Connecticut western news., 1901-07-18
A Break In
 the LeVee.
THE DESPERATE REMEDY
 BY WHICH IT WAS STOPPED.

The ieVeeS aDOVe were gone TOT miles and miles, and the mad waters had swept over the banks, carrying for tunes and even lives before them. On one of the big plantations opposite Shreveport every effort was being made to withstand the flood. Hands were col lected from every cabin and recruited from all the adjoining places to strengthen the water soaked leyees, which shook on the pressure of mans foot.
 It was almost dusk, but the men who had not rested for days worked with the strength of fresh vigor as the voice of Tom Aiken, the planter, direct ed them and cheered them on to the task which seemed so hopeless as the water crept steadily and steadily high CT. But for the fact that every one was busy with his work, little negro boy, who suddenly dropped his spade and stole away between the wheels of the big sand wagon, might have been seen as he scurried away around the curve in the embankment.
 He ran quickly along for full quar- ter of a mile without looking back down the narrow, slippery road that was left between the cotton rows and the levee. The boy slackened his pace when he became convinced that no one was in pursuit of him, and as he did so he heard the loud, cheery voice of Tom Aiken back at the break, 'All work to- gether, boysw
 Huh? All work together" the boy said. "Yessir, but you bet dis here nig- ger done tired CT workin togedder. I'ze gwine to sleep, is. ain shet my eyes fur two whole days an nights, an gwine round the pint to Aunt Why's an go to sleep"
 In his eagerness to reach the coveted goal the little negro quickened his pace again. It was now almost dark, but his eyes had grown accustomed to the gloom. He could see the curving line of the leyee, which seemed to tremble with a premonition of It's own made quacy. He could see all the water pools in the road. His little legs had meas ured perhaps mile more when the om- inous roar of the river made him stop and peer over the levee at the rushing waters.
 AS he scrambled up the slippery bank a clod of loosened earth fell heavily in- to the road below, and through the ori- flee which 1t left little stream of mud dy water trickled. The boy caught his breath quickly when the water ran over his hand.
 "Lordyw he exclaimed. "Dere's gwine obe break right here. Lordy! Lordy. What gwine dog'
 He stopped to reconsider. There was still another mile before he could reach the point, and he knew there were only few old women In the cabins there, and he could get no help from that source. It was more than a mile back to where the men were working, and he was afraid to show himself there after having run away. Besides there was not moment to lose. What was to be done must be done at once. The boy knew that a great responsibility rested upon him. If the little opening were not stopped immediately 1t was only a question of a few moments before the whole levee would be swept away.
 He stood up and looked about him. There was no one in sight. He thought he might find bag of sand dropped by a passing wagon, but there was none. With sudden purpose he turned and sat down over the little crevice through which the water came. The soft earth yielded to his weight, and with his hands and feet he pressed 1t about him, batting 1t to make 1t firm.
 The difficulty had been solved with out his volition almost. It was only after 1t was done that he thought of the consequences. He calculated in his unreasoning way that 1t was o'clock. How long would he have to remain there? For aught he knew till morn ing. He began to suffer by and by from his cramped position, but he dar- ed not move even the least bit lest the crevice should open again.
 He could not tell how time passed. Every minute seemed an hour. He could not hear the shouts of the men below. There was only now and then the hoot of an owl rising above the roar of the water or the swish as a clod of earth was sucked into the mad current. He wished he had not run away from his work.
 He began to get drowsy; his limbs were almost numb. He wondered what would become of him if he should go to sleep. If the waters should rise up over the levee and drown him and ruin the cotton, would 1t make any differ ence then that he had tried to save iti He was inadequate to the problem, the like of which has puzzled graver heads than his. The hooting of the owl grew less and less frequent, the swishing of the waters fainter and fainter, the pain in his back easier. He must have slept some time. Sud denly he was awakened by the gallop of horse on the road below. He was too weak to move. His voice was al- most gone, but as ,the horse and rider approached be cried out with all the strength he could summon, "Marse Tomr'
 MT. Aiken drew rein quickly and turned his big lantern in the direction of the voice.
 "Who Is it, and where are you" be asked, dismounting.
 Its me, boss," answered the boy. What the mischief are you doing here, Peter inquired Aiken, peering Into the boys begrimed face. Why. ul, II runned away from back yonder, the boy answered. "T seed the ievee CT breakin here. so I stopped"
 "Why, bless the boyp said Aiken. You must be nearly dead. What is to be donef Can you stand 1t till ride back and get help to i'll the break? It will open as soon as You- -mdfsissl. <.