The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
ABriidef0r an Hour,
A Thrilling Story Of The Johns
town Disaster.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XI.
MOTHER AND WIFE.

CHAPTER III.
MOTHER AND WIFE
The woman who lost her babe was very
quiet. Rose Somers talked to cheer her.
When they were out of sight of the log
suddenly said, looking straight at her
DO you think it possible my baby can
be alive? All at once it came to me,
such thing might be. Could it,"
Distressed, suffering as Rose Somers
was in body and mind, this question ap-
pealed to her so strongly that she forgot
her own sorrow for the time.
Certainly do," she said, declsively.
'If God saved you and me, why could
he not save your child? Such thing
ran be. Tell me where it was last seen.'
Il did not see it at all. left my baby
sleeping in its cradle. nursed it, and
laid it down. was going to speak to its
grandfather-my husband is dead-its
grandfather lived with me. I heard him
shouting-I ran to the door, and" :
You saw what beheld; thought it
was judgment day.
The steelworks' whistle began to
blow. knew the food was coming, but
before I could cross the room, the watet
filed the house. My baby was drowned
in its cradle"
You are not sure. It may be alive"
Its grandpap-my father-tried to
catch NE. He had my arm one time, them
we were torn apart. I never saw him
again. held on to fence, then to a
boat, and next caught o roof, and was
borne away till they found me, and took
me out of the water. Do you think there
is a chancet"
Il do. One never knows"
The mother now looked more natural
The color returned to her face, and Rose
suddenly took great liking to this pool
mother.
The way was rough and stormy. They
were glad when they came to Didbert's,
where they were advised to remain, but
they walked on to Sands, and we're urged
TO remain there; still they plodded YEARLY
on after drinking glass of pure milk.
The woman at Sands, pressed some
bread into their hands. The survivors
walked on over the mountains toward the
railway. Although they were ready to
sink down on the mountain-side from
sheer fatigue, they pressed on.
It was we'll on toward evening when
they beheld railway track far below
them. It was dark by the time they
reached the place they looked on two
hours before.
They we're compelled to turn back a
score Of times. The streams impeded
them. Every rivulet was torrent. Great
gClches were worn away. Paths were
obliterated. The cattle seemed daZed by
the changes made.
When at last, almost faint, they arrived
= ho roi1uor fharo nn CT Of
human being.
Night coming on. and the only house
near them at least half mile back, on
the mountain.
Il never can walk up there Tonight
said the mother YEARLY.
Nor l." said Rose Somers, But We
can't stay here. We must move on"
They walked on the track in the dark
ness, miles. they thought. They rested
every few minutes. now. Both were e1-
hausted.
Let us lie down. can't so any fur
Their" said the mother.
"Hark::" said Rose. Did you hear
sourd!'
y think did"
There, there, I hear it plainly. 1t is a
locomotive whistle-but it may be miles
away"
The sound of footsteps approached.
Then giuf voice issued from the dark
ness:
Who's thele?"
1T is only us, Rose said, courageously.
who is U.S.
Two poor creatures trying to find a
way to reach our friends"
20, escaped the hood!"
The man struck light and peered into
their faces. AS he did so he uttered an
sIc lamation.
More women in mems clothes! That's
FIVE to-day. You can't 60 up to Johns
town. It'll be weeks before anything
travels up through that hole. Washed
out-plugged up-it's impossible
Can We find house anywhere near
here till train goes down to-to-any-
where?"
"Humphl live handy. AS FOR going
down-you'l not find any train here in a
week"
What will we do?" said the mother.
will you let US stop in your house till
daylight"
I can't promise you beds-the house
Is full-women folks, too. You are well
como, but I'm sorry for the accommo da-
TONS"
There is locomotive near"
You head the whistle. That's not
more than two miles OF. It's just six
around the bend"
I'VE will be glad to lie on Your floor, !"
said Rose.
They followed the owner of the rough
voice to his house, where they fouI d half
Q dozen as unfortunate as Themselves.
Some were silent, others were bewailing
the fate of friends and relatives.
DO you know" Rose asked one of the
women who found shelter in this humble
home, "how far it is to the first station
where one is sure to find train?'
If you are going down the river-you
can't possibly 80 up now--it is a good five
mile walt-"
We VIII go there early tomorrow,
said Rose to the mother. New let's try
to s'eep."
Tie hostess could only give them a
ouiIt. Her means were exhausted. Rose
tbn. ked her warmly, and in leEs than two
III ules these two wanderers were sound
a,'s.r u each Cth. RS ANS on the ECor.