Feliciana sentinel., 1892-09-24
ONE RAINY NIGHT.
.che Moon Made Prophecy That
Came True.

was one vast sheet of water. rushing
and gurgling in its haste to seek its
level.
Uncle Joe thrust aside the big double
blanket which ho had tackled up for
safety at the window and peered out,
and NJ the same moment there was a
lopd clap Of thunder, followed quickly
by . vivid fash OF lightning; the old
fellow put the curtain back quickly in
its place, and with dilated eyes, his
fingers in his oars, ho gave long |
whistle and sought security in the |
next room.
He threw himself down across the |
bed, clapped q pillow over his head, |
and was beginning to doze, when the |
trout door was opened and closed sud
denly.
Jumping up, the old man looked in
great establishment at a young woman
who was standing near the door. She
was entirely enve1oped in a gay patch
work quilt, from which there trickled
down to the floor little stre ANS of water.
s.It it amt Bessie Edwards you may
hang me. Bless her soul" exclaimed
Uncle Joe.
ssI haven't q moment to stay, Uncle
Joe," said tho young girl, hurriedly.
"I only ran In to borrow your oilcloth
coat till morning. This quilt Is so
soaked with rain that It's weight inter-
feres with my walking. and l have
good distance to go.
II am on nv way for tho doctor, and
when I've seen him l must 60 back
again to Mrs. Belrs. She is very low.
and I fear 70 find her dead when l re-
turn"
Uncle Joe trottsd into the next room
and returned Immediately with the
coat. He helped her to put It on, after
which he pressed down on her head
an old hat of his that came well down
over her ears and partly over her face.
Uncle Joe's companion, who had been
sitting SO quietly up in the corner, now
came forwa ard, and. extending his hand
70 the young woman. said with = smile:
1T isn't necessary for you to go any
further looking for a doctor. am he,
Miss Edwards, at your service
well, WELL" said Uncle Joe, II was
so broken up with this dear child I
forgot DR.. Harris was within forty mile.
Beg your pardon, doctor"
But the doctor was looking down at
the plucky girl beside him and waiting
for her to speak.
.sDr. Harris, Mrs. Bell needs your
services sorely. Please lose no time.
Il will follow you."
..Miss Edwards" he asked, ''how do
you expect to get back to Mrs. Bells
to-night2"
Just as I came, sir. 1 walked, ran,
fumped, climbed, waded and erawled.
guess l tried every style and manner
of step and gait except that OF swim
ming"
well, it has rained considerably
since you passed the gully, mile from
ra11 &C r<
swollen now that IL will take stronger
arms than yours to swim over. If yo,
undertake 1t you will be drowned
Don't think of SO dangerous an under
taking, but jump up behind me ant
we'll both get there safely
Bessie, feeling there was nothing els
to do, from tho top step jumped up be
hind, as requested.
The storm was nearly over when tn
doctor and Bessie rode on, and as tn
horse stumbled and splashed along tn
clouds became higher and lighter
lbroke and revealed the moon, whic
tnrned her full face to one side. locke
at the pair, the maid with her hand
laid lightly on her escorts shoulder t
prevent her falling. The moon nudge
star-winked her wise eye an
made prophecy, while the sta1
The next morning Uncle Joe mac
an early visit to the doctors. He aske
about their little journey together, tt
hcalth of the patient and young lad
and finally asked him how he liked IL
little girl. and the doctor frankly d
clared his admiration and deep frien
ship for her. which SO delighted the o
man that he arose, gave him a fir
pressure of the hand, and promised
treat to cigars the next time they m
in town.
..She's no kin of mine, doctor, thouI
I wish she was. I've been here SO los
that everybody calls me uncle, and s.
does like the rest.
ssI,ve known her since she was
young baby. Poor child! Her life All
been all suufiowers an blossoms. II
pa and ma both died before she W
e fourteen, and all they left her W
their house and the scrap OF ground
ssttin' on.
.sIhe first thing she did was to re
out her house, except the two ba
2 rooms, which she used herself eo
family she knew well; then she put
. seamstress' sign, and in no time
was overruu with work.
tAnd when any body was sick she
wuys did her share OF nursing, an
does yet She Is young for such wo
bat she's better an many who's oio
sswhen my poor wife was on
denthbed Bessie never LETT her fo'
uinit- No, there she stayed. night
aAy, doing everything she could IA