St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-02-06

In fact insisted that Philip would
himself attend to the other business,
AMI not leave it in charge OF . partner
who might be neglectful or dishonest,
as my husband calculated to do when
we started ON our grand way of max
ing our fortune.
It was in the early autumn when
Phillip left me for the last time erc
winter. The next trip he made was
to go and not return till spring follow
ing.
While he was absent the rainy sea-
SON let in, rather earlier than we ex-
pected, but ! was well provided for
and, under the circumstances, quite
comfortable.
1t had rained 'pitchforks" and
poured s'cats and dogs" for two days.
and on account of the floods, rs right
ly 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 o bouncing boy rs
ever was SEEM, didn't mind the storm
very much until on the third day OF
steady rain, when l became alarmed.
On the afternoon when l looked out
anxiously. hoping to see Philip COM
ing with the big covered wagon to take
me away I was frightened at the sighs
before me.
The marsh, as far as could observe
in the heavy downpour of water. was
overfiowed and the food was rising ana
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
husbands safety than my own, for
imayined him lost in q vain attempt to
reach baby and me, and even fancied
l could hear his voice calling amid the
tempest
However. there was nothing 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 pests from
the ground q foot or so. and, as yet
the floor was high and dry.
After giving baby his supper and lay
ing the darling, fast asleep. in the era.
die, / got into bed without undressing
and tried to rest. but the rocking Of the
house and the startling claps of thuu.
der and the noise of rain on the roof
kept me awake and frightened, in spite
of my efforts to be calm and trustful
The lamp. shedding q 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 I was aroused
by feeling something drop on my bed
covering. shut my eyes again, think
ing l dreamed it.
A multitude of strange scratching
noises, apparently from the walls,
mingled with sharp, squeaking sounds
and more things dropping ON my bed
made me sit bolt upright and look ID
see what they were.
Horrors! Mice in countless numbers
driven by the raging flood without
were dropping from the rafters al
about me. Climbing on the house out.
side. thence through crevices 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, were black
with them.
With q shrek I jumped to my baby
mice hitting my bare feet and running
over them, and back into bed with my
child l got for there was no other Of
better refuge for us.
There. with blankets tucked to ouI
necks. sat striking and shouting and
warding of as best I could the endless
army of half-drowned mice that wer'
dropping on our heads and shoulder
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 6els
mice, some as big rs rats. TOR me u
step out to open the door and drive
them forth. All I could do was to si'
on the bed holding baby, thankful tina
no more of the dreadful creatures wer'
falling on me. and wait for Phillip.
At noon he came, for the flood sooI
subsidized, and I answered his shou
with cry of Joy.
He burst in the door. fearful that
was in worse trouble than mice con IL
make, and never needing the escaping
creatures-caught me and baby in IN
big. strong arms The next day l lei
our salt-marsh tract for good and. be
lieve. il went back to the government
II it did they are welc ome to 1t, mic
and all-H. C. Dodge, in G00dalIs Sun