The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-31

S"SO CHO OSO " VAC pd1Uy "OuAu SOOL
come to like him as warmly as he him
self did. But the result had been quite
the contrary to Denzil's expectations,
and Caleb's first week at Mill Farm
had been n of the unhappiest of his
life.
For a few moments, as Caleb rode
along the silent country road, his re-
Elections were very sorrowful; then
gradually he forgot his own troubles
in a discovery which he believed he
had made a day or two before. The
Mill Farm had received its name from
the saw mill which stood at some dis,
lance from the house, on the bank of
the brook which ran through the midst
of the valley. Half a mile above the
dwelling a heavy dam had been built
across the stream, making a pond Of
some acres in extent, which supplied
power to the mill. Riding about the
country alone on his bicycle, Caleb
had found this dam and had visited it
frequently.
There had been a heavy rain storm
at the beginning of the week and the
water in the pond had risen to the
very brink of the dam. The structure
was old, and the pressure Of the water
had started a number seams in the
masonry. This was Caleb's discovery.
He had spoken of this to Mr.. Ora
ham, who had laughed at his fears,
saying that the old dam had lasted
fifty years and would last another fifty.
But Caleb had made 4 journey to the
pond every day and had seen that the
cracks in the wall were surely grow
ing wider, Willie the seeping water
vas escaping in greater quantity. On
the previous afternoon he had found a
new crack in the stOnework, near the
middle, from which a small torrent
was rushing. Though Mr.. Graham
certainly ought to know best, Caleb
felt uneasy about it. He was sure
there must be danger of the old wall
crumbling away.
When he reached the pond, and
leaving his bicycles in the road,
climbed down to the foot of the dam,
he was startled first by a loud roaring
sound, and then by the sight of a mass
of brown water pouring through a
large gap in the wall, which had not
been there the day before. Wide
cracks scanned the masonry in every
direction. AS he rested his hand
against the stones he felt them trem-
BILE as under a succession of heavy
blows.
While he stood there aghast, there
came a loud report, and another crack
opened the wall, from top to bottom.
Almost at the same moment a huge
block of masonry fell out, followed by
a tremendous rush of water. Every
instant smaller pieces crumbled down
and now jets of water burst forth. The
dam was going!
Poor, slow Caleb stood clutching a
sapling, wondering what he ought to
do. He knew that the Mill Farm
dwelling was in the very center of the
narrow valley, and if this great mass
of water were to rush down upon it
suddenly, it must surely be swept
away with all in OF neal it.
In the midst of his doubt and terror
another section of the wall gave way,
and driven by a blind impulse Caleb
climbed the bank, mounted his bicycle
and raced town the road like the wind.
Behind him he could hear the deepen
ing roar of the water, and as he turned
into the gate at the Mill Farm, shaking
with fatigue and alarm, there came a
dull, heavy boom, that seemed to
shake the pond. The dam had given
way!
A number of the boys and girls were
sitting upon the porch. He did not
pause to see who they were, but
mounted the steps, shouting:
1.-The dam, the dam! 1t has burst!
Run for your lives"
In a moment all was confusion.
Girls, boys, servants and inmates a
hither and thither, crying out in vague
terror, and utterly incapable of caring
for their own safety.
Caleb seemed to be the only one
there with presence of mind. Raising
his voice above the uproar, he shouted:
"Run for the top of the hill! Quick,
don't wait for anything"
With a courage and GOODNESS for
which no one had ever given him
credit. he got the frightened crowd to-
gether and started them up the hill,
following behind to urge them on.
They had nearly reached the top,
when Caleb stopped and looked back.