The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-11-28
SAVING THE LEVEE.

swept over the banks. carrying for
tunes and even lives before them.
On one OF the big plantations oppo-
site Shreveport every effort was being
made to withstand the food, Hands
were collected from every cabis and
recruited from all the adjoining places
TO strengthen the water soaked levees,
which shook on tho pressure OF a
mans foot.
IL was almost dusk. but the men
who had not rested for days worked
with the strength OF fresh yigor as the
voice OF Tom Aiken. the planter. d.
recied them and cheered them on to
tho task which seemed so hopeless as
tho waterl crept steadily and, steadily,
higher But for. the fact that every
one was busy with Els work. a little
negro boy, who suddenly dropped his
spade and stole away betwixt the
wheels OF big sand wagon. might
have been seen us he scurried away
around the curve In the embankment
He ran quickly along for full
quarter OF a mile without looking
back. dawn the narrow. slippery road
that was left between the cotton rows
and tho levee The boy slackened
his paco when he became convinced
that no one was In pursuit OF him. and
as he did 80 he heard the loud CHEEKY
voice OF Tom Aiken back at the break:
"All work together boys!'
Huh! All work together" the boy
said. ''Yessir. but you bet dis here
niger done tired er workin' togedder.
Ise gwine TO sleep. Is. II an shet
my eyes for two whole days an nights
an gwine round the pint to Aun'
Why's an go to sleep
In his eagerness TO reach the Gov
eted goal the little negro quickened
his pace again. IL was now almost
dark. but his eyes had grown accus-
toned to tho gloom. He could soc tne
curving line OF the levee. which SEEM
ed TO tremble with premonition OF
its own inadequacy; he could SEQ all
the waterpools In the road. His little
legs had measured perhaps a mile
more when the ominous roar of the
river made him stop and peer over
the 'levee at the rushing waters.
As he scrambled up the slippery
bank clod of loosened earth fell heav-
lily into the road below and through
the orifice which it left little stream
OF muddy water trickled 3 Tho boy
caught his breath quickly when the
water ran over his hand.
'Lordy!" he exclaimed. '.Dere's
gw:ne to be break right here
Lordy! Lordy! what gwine dol"
lie stopped to consider Thcre was
still another milo before he could
reach the point and he know there
were only a few old women In the cab
: ms there. .und be could get no help
from that source. II was more than a
mile back to where the men were
working, and he was afraid to show
himself there after having run away.
Besides there was not moment to
lose; what was to be done? The boy
knew that great responsibility rested
upon him. II the little opening were
not stopped Immediately IL was only a
question OF few moments before tho
levee would be swept away.
He stood up and looked about him.
y There was no one In sight. He
Thought he might find h bag OF sand
dropped by q passing wagon. but
there was none. With sudden pur-
pose he turned and sat down over the
little crevice through which the water
came. The soft earth yielded 10 his
weight, and with his hands and feet
: he pressed 1t about him. patting 1t to
mako IL firm. hNf ~
The difficulty lad been solved WITH
out his volition almost 1t was after
il was done that he thought Of the
consequences. He calculated in his
unreasoning way that II was = o'clock.
How long would no have to remain
there? For aught no knew, till morn
ing. He began to suffer by. and by
from his cramped position. but he
dared not move even the least bit lest
the crevasse would open again.
He began to get drowsy; his limbs
were almost numb. He wondered
what would become OF him II he should
kgo ID sleep. 1.-THE waters shouldtise
up over the levee and drown him and
ruin the cotton. would Il make any
difference then that he had tried to
save It? He was inadequate TO the
problem, the like of which han pug
zled graver heads than his. Tho
hooting q >he owl grew less and less
frequenArsho swishiaG Of the waters
fainter and fainter. and the palm In
his back easier.
He must have slept some time.
Suddenly he was awakened BY the
gallop Of horse on the road below.
He was too weak 70 move His voice
vas almost gona but ~ the horse and
rider approached he cried out with all
the-1 stpspgth he could summons
MATS Tomw
I, Mr.. Aiken drew rein quickly and
turped his big lantern In the direction
Of the voice. 4 ~ q ri
WHO IL IL and whore are yonrs hi
asked, dismounting.
ITS ma bsss." answsred the boy.