The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-08-23

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race on the ice for fear OF the defeat he
knew would await him. Hire happy
laugh rippled everywhere. Not boy
Not girl but fled to her in time OF
trouble. for she was ever 10 them a
champion equal TO every emergency.
To all she was simply "Nan"-kind.
loving. mirthful Nan"
About the time Joel's school closed
the river. which had been frozen all
winter. began to break up, and the ice
gave signs OF going out. Here and
there great seams appeared, and warn
ing roar sounded through the valley.
Some OF the older boys who had ex-
plorcd the stream higher up sagely
predicted that there would be trouble
before night. but this brought TO Joel's
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 gorgcs that
sometimes damned the river aud food
ed the entire country for miles around.
At noon the report came that gorge
was forming short distance above the
school-house. There never before had
been such n pile of Ice crowded into
that part of the river, and water was
beginning 10 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
home. he thought il best for them to
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 yeomencame for their little ones
quite while before the usual time for
their dismissal. and gravely 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 danger
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 n terrible one.
Joers heart reproyed him for not let
ting the children go 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. lie could not
let them go now. Ii 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 Ii was now plain that they were
hemmed in.
The horseman waved his hand
toward them and then wheeled away 10
seek other means OF reaching the
school-house. IL was trying place for
the young teacher, and some courage
was required TO look calmly into the
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 10 see i'm her. The
woman seemed 10 have suddenly come
instead Of tho rollicking girl. She was
here, there. everywhere, cheering the
younger ones In a most motherly way.
How this crisis had transformed heri
Joel noticed more than ever now what
n 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 a boat manned
by two farmers. Ii slowly pushed its
way through the current. lighting 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 little ocean. Tiny riyulets
were spreading over the floor. The
only way 10 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..
ProfcssorP" asked one of tho men when
the boat was ready to push of for the
bank.
mot as long as there Is any one else
10 go. Zeb." was Joel's 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. T" said Joel,
as he tucked the last one of the child
rem securely into the boat. The load