St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-08-20

w
house was safe but not everybody's.
Old Mr.. Walker and his wife at the
foot of the hill, and the Eaton children
Just below them, WERE or would be
in the most dangerous part. Sadie
stopped at the small house of the
Walkers and raped. A sweet faced,
neat looking woman came to the
door, limpng, and Sadie said:
at was cruel to make you come
to the door; thought that foot
was well, grandma"
mo, dear, I've took cold in it, !
guess. Itdoes me sight of good to
see you. thought you had gone
back to school,"
"No, got left. | should have come
in to see you often, but mamma is so
poorly.
Her quick eye noticed that the
dishes were not washed, nor the
floor swept. Taking off her hat and
DOMINIC Mrs. Walkers big apron,
in spite OF the old lady's expostula-
tons, she soon had the little room
in good order. Meanwhile she was
saving:
Isn't there place you could go
for few days visit? People are
afraid of great treshet here in the
village"
"Oh, no, dear, l amt afraid. There
never has been any since | moved
here, and guess there won't be. I'd
rather take my chances of ireshet
than go back to Sans, the children
are so sassy, and she warn't glad to
have me, could see that. SAM
away now, out to work, too. Oh,
no, lguess there aint no danger"
well, | hope not"
Sadie inherited from her English
ancestors a hopeful disposition, and
what one dislkes, one is not apt to
entertain. 1t didn't seem likely, and
then tear passed from her heart, and
after a few minutes conversation,
she was in the street again.
She did not stop at the Eatons',
but just patted the baby's cheek as
he sat in the door, and left big ap-
pie in his lap.
Mary" she called to the girl,
mamma put me up nice lunch,
but the train left me and so l don't
need it. Wouldn't Johnny like it to
carry to school?"
"Oh yes; | can't cook much. I'm
learning, but the bread don't seem
to come right yet. Imiss mother So"
and the womanly little creature
pressed one hand to her face to keep
back the tears, land l know she
misses us, any way the baby, if she is
in heaven"
"She's watching you every day,
Mary think, and when you do your
best she's happier for it, I'm sure.
Isn't your father at homer"
mo, he's gone to Pittsfeld to
work. He said he'd try to come
back Saturday night"
"And you are alone?"
"Yes'm, me and Johnny and the
baby"
When Sadie reached home the little
mother gave cry of pleasure at sight
OF Sadie, and then stood pale and
trembling. A low, nervous fever
had left her weak and sick.
I'm all right, mamma, only got
left, and | am glad, for now can
help you. I'm going to cleaning
house, that is, Pm going to make a
few preliminary hourishes," and she
laughed gaily.
why Sadie, what can you do?"
II can take up the carpets. You
know you were worrying yesterday
for fear Mrs. Roy would rip and tear
them, as she did last year."
Coaxed and persuaded, Mrs. Hol-
man at last went to take her nap,
and allowed Sadie to do as she
pleased, and left alone, she changed
her dress and went quickly about
her task. First carrying up all the
smaller and more valuable pieces OF
furniture, together with the books
and pictures, Sadie took up the car
pets, folded them neatly and swept
the floors. 1t was heavy work, but
extraordinary occasions call tor ex-
traordinary measures, and as you
will surmise, she was preparing for a
possible flood.
Tired at last, she went to her
room and lay down for a nap, and
fell so soundly asleep that she only
awakened at tea time. When she
had an opportunity, Sadie told her
father what she had done.
Pm glad you didn't tell your
mother, Sadie, and guess there was
no need OF moving the things, but I'll
carry the carpets up stairs for you"
us the water still rising, papa ?'
YES, but nobody thinks it will come
up much higher unless it rains, and
it don't look like ram in the least.
I've seen the water as high myself,
higher in some places than it is now"
Relieved and tired, they went to
bed early and slept heavily. About
midnight, Sadie awoke suddenly,
aroused by the fierce wind and heavy
ralndrops that were beating on the
root. The sense of peril that had
been with her through her sleeping
hours now bore upon her with con
seriousness, and in a moment, as in
vision, she saw the snow loosed
from its fastness by the pelting rain,