The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-30

one expected to live to see the light OF
day, and it was voted that the infants
should not leave the world they had just
entered without baptism Regardless Of
the religious belief of the parents, house
dedicated to God and charity had Afforded
shelter to the storm-stricken mothers
and they felt in their hearts that the good
sisters should perform the baptismai,
which is administered In time of great
danger, the presence OF clergymen not be-
ing required.
The experiences OF Mrs. William Henry
Heideman one Of the mothers, If they
could be reduced to words would read
like the widest fiction. Mrs. Heidemau
was thrown on the mercies OF the storm
when her home went down and was swept
away. The family had been separated
when they started to abandon their home.
When Mrs. Heldeman was carried away on
the roof Of wrecked cottage she lost all
trace OF the other members OF the family,
but never lost faith and courage. The roof
struck some obstruction and the next IN
slant Mrs. Hetieman was hurled from her
improyised raft and landed in trunk
which was rocking on the surging water.
Cramped UP In the trunk the poor woman
suffering the agonies OF accouchment, was
protected to n limited extent and was az
forded scme warmth On went the trunk,
tossed high on the treacher1us sea, bump
Ing against driftwood, until it was hurled
against the Ursuline convent walls and
was hurled into the building.
The little babe was born a few hours
later, and while the good sisters and some
Of the women in the building were attend
Ing to the mother and child another chap
ter in this family history was being en-
acted Just without the convent walls IN
q tree in the convent yard young man.
q brother of Mrs. Heideman, battied with
the wind and destructive waters, while
clnging fast to a limb OF the tree when
swayed and bowed TO the mighty wind.
He knew not where he was. He could
barely discern the outlines of the academy
building. but he did not know that 1t was
haven where shelter awaited him. While
combating with his chances of life or
death he heard the plaintive cry OF child
near by. Reaching out with one hand ne
caught the dress of little tot who, cnild.
like, cried out: "Me simming!" Tne chlo
had run the millrace buoyed BY the force
of the storm and had not had time 10
realize his peril The child was Mrs
H5eldeman's little son. few minutes
afterward resculng party sent out IRON
the convent IN response to cries for he'll
found the young man and his nephew anc
brought them to the sheltering Institution
The reunion of at least part OF the fami'
" followed a few minutes later. III Wd'
a scene which a mere mortal should no
attempt to describe.
\
And through it all, while the vim
howled and shrleked and gibbered as II II
nendish glee at the awful results of 1t
work, and while the waves dashed IN
walls of the convent with a noise TSci
was only equalled by that of the wind, tn
mother superior and her nuns went aoou
doing good So far as they were able the
provided shelter and clothing and gentl
care 10 all who We're in need. Many o
the refugees were taken in with thel
clothing literally stripped from thei
bodies by the war OF the elements.
some OF these, both men and women, wer
given the sombre dres ses Of the nuns, an
the men thus clothed lent their assistanc
In the work.
The story of the happenings in the con
vent that night will never be known, n
more than will that Of the storm at large
But enough of 1t has been told TO entitl
Mother st. Joseph and her sanity wome
=. A. htghast honor and glory.