The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-08-19
IN THE FLOOD.
BY MAJOR ALFRED r. CALHOUN


Those who have seen the bayous OF
Du;siana west of the Mississippi, can
1 he said to have thorough knowl-
ee Of America, even if they have
Eited every other state and territory.
4 country level as a prairie, yet
Eered with mighty forests, whose
kerlocking live oaks and Expresses
Ske grand arcades Of eternal solitude
ID silence
Fine roads in this land are few and
Drt-the only means Of communica-
n being the deep, canal-like bayous
h are usually currentless and stag
i in the shadows Of the bordering
es.
rhe plantations along these bayous
famed for their sugar and cotton,
they would be the most valuable
fbe world were it not for the great
ns Of money expended by the plant
in building levees, or heavy arti-
al banks, to keep the bayous from
raowing in time of high water,
Oh usually comes when the ice is
tirg in the upper valleys of the
Bsouri and Mississippi.
but, though the precaution taken to
out the floods is great, it is not
ays effective. Heavy falls of snow
he winter to the North mean heavy
DIS when spring comes to the
ms of the South.
he foods in the spring of 1888
be long remembered as the most
RE that ever swept over the plan
ns bordering the bayous. Rich
tations were ruined, forests lew
embankments swept away, homes
be off to the sea, herds drowned
scores Of human beings perished
be food Or Of hunger.
be plantations Of Judge Riel and
Gordon were on opposite sides of
Bayou Rouge, about 60 miles south
e point where the Red river enters
Mississippi.
hese gentlemen, though neighbors,
not neighborly. They had had
arrel when young men at college
foolish, causeless quarrel, and,
Ugh % years had passed since, they
never spoken. Both had married
be meantime, but their families
no intercourse.
ldge Riel had two sons, one 23,
Pther year or two younger; and
liordon had two daughters, aged
Pctively 10 and II.
orence and Jennie Gordon were
Y, accomplished girls, and, though
loved their parents and their
t, solitary home, it was but nat
nat they should now and then
to know something of the great
outside the water-girdled plan
ey often saw the sons of their
oor-of their fathers "enemy,"
ey thought Judge Riel, rowing
n their graceful boat, and they
$ acknowledged the salute of the
ome young men, but beyond
Q courtesy was interchanged.
nat news, John?" asked Mrs.
Pn' as her husband came into
puse about midnight with dim
IN his hand and his rubber gar
SHINING with water like recent
lshed stove.
IS still raining as if it had not
~ 1t a week." replied Mr.. Cor
with something like sigh.
az the levee?" asked Florence,
with her sister Jennie, had been
9 up for the report on which
ana perhaps life depended.
'ery man on the place is patrol
~ ~ Watching to prevent a break, "
alr. Gordon, throwing off his
nd running his fingers nervous
pagh his damp, brown hair.
u the water is still rising" said
uordon; ''still rising; three
more and Bayou Rouge will be
ae levee and the place will be
uordon set before him some
and hot cup of coffee, for
ne seemed to have but little APP
AS he stirred the coffee he
Fithout looking up:
llnk, wife, it would be well if
the girls would put on warm
ana have your waterproofa
WIN any light articles you may
you think the danger is as
1hat?" asked Mrs. Gordon.
her hands to- her breast and
70 speak as if his words had
her no alarm.
is better to be prepared, my
SAID Mr.. Gordon, with en-
calmness. II have had RATS
carry off the hands if the
'.nes IN, and the boat has been
to the door. 4
mes Of great peril women are
= 70 be cool and uncomplain-
men. Mrs. Gordon and her