Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-14
A FORTUNATE FLOOD.

The driszling rain which had beer
falling al day had become q heavy
downpour at the close of the short
winter afternoon and this, with the
many inches Of snow with which the
ground was covered made walking
anything but easy and agreeable.
Alec Rswson. trudging along the
road with hat pulled down over his
eyes and coat collar turned up, wish
ed for the hundredth time that he
was at home beside the cheerful fire
which he knew his mother would have
for him.
AS he neared the -four mill, man
came out of one of the storehouses
with lantern and locked the door.
1T is Downes, the watchman. I
wonder ii that -four is still stored
there, thought Alec. He called to
the man, who came toward him.
us that -four still stored herew
asked Alec.
The man held his lantern up so
that its light fell on the boys face.
"Oh, its you," he said gruffly.
What's 1T to you whether it is or
not?"
WELL they say the river is rising
fast and If it is, the flour will be
ruined ii it is left there" answered
Alec,
Il spose it won't be your loss if 1t
u.s." was the sarcastic reply.
We'll, when Mr.. Hampton isn't
home and no one else around to look
after it, seems to me you ought to do
1t Look here I'll help you do it."
urged Alec.
1T seems to me you'd better mind
your own business. I've had no or
ders to bother about the flour, and
besides, don't need any thiefs son
to tel. me what to do returned the
man sneeringly, as he turned and
walked away.
Every nerve of the boy tingled with
Indignation at the insult conveyed in
the watchman's last words. He had
an almost uncomfortable impulse to
run after him and knock him down.
but what could he, a boy of sixteen,
well-built though he was, do against
man OF Downes's great size and
strength.
His tumult Of feeling had not sub.
sided when he reached home. His
mother noticed his excited face, but
she made no comment until, his wet
clothes exchanged for dry ones, he
was comfortably seated at the supper
table. Then her gentle questioning
brought out the story OF his meeting
with Downes.
Never mind" she said, soothngly.
1T is what we must bear. 1t will not
be for always. The truth will pre-
vail some day, I az, sure of it,"
Mother, l believe Downes knows .
something about it. Why does he al
ways taunt me with it?"
am afrald he is bad man, But
let us not think of that. Did you say
the river is rising?" asked Mrs. Raw
son.
Over in the village they think there g,
Is going to be flood on account of
this sudden thaw coming upon all this n u
then this rain. You see.
the store-house that flour is in is the J
lowest one near the river. | heard =
there was lot of -four ruined there l.,
once before when there was a flood" !. "
Yes said Mrs. Rawson, that was "
The year before we came here. But " "
Iurely Mr.. Hampton will see that this Il
aour is taken out"
HE isn't at home He went IN :"
1apham on business yesterday. On III
,ccount of the mill being idle ali these q
weeks there are none of the workmen
round except Downes. He always
vas lazy fellow.
I'D be sorry for the -four to be lost. Pr
like Mr. Hampton ~
Yes, so do |, said Alec warmly.
He couldn't help about father. He ia
ad to obey the mill owners orders" en-
and he will be blamed if it is lost" gr
nd his mother regretfully. al
After supper was cleared away, the III
lother and son sat chatting by the uo
re until Alec, suddenly jumping up,
sclaimed. OF
Mother, cant stand it. I'm go WI
lg down to the river to see how it !
oks. ~
20, Alec! in all this rain?o ex- LOW
aimed Mrs. Rawson anxiously. ps
why, III try and get Downes make
attempt to save the -four. It does n'a
1t seem right not to do something
'out it when Mr.. Hampton is not mes
IRE to attend to it. Don't worry res
'out me, I'll be all right And ing
stily putting on heavy outer coat 200
I'd thick shoes and lighting a lam !
IN, Alec started off, with a parting yea
junction to his mother not to sit up bed
r him. But she inwardly resolved roo
at she would, and resumed her seat M
the fire to think sadly over the arn
snts OF the past two years. ~.
Her husband had been employed In Will
-four mill and they had been very Will
ppy until one dreadful day when KeeI
70 was taken from the office. Cir sool
instances seemed to point to 70
aries Rawson as the thief He had And
ongly protested his innocence, and ger
there was no positive proof against wac
the mill owners had not prose- II
led him, but had dismissed him. plac