The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-11

left for Amsterdam. For a week there had
been very heavy rains IN central ana south
eastern New York; the Mohawk was very
high, and all the little streams 10 that sec
| ton were out of their banks. My Drother
! obstinacy in this instance nearly cost MIN
! his life. Having missed connections some
| where on account Of high water, ne arrIVeq
| at Amsterdam after dark. Inc man WIN
/ whom he had an appointment there az nO0u
| had given him up and gone nome. Dlch nc
! cided TO hire horse and ride five miles INTO
! the country.
Better walt till morning." less stubborn
and more cautious men ADVISED. Inc
| creeks are very Nights not SAFE 10 I"Fel
that road after dark.
'NonSenSei It's r straight road, ism II,
excepting the forks two miles 0utY'
Yes. but there are three or four bridges
between here and Adams place. It's dark
as a pocket and it's going to RAIN
'B0ShW
Leaping into the saddle, my brother rode
off. Before be had gone a mile the rain was
coming down in Sheets the night was ike
ink Too contrary TO turn back, DICK
| pressed on, and with the usual luck that
follows strangers on country ROAD, up0n
reaching the forks, instead OF turning 10 the
right as instructed, he took the lett-hand
road.
Presently he crossed little bridge that
rocked under the horses feet; the stream
reared like a young cataract DICK was
drenched with rain and numb with cold
A mile or so farther on an idea occurred TO
him.
1--WE travelled five miles and that's the
first bridge; ia like TO know If I've taken
the wrong road" Aud then his mistake
daWned upon MIN. "By George! they Sald
turn to tie right, and with my usual oDstI-
macy I've turned TO the left.
Wheeling his horse about he started pack
ff.., nil /
more ominOusly than before he could not
see in tie dark that the water was running
over the floor. The horse hesitated and
whinnied in terror. Dick urged him Tor
ward A gust of wind struck them, and
with a crash, bridge, horse ana rider were
hurled into the stream.
Dick did not lose his head, and being I'M
Injured slipped from the saddle, and hold
ing stirrup with one hand, encouraged
his horse 10 make landing; this was al
length accomplished In spite Of the DRIFT
wood and swift current, and my brother,
nearly exhausted. dragged htmself irom the
water and tainted away as a big dog sprang
out Of the darkness toward him.
Ten minutes later, clad IN rubber coat
and boots. Herbert Sinclair looked into the
parlor where his wife sat at the piano.
Beth, dear, Leo is raising Cain at the
foot of the lawn. James ana are going
down 10 see what's up. I'm afraid some
body is caught in the flood"
They found q senseless man on the edge
of the rapidly rising stream, TldeTIeSs
horse standing by, and Leo guarding them
both.
vestibule where Beth met them, not until
her crv rang out. ION. Bert, it is Dick 1t
is Dicki" did Mr.. Sinclair know whom he
had rescued.
In an elegantly furnished room, wrapped
In the sOftest OF blankets, my brother came
to his senses to find Beth bending anXlOuSly
over him. Herbert had retired.
BETH What on eaTth! gasped the mys-
titled man, trying TO rise.
Lie still, you bad boy" she laughed, but
there were tears in her eyes.
But where am I?'
tn my husbands house." with a little
touch Of pride. "Oh, Dick, DiCkW a sob
this time You were nearly drowned!
Just thiuk-the water brought you to our
door"
Hun! Who found me?"
Leo first, then Herbert and a couple Of
the men brought you in"
who's Leo?'
"Berts s.. Bernard. He bought him in
Europe. You were unconscious, Dick-the
rising water would have carried you away
but for him."
80? Then you're not working on
farm ?'
Dick Burbank! Where did you get that
You didn't tell NE your husband was
rich Beth"
No" little haughtily, Il didn't tell you
he is tile wealtlieSt man IN the Mohawk
Valley. He would not let me. His family
is older than ours"
Indeed! Well, don't blame him. Tell
him ] want to see him."
Beth went cut, and a moment later Her
bert entered and offered his hand to his
guest
Sinclair I'm a fool" said poor Dick.
You've saved my life, and
Now, none Of that" interrupted Bert.
I've been obstinate, too, you know"
Il beg your pardon" finished my brother.
But what on earth made you turn farm
hand, thought"
i wanted a girl who loved me. and not
my family, position OF money. l think 1
have found one
1t ceased raining the next day. One OF
the servants took Dicks horse by another
road back TO Amsterdam. Word was also
sent 10 MI Adams explaining the situa-
ton, and he held the horse for Dick until
he could reach him. kilograms and letters
relieved our anxiety, but it was three
weeks before my brother could travel, and
when he came home Beth and Herbert
came with him. Then mother went back
with them, and so 1t has been ever since.
Some Of them are with us-theTe are three
little SinclaiTs pOW-OT We are with them
much Of the time. To prove that he bore
no malice, Herbert named his frst-bOm
Richard "-EX.