Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-09-05
WITH A SPRING FLOOD


eyes. It was very early in the morning,
for the light was still dim. The rain
dashed against the window as it had for
two days. Notwithstanding the early hour
and the storm, there was the sound OF
strange voices and moving Of feet below
stairs
Mark, get up quick" and his sister Mel
lie appeared at the door, both hands be-
bind her in vain effort to fasten her dress.
"Eh What's up, Nelliey"
There's a food. The Tompkins are all
downstairs. They had to leave their house
on account OF the water"
Nellie rushed away, and it did not take
Mark long to dress and get downstairs.
The Hartleys lived in northern Pennsyl-
Tania, on the banks OF the Susquehanna
river. Their home was on a high bluff,
far enough back from the river to be out
OF danger; still Mark found confusion and
excitement below
As soon as possible he joined a group of
men and boys. They were assembled in
an open field, midway between a bridge
which spanned the stream and the dam of
| the village mill. The river had already
spread far beyond its usual banks and was
racing along at a rapid rate; with it came
rails, small trees and occasionally part OF
bridge or building.
Eve must save the dam and the bridge"
one man cried
'The current must be kept clear" Mr..
Hartley declared. III we let the stream
become damned the overflow viii carry
our fences and ruin the grass and wheat
growing along the banks
The men fell to work with a will No
driftwood was allowed to lodge. II was
either drawn up on the bank or kept NOV
I ing with the current. Mark stayed in the
| fields all day. He ran errands, carried hot
coffee and sandwiches to the men, and was
so daring that his father was obliged to re-
prove him several times.
Steadily the river rose, higher and high
er. Before dark the planks had been re
| moved from the bridge and the water was
| washing over the timbers. Dry wood was
brought and huge fires kindled By the
| light OF these the men prepared to work
through the night Mark begged to be al
lowed to stay, but his mother, who had
come down 20 the river, was firm, saying
You can do no good, and may get into the
water"
Z win be careful Please, please,
motherl'
Mrs. Hartley shook her head, and the
boy was obliged to accompany her TO the
house. lie tried not to be sulky but il was
hard work When he went up to his room
which be shared with two Of the Tompkins
boys, he was sure he would not be able to
close his eyes. He did close them, however,
not 70 open them until it was morning
He hurried downstairs 10 find his mother
and Mrs. Tompkins busy preparing break
asst
The rain had ceased to fall. Mark had
waited only for a sandwich and a dOughnut,
then started on a run for the river.
Upon reaching a spot which commanded a
view Of the stream, he stopped and gazed
at the flood. II had increased in volume
since the day before, and there was an inn
mense amount OF drittwood of all kinds,
among which was, now and then, large
tree that had been washed away. While
Mark looked the sun flashed out, touching
the wild scene with a hooking brightness.
just as he reached the men who we're
straining every nerve to keep the current
clear, huge elm came down the stream. II
lodged, its branches being entangled
among q group OF young trees growing
near. The men rushed forward with tier
long poles. Mark cried out: "See! See
.Cat we not save themg"
Two lambs were coming down the
stream. Some planks joined together, APP
parently part Of a stable floor, had been
swept along with other debris, and upon
them the lambs had managed to maintain
footing.
"Too bad, but we can do nothing" one
Of the men replied to Marks cry.
At that moment the flooring struck the
lodged tree, and the lambs were thrown
into the water. No one noticed what Mari;
was doing until it was too late to stop him.
He had tied a stout rope around his waist
and swung himself out on the tree trunk
Not until he was too far out for the men
TO compel him to return did be toss back
the loose end OF the rope.
"Stand ready TO pull me in, he shouted |
in a voice that was heard even above the |
roar of the water.
His father shouted for him to come back. |
The tree, struck BY another coming down
with the stream, began to swing round.
Come back Come back" the men
shouted.
Mark steadied himself by a branch and |
then went on. The lambs were struggling |
feebly. entangled in the driftwood. Lean
ing forward, he clutched one with each /
hand. That instant the tree gave way, and |
he was swept into the stream. Fortu-
nately the second tree had struck the first
a few feet beyond him. The men on shore
braoed themselves Would the rope hold |
1t did. Hand over hand they drew the
venturesome boy in, and with him came
the lambs, one tightly clinched in each
hand
IL couldn't help doing Il, father"
Mark exclaimed when he could speak. you
see they were something alive"
The food soon began to decrease in
force, and although much damage was
done TO property. no lives were lost. As
no owner appeared for the rescued lambs.
Mark cared for them through the summer.
and in the fan a neighboring farmer took
them 10 double in three years" This
was kept up until Mark was p and ready
10 enter college The sheer. which had in
creased 70 Is, were sold for good price,
md the money was substantial help 10
the young student.-Detroit Free Press.
His Speciality. II
The Man Ito applicant for almsl-Poor ]
woman; have you no husband 20 earn liv-