Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-27

ku0W uObuluk hOOub buo kOIR6S lub
sometimes damned the river anC
flooded the entire country for mile
around. '''' ''''.'
l ID AT noon the report came that {
gorge was forming a short distance
above the school house. There never
before had been such pile Of ict
cowded 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 the first experience with the
river, and when some of his pupils
begged to go home, he thought 1t was
best for them to wait until the storm
was less terrible or their parents came
for them. The latter thing happened
sooner than he had thought likely,
and some of the sturdy yeoman came
for their little ones quite a while be-
fore the usually time for their dismls-
sal, and gravely advised Joel to close
for the day, as they feared trouble from
the gorge up the river.
At lenght the young man, impress
ed more bv the anxious faces Of the
children than by any thought of real
danger, told them to 60, and quietly
proceeded to help them get started
for home. ..e...
Night was dropping down over the
valley. The storm king was abroad
in all his fury. The night gave prom
lse of being q terrible one.
Joel's heart reproved him for no
letting the children go sooner when
he opened the door and heard the
su,len roar which came from the
gorge.
He listened sharply. ...
ID Yonder came man on horseback,
riding rapidly. .a ..
What was the matter? e se
The rush of waters smote the air.
The truth flashed over him.
The ice gorge had given way.
The young mans face grew pale as
he drew the children back into the
house and shut the door. He
could not let them 60 now. 1t was
too late. - .+'l. .. PEI,
A few minutes more and a wild
current of water swept around the
building, cutting off all hope of escape
on foot. 1t was now plain that they
were hemmed IN, y.- .-,sa.-... =.
The horseman waved his hand to-
ward them and then wheeled away to
seek other means of reaching the
school-house. 1t was trying place
for the young teacher, and some cour-
age was required to look calmly into
the faces of the awe stricken children
and try to quiet them. r'a 1885, -a
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 rolicking 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 strong face she had: He had
always thought her pretty; now look
had come upon her features which III
dicated the spirit which makes women
heroic. She had become calm, self
possessed woman. ...... id
While Joel was thinking OF this,
through the dusk came boat man.
ned by two farmers. 1t slowly pushed
its way through the current, fighting
hard against 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 little ocean. Tiny
rivulets were spreading over tae floor..
The only way to get the children into
the boat was through the open win
dow. -.7 a] .'"56ha7sa q. 5zE~ 'i,e aa
Not more than half the number were
able to get into the boat. The rest
must wait. f.4 ~ ". ''' y" -.1 s'
Hadn't you better get in now; Mr..
Professorr asked one Of the men when
the boat was ready to push off for the
bank. ,.t.,..s,., ,,,..s.....',. - %.
Not as long as there is, any one else
to go, Zeb,' was Joel's firm response
as he gave the boat a steady shove
away from the house. =.
A half hour of suspense passed.
Then the dim outline Of the boat sp-
peared throgh the gloom again. 81 no
THE boat1s full enough, said Joel,l
as he tucked the last one of the chill
dreu securely into the small boat.
The boat would be too heavy and
trouble might come of it il, I should
get in. / hope the worst is over any
how. Even il the water rises two feet
more I can :still find way to keep out
oft till morning perhaps. ; p. 4,'aG2 :, NC %a
vi tTain tjust the thing to leave you
here, said one of the men hesitating-
" Get IN and We'll, get through oil
right, I5guess, 1eri gaisa su,ii7 sds W.,
!. sihtNo, was the quick response Go
ahead If you come for me, all right
If not sdt s9aS o5e s3saaI 7sd Ad,
I; He paused. r Something in Mans
ovact unl-o q tnmulk IN his heart A