The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-12-27

At o'clock he went home and was not
a little shocked to find that. while his
lot and sidewalk were raised five o.
six feet above the street level. the wa
ter was within six or eight feet of his
front door. He watched 1t slowly
creeping up.
face wore troubled expression.
'.Jim." she said. do you think the
water will reach our houseT NO"
he replied: but IL II does II won't hurt
1t, for l built this house to stay" At
4:3O the wind was blowing at terrible
rate. and the neighbors were flocking
to Jim's house asking for shelter, for
they feared their own little homes
could not weather the storm. Now the
water was rapidly flowing down the
avenue to the west. and on its breast
II bore boxes. barrels and small shan
ties.
1t was only $50. but darkness was
fast falling. when suddenly the water
rose four or five feet at bound and
, was now two feet on the ground floor
Of Jim's residence. Mollie begged Jim
to come up stairs. but he was busy
mailing up windows and doors and
making things more secure below.
I'll be up there directly. Mollie. You
stay there and try to quiet the folks"
The house was filled with sobs. cries
and prayers.
The wind had increased. and Its
shrieks and groans were awful to
hear. And now the debris sped by
with fearful rapidity, bearing not only
boxes and barrels. but large barns and
I houses A cry arose above the dread
full din of the wind. water and crash
| ing timbers. Jim looked out.
In the uncertain light he saw the
figure Of nun. clinging toa large box
with one hand and holding close to her
beart with the other a little girl. The
| face of the nun stood out from its
black drapery In bas-relief and white
as the face of death, but resolute and
firm.
Jim saw the frail piece Of debris to
which she chung tip. dip and sway
from its course. Another blast OF
wind, and II struck the corner of his
veranda and broke into small frag-
ments-
The nun disappeared for an instant.
then rose. The air was under her long
black cloak. and as it spread out It
acted as a life preserver.
For about twelve feet she floated
with tremendous speed. and as Jim's
eye followed the flying figure he saw
her suddenly stop and cling TO the post
at the west end Of the veranda. Quick
as thought he raised his great hammer.
broke out the window and plunged
| into the water almost up to his arm
pits. 1t was a desperate struggle to
keep from being swept on with the
mighty current. but he pressed close
to the side of the house till he was just
opposite the post where the brave wo
man clung. His great fear now was
that she would be blown Off before be
could reach her. and how so frail a be
ing could hold ON with only one arm
flor she still held to the child was
mystery to him. The wind was blow
Ing at 100 miles an hour. He waited
second for the blast to pass over. then
with great effort. crossed the veranda
i
the other around the nun and tried Il
lift her. but to his utter CONSERVATION
be found he could not. Twice. thric'
be tried. but to no avail. He saw tha
she was not only conscious. but In full
possession Of all her faculties. H'
could see her lips move. but no wort
reached him above the deafening roar
He put his ear close to her mouth ant
caught two words. "cloak and post
Jim comprehended the situation-th
wind and water had caught her loni
cloak and wide skirt and twisted then
around the post until she was lashed 4
1t SO firmly that even big Jim coul'
not loose her. but his head must tax
the place Of his strength. He whippe'
out his knife and while he held he
with his left arm he cut away the gar
ment. With the last stroke Of the knit
she rose. and Jim almost lost his hold
and now apother frightful blast. an
the water rose four feet. he chung {
his post until he recovered breath. the
struck out toward the window. swim
ming with one arm and holding tn
nun with the other. He found II in
possible to get back to the window o.
the south. SO. with almost superhuma
effort. he swan to the west side an
icaught hold Of a swinging blind. The
, were now somewhat sheltered from th
wind and entirely from the current Fl
, pressed his body against the wall IN
raised the nun In his arms and place
her on the window SILL He felt for hi
. hammer: but. oh. despair. It had slippe
| from his pocket In the awful struggl
for life on the veranda!
. The window must be broken In. b
must get up stairs with his double bu
den. 1t took only time enough for th
, | brain to telegraph the message to th
, hand before Jim. raised his huge d:
and struck the glass mighty blow
! then another and another. until
could get through the opening. Tt
[ blood was flowing from many a Gu
, but what was that to a man like jill
. Martin? He got inside and found Il
? water was now four feet deep. He bel
, the nun 80 as to keep her head abo,
water. while In her turn she held Il
: child In like manner. Then they pres
|. ed forward. ascending till they reacl
|, ed the second story. Mollie gave a CT
t of Joy apd clung to her husband. aye
] are all right here. Mollie. Take care {
= the little woman and child. They a
J, all but dead. must 60 down stat
9 and try to FIX up the windows ] brol
G out"
1t was dark, but he could see Il
4 / 80 S,,- l1r- shA fr
Y As he gazed out of the window teri