Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-12-25

OUT was we'll provided for and under
the circumstances quito comfortable.
1t had rained 'pitchforks" and
poured ''cats and dogs" for two days.
and on account OF the floods. as /
rightly supposed. my husband wa. de-
tanned. Being busy with packing our
things to take to town where we were
to spend the winter and caring for
baby (who was as fine bouncing boy
as ever was seen). i didn't mind the
storm very much until on the third
day of heavy rain, when / became
alarmed.
On the afternoon when looked out
anxiously, hoping to see Philip CON-
ing with the big covered wagon to take
me away Twas frightened at the sigh,
before me. The marsh as far as ]
could observe in the heavy downpour
OF water was overnowed and the food
was rising and threatening to destroy
or float away our frail little shanty.
The wind was terrific too, and the
lightning and thunder were fearful.
But felt more concerned for my hus.
bands safety than my own. for i'm.
agined him lost in a vain attempt to
reach baby and me- and even fancied
l could hear his voice calling amid the
tempest.
However. there was nothing l could
do except to fasten the rude door and
windows and 60 to sleep, trusting that
the morning would find all safe and
bring bright skies again.
Onr ahautv raioad nv, raoAu fr,x,.
the ground foot or SO, and as vet
the floor was high and dry. After
giving baby his supper and laying the
darling. fast asleep. In the cradle I
got into bed without undressing and
tried to rest but the rocking OF the
house and the startling claps OF thun-
der and the noise OF the rain on the
roof kept me awake and frightened.
In spite of my efforts to be calm and
trustful.
The lamp shedding dim light on
the brown timbered walls and ceiling
of our sleeping room only added to
the dismal gloominess and 1t was long
before | could close my eyes. At last
! was doing and losing myself in ugly
dreams when l was reused by feeling
something drop on my bed covering.
l shut my eyes again thinking !
dreamed it.
A multitude OF strange scratching
noises. apparently from the walfA
mingled with sharp, squeaking sounds
and more things dropping on my bed
made me sit bolt upright and look to
see what they were.
Horrors! Moe In countless num-
bers driven by the raging food with
out were dropping from the rafters all
about me. Climbing on the house
outside. thence through the crevices
under the ewes to my room, they were
coming fighting and squeaking and
falling. the foremost pushed down by
the terror-stricken army behind, till
the walls and Hoor-even my bed,
were black with them.
With a shrek / jumped to my baby.
mice hitting my bare feet and running
over them. and back into bed with my
child got for there was no other or
better refuge for US.
There. with the blankets tucked to
our necks, / sat striking and shouting
e'hU uihS OH ttS Dtbb COulQ un6
endless army OF half-drowned mice
that were dropping on our heads and
shoulders and bed till the blessed day
light came. with the bright sun shin
ing through tho window, telling the
unprecedented rain had ceased.
The floor was too thick with the
field mice some as big as rats, for me
to step out and open the door to drive
them forth. All could do was to sit
on the bed holding baby, thankful thas
no more Of the dreadful creatures
were falling on me and wait for
Philip.
At noon he came, for the food soon
subsidized. and l answered his shout
with cry of joy. He burst in the
door fearful that | was in worse
trouble than mice could make and
never needing the escaping creatures
caught me and baby In his big, strong
arms. The next day left our salt
marsh tract for good and, l believe. Ii
went back to the government If it
did they are welcome to it, mice and
au.-Chiacgo Sum