The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-06
4 NARROW ESCAPE.
An Incident of the Great Flood of
1894 in Oregon.
BY HANNAH PETIT.

hardly old enough to have been out of his
mothers arms. He was seated in the bow
of a dugout coming from the opposite di-
rection, and rubbing against the neat, gon-
dola-like craft that contained a party of
was touched.
Poor little fellow Here is dime dear.
Now for the paper,' exclaimd Belle, in her
good-natured happy manner. by the
way, girls, how very little know of
what is going on in this great world Of
ours
THAT is 50. Four weeks since we have
had time to open such thing news
paper chimed in Helen, who was always
read to accede to whatever Belle said.
"Oh, what difference does it make, any
way? The world goes on just the same
and l am sure we are just as happy,
yawned lazy Nan, who cared for nothing
but good time, and to save herself all the
labor possible But it is nice to know
something about what is going on purred
quiet gentle FloSSy. IF we had read the
papers in San Francisco, we would have
known about this terrible flood, and saved
ourselves all this trouble and anxiety by
taking another route home
Our four girls had arrived the night be-
fore by steamer from a visit to the Mid
winter Fair, expecting to take a train from
Portland direct to their home in Southern
Wyoming. Imagine their surprise to find
themselves in. what see.4--' to them, a
modern Venice. and to be told that the
nearest place where the track from I'M
der water at least 90 miles distant.
which would neceSsitate a trip up the
broad and raging Columbia by steamer,
with perhaps wagon drive of many miles
over rough, mountainous country.
This morning the girls had obtained per
mission of their chaperone, Miss Secombe,
to take d ride upon the streets. From the
parlor window in the second story of their
hotel, Belle hailed a boat, which ran in the
hallway to the height of half the stairs,
where they embarked receiving many ad-
monitions from poor Miss Secombe who in
sisted they would surely meet with some
accident before reaching homt
Such an experience as that ride was Up
and down the principal thoroughfores of
the busy city; jostling against hundreds of
other boats, some filled with SightSeerS like
themselves. many intent only upon the
business of the day; passing a floating
restaurant or barber shop, again rowing
into buildings that had, few weeks be
fore been busy stores, but now half-fled
with muddy water; grating against letter
boxes, four feet above the sidewalk; and
passing under high, narrow bridges,
built across the streets, by which foot pas
seneeTs by the hundred carefully
treading their way. Often were our girls
startled by splash and the laughter of
the crowd, and looking around to find that
some unfortunate had slipped from the
narrow walk, generally causing him more
anger than harm. 1t was wonderful eX
perience, perhaps one never to be had
again.
After an hour of this novel enjoyment
they returned. chattering and laughing, to
the hotel; often on their way causing the
paSser-by to turn and look at their joyous,
happy faces, and smile at their mirthful-
ness. AS of them, let us, too, take
look at this little party.
Belle Holton-"FearlesSB Belle as she is
called in her native town. was too tall to
be graceful. A young lady of culture for
of her advantages and opportunities A
wealth of dark, curling hair, always in a
toss, adorned her head; dark, flashing eyes,
a mouth ever ready to say some character
istic word, or propose wild and daring
scheme; but beneath was a kind heart, that
needed only to be touched in the right way
to bring forth a quick response.
Helen and Nan Holbrook We're sisters
both had the same brown hair and eyes, the
same rosy cheeks and lips, and We're nearly
the same height. You could tell they were
sisters, even if you did not know them,
but their similarity in outward appear
ance failed to indicate likeness of DISPOSE
ton. Helen was studious. fond of being
busy, always astir, and looked up to Belle
as her guide and idol. Belle and Helen
never disagreed. Nan, on the contrary
incident fond of having her own way,
if it could be had without exertion to her
self and generally good natured but cap
able of a fiery temper if once aroused
Belle and she often came into collision,
but Nan would finally give way for lack
of energy to push her own will far enough
to overcome her stronger opponent. There
was much in Nancy Holbrook, it needed
only some great experience to make her
realize that life was living, not idling.
How little she knew this awakening was
SO near!
And Flossy Munson? Just ask any of
her friends and they will answer De
scribe her? Why, Flossy is just Flossy'
Yes, just tmid, gentle, clinging, yielding
little Flossy! Always giving up her opin-
ion never asked; always helpful her help
was not appreciated; and good ma
tured, she bore the teasing of the others
with never an angry retort. 1t was she
who made the peace between the girls
and kept them On speaking terms with
Miss Secombe.
Oh, Miss Secombe, l had forgotten to tell
you about her!
Our four girls lived in the little town of
r. in southern Wyoming All winter they
had planned to go to the Midwinter fair
but always the perplexng question would
arise, "Who shall be our chaperone."
May had come, school out, and no
chaperone. At last Belle (who but Belle
would dare to think of such a thing,
exclaimed. "Oh, girls, I have it, We will
take Miss Secombe along!' And how they
laughed at the joke they thought it.
'Old Miss Secombe,' everybody called
her, who had never been out of the little
town of r, who had always lived alone
in her little cottage, and who had no one
belonging to her-"nor ever had people
said, though some of the Oldest inhabi-
tants did remember an aged mother, guard
ed and tenderly cared for by her; Miss
Secombe. thin yellow, and wrinkled, who al
ways talked in high key; and who was
Rruff and repelent to all who dared to
approach her; she loved one, and no
one loved her. People often wondered
about her, often had made kindly ad-
vances toward her. but at last had left
her entirely alone, and she seldom came
into the mind of anybody in the busy
little city.
But, girls, 1 am in earnest! The case
is desperate. We must see the fair, and
must have chaperone. know we
don't need her, but conventionalities must
be observed. / shall go this very minute
and see what can be DONE" So away they
started.
How grufiy they were received how they
overcame it ALL and at last to all Rs
establishment, succeeded in getting her to
the depot in a neat, black dress and bon
net l will not stop to tell YOU But it
was accomplished
Many the funny experiences they had
over her ignorance of the world; very
angry she would become at times, and
scold in her shrill, high voice. The girls
soon realized that her presence was often
an annoyance, when saucy words would
spring back from Bellies, Helen's, and even
Mans impatient lips.
Yes. verify, the party needed a little
peace-maker among them, and she was do
ing more than she knew, for though as
grun to her as any, in these four weeks
Flossey had touched the hardened heart