from crossing the bridge"
But it is TOO late; and you do not
know the wav.n
''Oh yes | do; | have often driven
there with papa. Please let me go"
Il cannot refuse, when so much de-
ponds upon it. Come, | will saddle
Prince while you get ready"
By the time Adie had donned her
habit, and wrapped thick shawl
warmly round her small form, Mrs.
Seymour. aided by Mary, had succeed
ed in saddling Prince, and brought him
round to the door With many FOND
kisses, and whispered prayers, she
helped the child to mount and then
watched, with dimmed eyes. the horse
canter swiftly down the road.
God protect her, and bring her back
to me in safety" she murmured, as she
returned once more to her weary watch
and ailing babe.
Meanwhile Adie rode in the direction
of the river. unconscious of the chill
wind that blew upon her, and the cold
snow that was now falling; she kept
her eyes fixed steadfastly before her,
trying to peer into the fast-gathering
gloom, whilst her ears were strained to
catch the faintest sound of wheels adj
vancing over the frozen ground.
Presently sullen roar, as of angry
waters rolling heavily along reached
her, and her heart gave great throb
The river!" she exclaimed, aloud.
st is making a terrible noise.''
Nearer and nearer she drew, until
she could just make out the outline Of
the dark water, rushing between its
banks of snow; the bridge, an antique
one of wood, fastened from side to
side, was barely visible above the seeth-
ing torrent.
She dismounted when she reached it,
and leaving Prince in the road, made
her way cautiously to the riverside.
Then, as her eyes, becoming accustomed
to the gloom saw the ravages made by
the recent storm, low cry of fea1
broke from her
Several of the blanks were entirely
washed away, and the others were
rendered almost useless. Adie knew it
was impossible for her to ride Prince
across the bridge. How much more
impossible for the heavy, four-horsed
coach to pass safely over.
She trembled, and feeling faint and
dizzy, leaned against the wooden post;
suddenly however, she sprang erect, a
rush OF color surging into her cheeks.
What sound was that borne to her ears.
above the raging of the wind, and rush
ing of the tOrrentp
''The coach!" she whispered, pressing
her hand to her brow: The coach!
must save it."
Without hesitation she placed one
foot on the creaking bridge, and cling.
ing tight to the side-rail, moved quickly
and brayely along the snow blowing
into her eyes, binding her. The foamin 2
waters dashed over her feet, almost
washing her from the bridge; but she
only chung closer to the rail, and nerved
herself to perform the perilous task in
safety
just as she reached the other side OF
the bridge the big coach came lumber
ing up; the horses were quite close to
the bank, when Adie, dreadful fear at
her heart, sprang in their path shouting
nt tb, pf ho,, Chri1l nhilIfC x-oioa
AT first, although the horses swerved
at sight of the dark object standing be-
fore them it seemed that her voice had
not reached the ears of the travellers.
Papa" she shouted again, fear lend
ing strength TO her tones, ''papa--stop
it is I-Adie.''
This time the driver heard, and DIRE w
| the horses up, almost within a yard OF
| the bridge; in another instant several
| of the travellers had sprang out, and
| the light of lantern was flashed ovel
the little, trembling child.
adler Mr.. Seymour exclaimed as
he recognized his daughter. What
brings YOU here? Good Heavens
child, what has happened?"
| She flung herself into his arms,
ttllA ooobIh, hoN llC van SL
was over; it was some time before he
| could get her to explain.
She has save d us-theres no doubt
about that!' one gentleman said, as
| they all gathered round the broken
bridge. Had she not stopped us, we
should none of Us have been alive by
| now
With grateful hearts they passed one
by one across that part of the, bridge
still remaining; Prince was found, and
Adie road home on him, while Mr.
Seymour, and his fellow-tr travellers
plodded along cheerfully on foot; the
| coach with one or two passengers who
had refused to leave its shelter for the
long walk in the snow, had turned
back. and was soon far from the dan
| gerous river.
Who can tell what JOY filled the soul
of Mrs. Seymour when she we lcomed
! her husband and child, and heard how
bravely the little girl had risked her
life, to save those of her father and his
friends; nor did Adie soon forget the
| hour when she had stood in Peril.
|