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

~oo1u run down there and NJ
DAN to make some effort TO sa~e i
-four.
But when he reached II he found
In total darkness, and NO ~spoa1
came to his vigorous knocking Il IL
door.
Downes had probably gone 70 u
nl&ge tavern, .. tO1nary resort q
his.
he was turning away when b
heard a cry. He stopped to listen an
again he heard it, it was a chill,
sobbing.
"Downes's little boy!" though
Alec. They say Downes leaves hin
alone good deal. Poor little chan
guess he has a hard time since hi,
mother died."
Just as he reluctantly began Il
urn homeward he heard the rattl,
OF wheels in the slush OF the road
lie ran forward and held up his Ian.
tern. The vehicle, a light buggy
came to halt, and voice called,
Halo, there! What do you want?'
Alec joyfully recognized the voice,
II was Mr.. Hampton's, the manager.
The boy went to him and briefly
told him why he was out.
The river rising?' repeated the
manager, in startled voice. II
knew nothing of it. I've just come
from Lapham. That's far inland.
you know. Why, there's . couple
hundred dollars worth of -four stor.
Ell. And Downes not around, YOU
say? Where can he be? What's to
be done?"
Il think" suggested Alec, respect
fully, that You and could get 1t out
Let's try"
Well, | have a key to the place,
and there are lanterns there. jump
in," returned the manager, briefly.
They drove quickly to the ware
house, and after lighting the lanterns
they found there, were soon at work
removing the sacks of -four from the
ground floor to the third story. II
was not so difficult task as Alec had
thought, for there was an elevator
connecting the two floors. N was
nearly II o'clock when they descend
ed after the last load of sacks had
been taken up. 1t had not been done
moment too soon, for the water was
already creeping in.
Mr.. Hampton clasped the boys
hand warmly.
Il don't know how to thank YOU.
but for you the -four would have
heen lost, and l should have been
blamed"
Yes said Alec. Mother said YOU
would be blamed for it. 1t seemed a
shame not to try to do something"
i am glad you and your mother
eel kindly toward me. You know
mat l believed your father innocent"
'ald the manager, earnestly.
I'VE know you only obeyed orders,
II, in discharging him." returned tho
10Y, gravely.
What have You been doing?"
Il have been working over at the
Tlenning farm, Mother says she feels
nre that fathers innocence will be
roven some day."
4 hope so, my boy, hope So" said
IT. Hampton, warmly. Now we
lust hurry out of this place. See how
ne water is coming in! | shall drive
Oh home. Your mother will be wor.
ed"
1t was raining so heavily when
icy came out. Alec flashed his Ian
I'm around, but its feeble light re-
'aled but little. They could not see
lie river.
They were about to drive away
hen there came a prolonged boom
g sound, followed by terrific
ash.
Whats that?' exclaimed Alec. in j,
voice.
listen" returned Mr.. Hampton, ,
acing his hand on the boys arm
'aln that distant booming. A
'lhe ice gorge in the upper river
S given away. There win be mis-
lef done now said the manager,
lvely. ut is fortunate that the vii. :"
&c rs on such high ground. The fl
II buildings are strongly bull, ] CT
not fear for them, And you and n
re well up from the rvier, but all &c
the farmhouses in the lowlands ~
] suffer, io
Alec Interrupted him with a cry. "
)wnes's cottage is down in a bol.
:. 1t will go. That child may still
alone. He will be lost W
We will go THERE returned the
mayer, urging forward his horse, II
)ownes's house was still in dark.
IS Their knocking met with no W
ponse and Mr.. Hampton, throw.
his whole weight against the NJ,
r, burst it in. 1,
he child, a boy of some Ave or six NJ
RS OF age, lay asleep upon the ="
The fire had died out and the
n was cold. '
r. Hampton caught him mp in his WI
IS.
here Is no time to lose. The rush
be down here very shortly. We WI
take the upper road. You will
the child until tomorrow. As
as ! drive you home I'll 90 on az
he village and look up Downes." ri,
xkpne l.. "A