Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1891-12-26

only be there Off and on for awhile,
just long enough to secure the title and
sell out when the boom came-for salt.
1t may have been sharp practice on
our part against the government, but l
wasn't then enough of politician to
know it-and Philip never told mo.
Running our two businesses necessi-
for Philip, but as there couldn't be the
least danger of me being discovered
alone in such desolate and uninviting
desert wasn't bit afraid, or, at least
l pretended l wasn't
In fact insisted that Philip would
himself attend to the other business,
and not leave it in charge Of partner
who might be neglectful or dishonest,
rs my husband calculated to do when
we started on our grand way OF .uals-
ing our fortune.
1t was in the carly autumn when
Phillip left me for the last time ere
winter. The next trip he made was
to go and not return till spring follow
ing.
While he was absent the rainy sea-
son set in, rather earlier than we cx-
pected, but I was well provided for
and, under the circumstances, 0uite
comfortable.
1t had rained s.pitchforlss" and
poured 'cats and dogs" for two days,
and on account of the floods, as right
" supposed, my husband was detained.
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), didn't mind the storm
very much until on the third day OF
steady rain, when I became alarmed.
On the afternoon when looked out
anxiously, hoping to see Philip COM
ing with the big covered wagon to take
me away l was frighten ed at the sight
before me.
The marsh as far as l could observe
in the heavy downpour of water, was
threatening to destroy or float away
our frail little shanty.
The wind was terrific, too, and the
lightning and thunder were fearful.
But I felt more concerned for my
husbands safety than my own. for l
imagined him lost in q vain attempt to
reach baby and me, and even fancied
could hear his voice calling amid the
tempest
However, there was nothing I could
do except to fasten the rude door and
windows and go to sleep, trusting that
the morning would find all safe and
bring bright skies again.
Our shanty was raised on posts from
the ground foot or SO, and, as yet,
the floor was high and dry.
After giving baby his supper ant : ay-
ing the darling, fast asleeP,..e- -. ..,,s-
die. got into bed without <undresE g
| and tried to rest. but the rocking the
house and the startling claps or th..a
der and the noise sf 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 it was long be-
fore l could close my eyes.
| At last I was doing and losing my
self in ugly dreams when was aroused
by feeling something drop on my bed
covering. shut my eyes again, think
| ing l dreamed it.
noises, apparently from the walls,
and more things dropping on my bed
made me sit bolt upright and look to
see what they were.
Horrors! Mice in countless numbers
driven by the raging flood without
were dropping from the rafters all
about me. Climbing on the house out
side, thence through crcvices under the
caves 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 floor-even my bed, We're black
with the m.
With shrek l jumped to my baby,
mice hitting my bare feet and running
over them, and back into bed with my
child I got, for there was no other or
| better refuge for us.
! There. with blankets tucked to our
nccks, sat striking and shouting and
warding Off as best could the endless
army of half-drowned mice that We're
dropping on our heads and shoulders
and bed till the blessed daylight came,
with the bright sun shining through
the 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 to open the door and drive
them forth. All 1 could do was to sit
on the bed holding baby, thankful that
no more of the dreadful creatures were
| falling on me, and wait for Phillip.
| At noon he came, for the flood soon
subsidized, and 1 answered his shout
with a cry of JOY.
He burst in the door, fearful that
was in worse trouble than nice could
make, and never needing the escaping
creaturcs-caught me and baby in his
/ big, strong arms The next day left
our salt-Inarsh tract for good and, ] be-
lievc, it went back to the government.
| If it did they are welcome to it, mice
| and aff.--II c. Dodge, in Goodal1's Sun.
Two Bipeds Meet.
A gentleman slowly sauntcring down
the street the other night was startled
by shrill whistle that sounded close
behind him. He naturally stopped and