Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-10-14
The Hero OF a Flood


! ] ACk was boy VINO had turned up
III from nobody knew how and no
body luew where. 1t was known
from things he had dropped in
conversation that he had come with "a
party across the plains and that in the
course OF the long, weary journey his
mother had died. 1t was guessed that
his father must have east off and for
saken the boy as an undesirable bur
den.
All the summer he had been hanging
about the different small ranches in
the neighborhood, living as best he
could by what he received for chores
aud odd jobs, and sleeping In sheds
or beside a stack of sweet alfalfa hay.
but in the lovely California climate
Jack, happy in the light-heartedness
of boyhood, thought it no hardship.
Winter was approaching, however,
with it's heavy rains and chilly nights.
at was a bad job" said Martin one
day, gazing at the Slight foundation
Of his house II hadn't ought 10 built
so near the canyon. But the land was
so good | thought I'd save all | could
of it for the fruit trees. That comes
of bein' too savin'."
Never mind" said his wife, we're
goin' TO build better next spring
Eyes It's been IA good year, and I'm
no end thankful for it. But | must
say ! wish we'd got through the rains
all safe. | guess me an Jack1l bank
up a good bit this week"
The first rain had come--not a very
long or cold one. as would be the case
in the winter. Jack still slept in a
shed and Mrs Martin was troubled
about il, but the tiny house seemed
TO afford no corner not already filed
SO she was obliged 10 content herself
with giving him such bedding as she
could spare, and with jacks laughing
assurance: It's good enough for bet
ter folks n me-"
As the leisure season was now on.
Mr.. Martin was glad TO hear Of gov
crnment works going on some miles
distant above nina reservoir being
built 10 hold the overflow of water
with view TO storing il for irrigation
of the lower lying lands In addition
10 the promise of security ia his house.
IL gave opportunity for getting work.
Of which many of the poorer ranchers
were glad TO avail.
I'D rather like YOU 10 stay about
while I'm gone Jack" he said. and the
boys heart sWollcd with pride as he
added: Il want YOU 10 look a1er
things I'm sure you'll do it good and
faithful"
Another long rain set in. Every day
Jack banked mp his good and faith
ful" best. but. as the canyon slowly
filled after the long summer drought.
was each morning dismayed at the
inroads made Icy the water.
Jack" said Mrs. Martin one morn
inc "Tm gcttin' little uneasy at the
way things looks"
I'm faelin' that way myself" agreed
Jack. who had just come in with dis
may i'm his heart from look AT things
outside
I've n great mind 10 go over TO
! Neighbor Davidson's TO ask if they
won't let MS stay with EN- for few
days, till the next time Martin comes
home. hate 20 stay without him"
Couldn't | goo" asked Jack.
"Well I'd gather ask il myself. But
I don't quite know what to do about
Kitty. It's TOO far TO carry her-even
If you went TO help me-"
Leave Kitty with me- She'll stay
all right-won't you, Kitty?"
Kitty replied with a crow and
spring into his outstretched arms.
Thus encouraged, Mrs. Martin soon
after breakfast took her departure.
saying in anxious tones "Watch
them banks well. Jack. And know
you'll be real good and careful with
Kitty. I'll be back early this even
ing"
An hour later Jack wished with all
has heart that Kitty was with her
mother, as he went out 10 resume the
constant work of banking up" At
once he saw that a new condition OF
things had set In. The house near tho
canyon stood on kind OF knoll. the
ground on the land side OF IL sinking
slightly. The water In the stream was
higher than he had before seen IL. and
ne now noted with alarm that st a
short distance sabove the house some
OF II had left the main channel. and.
turning into the low, shifting sands,
had cut between the house and the
land. leaving II on an island.
Toward the close Of the day he saw
that the food had spread on both sides
of the canyon 30 az 10 entirely cover
the roads which followed the stream.
Kitty's mother would have TO take a
roundabout road tn rough the country