Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-11-22

shady side of the house, and visited
like old friends.
But they could not help exclaim-
ing about the heat and the oppres-
sive feeling Of it, which hourly SEEM
ed to grow worse.
aEver have tornadoes here I" ask
ed Mr.. Brown.
mo; there have been no storms
worse than those In the East since
we've been here, and older residents
say the same thing"
"That's comfortin' ! alwers in
quire about that when move to
place anything but bein' picked up
by the wind and travellin' off with
out q minnit's notice. No, them
tornado belts of country | steer
clear Of, anyhow"
But in spite of the record Of the
past, it became evident toward night
that some unusual storm was brew
ing. The air grew lurid and still
more lifeless the cattle and horses
became restless and the men went
about making everything as snug
and secure as possible against the
coming tempest.
81 wish / had shelter for your
wagon" said Jack tive had better
unload it, If not waterproof"
"Oh the covers good. My sakes
we've been out In rains. Wind is
all I'm afraid of; an I've never
seen no sky look that way afore.''
as it going to be dreadful show
err asked Mile, anxiously, as they
came to the house.
"CAn't tell yet, dear, we must
watch it, and run down cellar if the
wind is strong. We've got deep
CELLAR added Jack, turning to his
guests we won't be blown away
"That's cheerin', anyhow. I'd
ruther crawl over the prairie as we
did to-day than be hustled along
over if like stray leaf. See them
there clouds tumblin' over each
other now, and the lightnin' streak
in through My grashus ! there's
some terrible power to work over
yender-reg'ler battle in the air.
s.Come," said Jack, mo time to
lose now, run for the cellar" and
boiling the door, he followed them
down the stairs and grasped Miles
quivering hand in the darkness.
The children began to cry With
fright, Notwithstanding their fathers
reassuring words, hut all voices
were speedily drowned by the terri
BILE roar, which grew louder and
nearer until it seemed as if dozen
railroad trains must be passing over
their heads. and instinctiyely all
couched low to the earth expecting
the house to be sweptoff from above
them, but after breathless moment
or two the fearful noise receeded and
passed slowly away.
ut has spared the house, said
Jack, thankfully. ~ hope the poor
animals have e. caped."
He opened the cellar-door, and
the sunshine was streaming across
the room.
Come up; the storms all over, !"
he shouted, sand no harm done,r he
added, looked out to the barn and
garden.
They sll fastened outdoor to
look, and breathe the sweet, fresh
air.
20 Jack ! look at the cotton
woods
Half of them or more were ieyell-
ed to the ground or carried away,
and far over the prairie one could
trace the width and track of the
wind cloud that had swept the land.
Jacks growing crops of which he
had been SO proud, had severely suf
fered, but in his great thankfulness
he had no room for regret over
small loses.
IF that wind had caught us out
on the trail,'' said Mr.. Brown, mus
ingly," it wouldn't have left even
kindling wood of that big Vaughn,
an wife an children would have
gone straight to Heaven, an T.
well, wouldn't o. been contented
'thout goin' long with EN-"
slack |" said Mile, solemnly that
night, "I've been a wicked woman.
I see 1t now.n
aWhy, Mile, what an idea Are
you daft 7"
mo, I'm only selfish and migrate
ful-or have been, this very morn
ing was wishing for something to
happen-anything-I said TO break
the monotony. Then these folks
came. I'm glad of that and wish
they wasn't going away tomorrow.
But, oh ! that cyclone. / wasn't
thankful for the peace and sunshine,
and said, I'd rather hear the wind
than to hear nothing. But, o Jack
hasn't God been good to US after
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