Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-03-25
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
A TERRIBLE NIGHT.


that Mrs. Bells mother was very ill,
and she must go at once. The year-old
Daby could go with her, but the other
three children were to be left at home.
alone. since Cousin Lucinda, who usual
~ stayed with them when father and
mother were away. was, as it happened
this time, sick and unable to come.
Mr.. Bell called impatiently to his
wife. who fingered instructing jamie,
the eldes: of the trio, what to do in
every possible. or rather probable,
emergency. and charging Bob, the H.
year-old boy. again and again to be-
have himself, and not "leave his sister
until father came home"
II don't half like it," said the mother,
anxiously. as at last she climbed to her
seat. IF it was anything else but
mothers being so sick, wouldn't go
for kingdom! know Janie's as good
and steady as any girl of her age need
be; still she isn't but 10, and Bob's as
frisky as colt"
"Pshaw, mother!" interrupted her
husband. Don't worry; nothing can
hurt the children, and I'll be back be-
fore night. The river is high though,
isn't it? never remember to have seen
it SO near the bridge before; it won't
take much more to bring it out into
the road. Get up, Bali"
And the spring wagon ratified briskly
along across the stout wooden structure
raised on massive stone abutments.
Meantime. jamie. at home, was busy
with household duties. She washed the
dishes and set Bob TO churn. while
three-year-old Dottie. as they all called
their little sister, amused herself by
pretending to keep the flies away from
the churn. with cherry bough, and
thought herself exceedingly useful.
The rain came down steadily and
heavily, keeping them all indoors, but
it also kept away tramps, IS jamie
thought to herself. not without satisfac-
ton, tramps being. in her opinion, the
one thing to be feared in the quiet
country neighborhood.
The house stood ina fertile meadow,
about 300 yards from Middle river, as
the central and largest fork of the
Shenandoah is called in that section,
and far away from range of hills that
are almost Notwithstanding spurs,
in fact, of the Blue Ridge.
Ordinarily, Middle river is a small
and. although rapid, not a mountain
current, but, like most mountain
streams, it is subject to sudden rises
and on one memorable occasion, long
before the date of my story, said occa'
sion being in the early part of 1865, had
ove:flowed it's banks for 100 yards in
the direction of the Bell cottage.
This was a double-roomed frame
structure, with kitchen and lean-to in
the rear. the main part of the building
being story and a half high-the com
Portable dwelling of small farmer, ir
a region where but little attempt at dis
play is made. even by the wealthy, anc
where, on many farms. the barns are
larger than the dwellng-houses.
Besides the orchard trees near the
cottage were several hickory and sugar
naples. and one great elm-a very
giant among trees-grew close to the
house, almost touching the sloping ROOF
with it's branches.
AS evening came on the storm in
creased rather than lessened. jamie ane
Bob. going out to feed the cattle. foune
the paths running like small rivulets
while the river, as Bob pointed ou
eagerly, had passed the high-wate1
mark of 'G5.
II don't believe father will be home
tonight. JAMIE said he. "lle cam
cross the creek by grandpa's. and
don't believe he can get to the bridge
beyond here, either; but never YOU
mindful take care of YOU"
jamie feared as much herself; never
theless. she kept supper waiting long
after Dottie had gone to sleep. and Boil
nodded in his chair. stoutly refusing tt
go to bed until she did so.
At last. reluctantly admitting that h
was proba bly, right. she made fas
the doors and windows and lay dow
without undressing.
How the wind blew. and how the raj
poured! The river. too, roare1 as sh
had never before heard it. 1t was in
beyond high-water mark now. an
looked like a lake. if, in the darkness
she had been able to see it.
At length. however, she fell ASLEEP
and slept sourd!y until something. sh
never knew what, walked her. Surel
the low trundlebed on which she la
was rocking. What could be the ma
ter?
She sprang out of bed. and. to he
horror. found herself half way up t
her knees in the water.
Wading to the chimney piece. sh
managed to light the lamp. Yes, tn
floor was covered with water. on whlc
the chairs and stools were floatln
about the room. Taking up her lit!
sister she climbed on their mother
bed and hastily dressed her. althoug
her fingers were trembling with fr'gA
and excitement, and not few OF tn
buttons and buttonholes went astra!
Meanwhile, the water kept rlsln
steadily higher and higher. The star