The leader., 1898-07-27

of the canyon so as to entirely cover
the roads which followed the stream
Kitty's mother would have to take q
roundabout road through the country
and could not possibly reach home
that night. Later he saw farmer
passing on the other side of the new
channel. The man caught sight OF
Jack and hailed him:
YOU'D better get out of that"
"Why?" shouted Jack.
Works above giving way. Been
weakening for the last "a hours and
letting out the water. When they 90
they'll carry everything before EN-"
What should he do? How could he
best care for Kitty?
III get the barn door and float her
over. The water amt runnin' swift
yet. Then I'll carry her wherever her
mother is. | can do it, II stop to rest
by the way.
Jack worked rs he had never worked
before. The barn was rude struc.
ture, but 1t required more than the
strength of a boy easily to get the
door Oft the hinges. He tugged and
hammered until quite out of breath,
but at length had the pleasure of see.
ing his frail bark moored as close to
the door of the house as he could get il
| III move her out onto the porch
while fix things" he decided. "Then
II things should go sudden, could
grab her"
1t was hard work getting the bulky
thing through the narrow door, bu;
Jack accomplished it. taking one more
affectionate glance at the quiet little
sleeper as he quickly turned to other
| things.
AS he did so there came a rush and
roar. The slight raft tipped under
his feet and he was thrown over, re.
ceiving n violent blow on the side of
the head against the edge of board
| In a moment he was half stunned, the
next plunge into the water recalled
! his dizzy senses With a desperate
grasp he clung to the raft as he was
| lifted, whirled, buffeted, swiftly car.
ried on. Before he had time to think
or utter a despairing cry he was far
from the cottage and the precious
treasure he would have guarded SO
| carefully.
1t was two weeks before Jack opened
his eyes to a clear view of anything
Mrs. Martin was sitting beside him
and he made strong effort &c
straighten out in his confused mind
the various things suggested by the
sight of her face.
"Where's Kitty?" he at length
asked.
"Kitty's safe and we'll"
"How was it?" asked Jack, eagerly
"The house was carried away"
"Must "a been when the raft got
away from me" commented Jack. "Or
with me. guess l hung onto it,"
"Yes. If you hadn't you wouldn't "a
been here now. And far down the
stream the house caught and stuck
"She all alone in them ragin' waters
in the night" said Jack, ready
tears of weakness coming to his eyes
at the thought.
"Yes-the baby! They says the good
God sends his angels to guard 'em
Jack, and I'll always believe it. Vel
just in the early mornin'-it had
cleared up and the sun was shinin
bright-and men along the banks was
watchin' things that come down-sh,
lifted up her head and the sun lit or
her curls-that you always said was
| just like sunshine, Jack,-and they
seen her and went out. 1t was hare
pull, but they did it. The house was
wrenchin' most all to pieces, and o
Jack! If you hadn't "a set the cradle
out onto the porch no one ever would
"a thought o going out there"
Mr.. Martin built his new house out
of reach of the water, and in it was
| found plenty of room and comfort fol
Jack.-San Francisco Examiner.