The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-02-19

least danger of me being discovered
alone in such desOiatc and Uninvlting
desert wasn't bit afraid, or, at least,
/ pretended | wasn't
In fact | insisted that Philip would
himself attend To the other business,
and not leave it in charge of a partner
who might be ncglccJTEl or dishonest.
as my husband calculated To do when
we started on our grand way 81 max
ing our fortune.
II was in the early autumn when
Phillip left me for the last time ere
winter. The next trip he madc | was
TO go and not return till spring follow
ing.
While he was absent the rainy sea-
son IT in, rather earlier than we cN-
pectcd, but l was well provided for
and, under the circumstances, quite
cOmfOrta Ole.
1t had rained '.pitcbforlls'' and
poured eats and dogs" for two days,
and on account of the floods, as / right
y supposed, my hus band was detained.
Rcing busy with packing our things
TO take to town where we were to
spend the winter, and caring for baby
twho was as fine bouncing boy as
ever was seem. diCn't mind the storm
very much until on Shc third day Of
steady rain, when | became alarmed
On thu, afternoon hen / looked out
anNiouSlE. hoping TO see Philip com
in,y with the big covered wagon to take
me away / was frighten ed at the sight
before Ino.
The mars. n as far as could observe
in thr heavy downpour of water was
overhovvcI and the flood was rising and
threatening To destroy Or float away
our frau little shanty.
The wind was terrific. too. and the
lightning and thunder were fearful
But / felt more concerned Tor my
husbands safety than my own. for
imariued him lost in vain attempt u
reach aby AMI me, and even faucied
! cpulJ hear his voice calling amid the
tempest.
However, there was nothing could
10 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.
Oar shanty WAS raised on posts from
the ground a foot or 80, and as yet.
the floor was high and dry.
After giving baby his supper and lay
ing the darling fast asleep, in the cra
die. i got into bed without undressing
house and the startling claps of thuu-
d,.ru the noise Of rain on the roof
kept nae awake and frightened, in spite
ef my efforts to be- calm and CrustfuL
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 1 was dozinG and losing my
self IN ugly dreams when l was aroused
by feeling something drop on my bed
covering. ] shut my eyes again, think
ing dreamed it.
\ multitude of strange scratching
noises, apparently from the walls.
mingled with sharp. squealIing sounds
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 crSvics,S under the
eavcs to my room. they were coming
fi-LtI,- and squcakiug and falling. thc
foremost pushed down 10y the terror
stricken army behind, tin the walls
AMI iloCr-cven my bed, We're black
with the III
With a shrek l jumped To my ba by.
mice hitting my bare feet and running
over them. and back into bed with M
child / got, for there was no other or
better refuge for MS.
There. with blankets tucl5el 10 our
neclSS, sat striking and shouting and
yvurdin- off rs best I could The cuLlcs4
army of half-drowned mice that wrru
dropping on our heads AMI shoulders
and bed till the blessed dayIi,!lt came.
with the bright sun shilin. through
the window, telling the unprecedented
rain bad ceased
In. floor was too thick with the field
Eeica, some as big ., rats, for me -
stop oUt to open the door AMI drive
them forth. All could do wa. % sit
GA tLc bed holding baby, ;Lan',.ui that
no moro of the dread. nj cTrr'-rcs We're
falling o., me, and wait Tor Pul!in.
At noon he came. for the Hood soon
subsidized. and | answered his shout
with CRY Of JOY.
lc bur,t "a the door. fearful that I
was IN worse troaDi. than mtcc could
maxi sud never hecding tho cscap -
creatures -cIuSht me au,I a. u hi,,
b.., st-'lg; ;-rmS Th, n"ss day ] lett
our a,:it--,I;r.,i tract for good aaI b.-
Love. j.; wont back to TIA" government.
IF ii did they are welcome - il. mice
and all.-iI- c. Dodge, in tioodali's sun.