The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-11-16

raining along the ridge OF the roof.
Fortunately the house was drawn
out into the current. but gently wab.
bled down the road, lodging occasion
ally III n tree top or humping against
building that still stood on its founda
ton. As it tilted from side to side the
furniture slid across the slanting foo,
with an ominous crash. Finally, af
ter an hour or two, the building
righted itself so that the shiverina
occupants, who had no time to protect
themselves against the rainy March
night, could sit in the flat square in
side the railing of the roof. Mary
chung tightly to her husband, who was
the light and courage of the party.
After they had gotten over the first
| shock of their disaster, George tried
to encourage the timid ones by assur-
ing them that they were in no immedi-
ate danger, and that when daylight
came they would surely be rescued
THE river has been rising fast above
and spreading over the bottoms" he
explained, ''and when it was crowded
into our narrow valley it rose into this
Hood. As soon as we get down to the
Point at Pennypackers Bend, where
there is wide flat, we shall most
likely strand, aud we can soon he res
cued. | know everybody Mt the bend.
anyhow. My Uncle George owns the
whole place.
Il think those lights ahead nre
from Pennypacker's now" said Mr..
Meeks.
81 don't think we can have drifted
SO lar as that, replied George, cal
though the current is swift even here.
But we are sure to he in sight of the
landing by daybreak think we
are riding so steady now that |
might go down into the rooms and
get the women some shawls. Where
would find something, Mary"
cob, no, no! Stay right here. We
shall surely go under if you leave us, "
cried both girls. ''And you never
could find anything, anyhow"
Il know what | can find, then. and
that is the bedclothing. can pull it
off the beds. Some good quilts would
he II great comfort. -
George was not person to wait for
the execution of any plan, so it was
but n few minutes until each member
of the group was wrapped in n warm
blanket
81 don't know but we might as well
all be drowned, whispered Mrs. Gait,
for | don't know how Wen live if we
don't. Everything is swept away"
1--WE haven't lost the house vet. 3"
said George, chcerily.
Nor have we any of us lost our
faith i'll God yet, D." said the minister.
who had lost no opportunity to admin
lister consolation and cheer through
that fearful ride. Don't You see the
light of the dawn, over behind the
hills?"
The tired family eagerly watched
the pale light ms it revealed the river
broadened to lake, and filled with
the wrecks of other homes, the bodies
OF horses and cattle, large trees that
had been torn up by the roots, and
now and then n CHASTITY something
passed them that had yesterday been
human being.
And then, just before them, not
half n mile away, the long arm of
Pennypacker's Point reached out into
the river as if to intercept them.
'Your uncle's house is high and
dry, said Mrs. Gait, looking at the
great brick house that crowned the
spur.
Yes returned George, "and we
shall get there in time for breakfast.
There is n boat going into the landing,
the Ben Morgan, / think. Now, when
she starts out she will come round this
way to avoid the ripple, and the waves
she makes will beach us pretty near
the landing. After that we are all
right.
Every one was now too intent in
watching their uncertain progress to
talk. The Ben Morgan made her
stop at the submerged landing, pulled
out, and after IA disappointing start
out toward the current, pointed her
nose into the still water of the little
bay. A high wave left her beak and
the castaways held their breath in
| suspense as they watched its curve
| coming toward them.
1T rolled nearer and nearer and dis
| appeared under the house. The build
ing rose on its swell, rocked upstead-
lily, careened-and rode in TO the
shore! When the third wave had come
and receded, the voyagers found that
they were once more on terra frma.
and in less than eight feet of water.
''Thank the Lordr exclaimed Mrs.
Gait, with the first tears that she had
shed streaming down her checks.
Now we are sure of our lives mt any
rate"
George was wildly waving his red
and green quilt ms signal 10 some
one at the landing, who Immediately
| put off in a boat, aud who recognized
George rs ne came within speaking
| distance.
ut is my cousin, Henry Penny
packer" said George 'Hello. Hen
ry, how are you?"
'Whnt are you running off with
that house for?' shouted Henry.
I'm on my wedding tour" re.
turned George, rs he drew near.
We've just come down for breakfast
with you in our own conveyance. n
| you can shin the post, I will come down
TO the second floor. Come. all Oh
! you. we are safe now; we can 90 down
! to the rooms again.
The bedrooms presented strange
| conglomcration Of furniture. clothing
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