Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1893-12-22

and the next moment the three were
safe in the cool underground chamber
and had reclosed its clay-lined door.
No danger of burning here, nor of
starving, either, for on low shelf
were ranged four great pans of milk, a
roll of butter and cold rice pudding,
In order to ventilate the room, a few
lengths of small drain-tlles had been
run from its arched ceiling, through
the solid earth, to the top of the mound,
and down this narrow tube there came
enough light to redeem the place from
absolute darkness.
While Marie, in trembling doubt
whether the child yet lived was I'M
winding Sammy, the youngster re-
gained consciousness ana set at rest her
fears by, feebly murmurlng: me wants
dwink"-a want shared by the other
two and easily satisfied by the aid of
tin dipper.
1t was now about three o'clock in the
afternoon. The imprisoned children
would have to wait six hours for the
return of their parents. But the room
was now too cool for comfort; its at
inosphere was delightfully."- pure; not a
particle of smoke descended the shaft;
the twins behaved remarkably we'll,
and their auntie was so blissfully hap
Ply over their remarkable escape that
she whiled away the time with merry
jest and story until, by and by, the lit
tie heroes dropped quietly to sleep
Driving straight down from the
north, the two farmers and their wives
had come within three miles of the
spot where stood their homes that
morning, when they met old Dick
peacefully grazing, or rather, trying to
Craze, by the roadside Instantly
recognizing the horse, and seeing, far to
their left, the light of burning woods,
they hurried on and arrived at the
northern edge of Wilson's clearing half
an hour before nine
NO fire was in the fields now, but all
were black and desolate. Houses and
barns had vanished; not fence nor a
head of stock was to be seen, and the
rum seemed complete.
Yet, in shuddering dread of greater
catastrophe, they scarcely thought of
their material losses, as, forcing their
team to q gallop, they drove furiously
on.
Their way lay close to the hill-cellar,
of which, very curiously, not one of
the four was thinking-the men, with
sternly set features, looking straight
ahead, and the covering women cover
ing their eyes, as if to shut out to the
last moment a sight Of the unutterable
horror which each in her secret heart
deemed certain must all too soon APP
pear.
Enve oped in clouds of black dust
raised by their own beating hoofs the
horses rushed madly ON until abreast
of the mound. Then they stopped SC
suddenly that the wagons occupants
pitched forward on their seats, for
right in their path, looking welrdlike in
the murky light, stood Marie Moreau,
holding outstretched before her one OF
the dingy blankets.
Hearing the thunder of the approach.
ing vehicle, the watchful girl had
darted out just in time to intercept it.
"'Tis I-Mariew she loudly called
as the affrighted team stood shivering
in their tracks; and, almost blending
with her own voice came in response
two startled cries-one fervent:
"Oh, thank God" and the other, ris
ing to shrek: MY boys Oh, my
boys? Mariel'
Safe, safe and unhurt, in the milk
house, Mrs. Wilson, rang out the
girls joyous answer.
Silence for a moment. Then the soft
weeping of women, the shaking sobs OF
strong men, ard presently-the two
mothers locked in each others arms
the returned travellers stood on the
ground.
But why go on? No description o.
mine can make more vivid the under
standing readers conception of such {
reunion, and to one so unhappily con
stituted as not to understand all de
scription is useless.
Soon parents and children were il
the wagon, and turning northwart
again, the stout horses quickly bore
the rejoicing party to the hospitabl,
shelter of neighbours house, two mile!
distant.
) Naturally there were many congratu
lations and much talking on the way
much well-deserved commentator o
, Marie; but of ell the compliment,
showered upon her none was more en-
tirely sincere than Sammy's:
"Mudder, us likes auntie heap! WEI
chuclIfull of good things"
Next day the farmers found that al
their cattle had escaped injury, the fir,
not having extended far enough east t.
reach that part of Pine river W hithe
provident Marie had driven them
Though much incommoded by the los
of houses and plenishing, the good PEG
,Nl