St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-08-27

ing to the middle Of the street as
much as possible. and now, with her
knowledge OF bearings and her ex-
perience, had it not been for the un-
expected currents and had she pos
sessed the full measure of her strength,
she would have felt encouraged that
she would soon be with her parents.
But a fearful WEAKNESS was steal
ing over her. Her arms from her
elbow down ached terribly with the
strain of rowing, and her limbs were
benumbed with cold. Still she did
not despair She rowed more slowly
to save her strength, but now the
current carried her back almost as
fast as she proceeded. At last she
reached the foot of the long sweep of
water down from her grandfather
hill, and when the brook, adding it's
current, loaned and tore along with
ever increasing fury, Sadie's boat
was but an atom here. Chilled and
exhausted, it was all she could do to
keep it from being upset. The water
foamed about her, gurgling and
splashing about the boat as il striv-
ing to tear it to pieces. She could
not get it across the rushing stream
even if she had dared to enter it, for
the edge of it beat back the little
boat every time it approached.
Pushing back into calmer waters.
Sadie sat motionless, not knowing
what to do, in sight o the light in
her grandmother's bedroom, but un.
able to 60 any nearer.
Poor little mother She and
papa will miss Sadie" she whispered
to herself, but it's only one lite-or
two, mine and baby Eaton s-the rest
are safe"
But there was destined to be an
other and brighter chapter. The
railroad was submerged for many
rods and the cars had to remain at
the depot. In this predlcament,
dispatches were sent forward and
the section men took a boat and
went carefully the whole length,
sounding the water, and endeavor-
ing to calculate when it was likely
to subside. At the time of Sadie's
distress they were just by the track
across which the water foamed most
resistlessly. All a. once, one of the
men cried OUT
"There's a little boat over on the
other side otIhe track with a girl init,
sure's preaching"
Cant be, Tim"
"'Tls, then, and it's that Holman
girl that rows round so much; but
she dassent stir, and there she sets.
Hello there!"
"Hello!" returned she in faint but
hopeful tones.
want any help?"
Eyes, I'm tired out and can 90 no
further"
"All right, we'll be there in
minute" A few usty strokes brought
them to her side.
"Wal, now how in the name Of
what's his name-did you come
here!" asked the boss.
Il went down to take the cations
and Walkers up to Sam Walkers"
You did! A little gal like you'll"
yes"
IAN you're tired out and can't 90
no furder? Wal, no wonder! Hop
in there, Tim, and row her back
home, and maybe she'll let you take
the boat back. COS l want you"
"Oh, yes"
The glow of happy relief that shot
through her framel 1t warmed her
to her very extremities, that had
been chilled and benumbed. In
a short time she was undressing in
her little chamber, with her note,
happily unread by those to whom it
was addressed, destroyed.
They would teel so bad about it
il were to tell them" she thought,
and soon she was fast asleep.
She slept heavily and uncalled till
noon, then she arose, little hoarse
and quite lame, but she descended
to her parents, blithe and happy as
usual. She shivered, however, as
she looked out upon the dreadful
water that now crept halt way up
the hill to the house. II feel as
though were in Noah's ark" said
her mother, II wish we had dove
to bring us tidIngs."
"All the dove we have is Sadie"
said her father, tenderly.
"Oh!' shivered her mother, and
Sadie was glad that she was not
likely to hear OF her adventure.
Sadie hunted eggs, fed the chickens
and helped her grandmother about
the house, and in a few DAYS the
water abated. By Saturday they
were established again in their own
house. A water line of dark dis.
colored paper ran around each room,
and stretched across Sadie's piano.
just above the legs, but the carpets
were saved from ruin. Mrs. Hol-
mans stores of pickles and preserves
were not however, and many articles
OF value were badly injured. But
they tared lar better than many
families who narrowly escaped with
their lives. Twelve families were
rendered homeless until repairs
were made, and the Walker house
was swept away. Nolves were lost,
however, except the youngest child
OF Charles Eaton. Ga Sunday the
church was crowded to hear the
funeral sermon.