St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-08-27
SADIE HOLMAN, HEROINE.
BY MRS. MARY X. p. HATCH Of st. Johns
bury, in The Interior.
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
Sadie FASTENED back and with fast
beating heart raped at her parents
door.
1T is |, mamma, don't be afraid
and | am perfectly well. But papa
the water is deep in the cellar anc
hadn't we better go up to grand
pa's?"
Water, water what does the
child mean, Julian p
Only that the freshet is high this
spring, and perhaps may enter the
house. Dress up warmly, and we
will 60 up to your father's-if we
can get there" he mentally reserved.
Sadie came hurridly in and helped
her mother dress. Then, lantern in
hand, they started out the back door
through the darkness. 1t was not
more then quarter of mile, the
wind and rain had abated, and a
faint glimmer went with them step
by step; but the terrible surging
and roaring of the water that could
be heard upon every side, seemed
threatening TO overwhelm them-as
though al any moment it might be
upon them. Like horse galloping
without its rider, so the water SEEM
ingly without master, rushed with
unbridlcd force through ravine and
valley. Mrs. Holman, like many
nervous, delicate women, was calm
directly she realized the situation.
when we get beyond Sadie's
lake." said she, 1--WE shall be all right,
but we must go up this way"
But the clouds were breaking and
just as they stood, irresolute by the
side OF the water that stretched
broadly before them, the clouds
parted and the full moon looked
down benignIy upon them.
"How near she looks and how
good" exclaimed Sadie.
BY her kindly CLEANS they saw
broad tract of land to the left, that
they knew would carry them to the
railroad track and above that it was
high land to grandfather Alden's
door; tor the house was built almost
on cliff, beautiful old place that
would be glory for them, maybe
for many days. Luckily they reach
ed the house in safety. Grandma
was easily aroused, a fire was built,
the iugitives warmed and comforted
and finally sent to their bedrooms.
"You sleep in the blue room, dear"
she said to Sadie. Don't come down
in the morning till you get nicely
rested"
Sadie kissed them all tenderly and
went to her room. She knelt beside
the little white bed and said a short
prayer, then rising stood irresolute
for few minutes.
Eyes, I'll leave line; something
might happen" Taking her diary
from her pocket, she tore out a leaf
and wrote, Dear papa and mamma:
Now that we are so comfortable,
! can't help thinking Of poor Mrs.
Walker and the Eaton children. |
am going to take myhittle boat and
carry them to Sam Walkers. |
/ shall get along nicely, | think, but
if | don't, it's only one life Pm losing,
and that isn't much when you come
to think of it. Goodbye.
SADIE"
Girlishly, thoughtlessly cruel, it
may be, and unmindiul OF what that
life was to her parents, Sadie went
downstairs, and out to the boat
house, at the back OF the other
buildings. Fond OF outdoor sports,
she had always been doublv fond of
boating and though delicate look
ing, she was strong and sell-reliant.
The land here made sudden drop
and always, even in dry weather
a brook dubbed over the stones,
and was deep enough to float Sadie's
boat. She hoped and expected to
get the children and old people to a
place of safety, but it is doubtful if
she realized the extent OF her under
taking. The brook was now a foam
ing, rushing stream, and Sadie, APP
paled by its grandeur, started back
The moon was still up and the
heavens clear of clouds. and a
thought of poor Mrs Walker and
the Eaton children, penn,d up in
their houses, aroused Sadie.
ITS as light as day, and the brook
will take me part of the way. l can
drag the boat over the dry land"
said she to herself.
few minutes and the boat was
launched, and Sadie seated herself
firmly, gripping the oars. But she
had little TO do except keep upright,
for it was carried by the force of the
current with terrifying swiftn, SIS
down the stream, which broadened
and hrnadrned with a shallow WASTE