Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-12


 mean?"
 He stepped aside quickly as some bits of bark and small bough of hem- lock fell at our feet. Then shower of pine needles came slowly down, scattering over us and hitting the tim Der with faint hiss. Before we could look up dry stick as long as log fell rattling on the platform.
 Never seen no sech doin's afore," said D'ri. looking upward. Things don't seem t me t be actin eggzsc'ly nat'ral-nut jest es I'd like t see 'em. {"
 As the light came clearer. we saw clouds heaped black and blue over the tree-tops in the southwest. We stood moment looking. The clouds were heaping higher, pulsing with light, roaring with thunder. What seemed to be flock of pigeons rose suddenly above the far forest, and then fell as if they had all been shot. A gust of wind coasted down the still ether, flut- tering like rag and shaking out a few drops of rain.
 Look there!" I shouted. pointing aloft. &
 "Hark!" said D'ri, sharply, raising his hand of three fingers.
 We could hear far sound like that of great wagon rumbling on a stony road.
 'The Almighty's whippin' his hosses," :" said D'ri. Looks es eff he was plum gin 'em through the woods way yen- der. Look a thet air sky"
 The cloud-masses were looming rap- idly. They had glow like that of copper.
 "Tryin' to put a ruff on the world" my companion shouted. "Swingin' ther hammers hard on the rivets."
 A little peak of green vapor showed above the skyline. It loomed high as we looked. It grew into a lofty col nmn, reeling far above the forest. Be- low it we could see mighy heaving in the tree-tops. Something like an, immense bird was hurtling and pir- ouetting in the air above them. The tower of green looked now like great flaring bucket hooped with fire and overflowing with darkness. Our Cars were full of mighy voice out of the heavens. A wind came roaring down some tideway of the air like water in a Hume. It seemed to tap the sky. Before could gather my thoughts we were in a torrent of rushing air, and the raft had begun to heave and toss. l felt D'ri take my hand in his. could just see his face, for the morning had turned dark suddenly. His lips were moving. but could hear nothing he said. Then he laYafat, pulling me down. Above and Hound all the noises that ever cank to the ear of man-the beating of drums, the below ing of cattle, the crash of falling trees( the shriek of women, the rattle of ma chinery, the roar of waters. the crack of rifles, the blowing of trumpets, the praying of asses. and sounds of the like of which I had never heard and pray God I may not hear again, one and then another dominating the mighty chorus. Behind us, in the sA1oomyI could see, or thought I could see, the reeling mass of green plough ing the water, like a ship with chains of goldsflashing over bulwarks of firSS In moment something happened of which I have never had any definite notion. I felt the strong arm of D'ri clasping me tightly heard the thump and roll and rattle of logs heaping above us; felt the water washing over me; but could see nothing. I knew the raft had doubled; it would fall and grind our bones: but I made no effort to save myself. And thinking how helpless felt is the last I re- member of the great windfall of June 3, 1S10. the path of which may be seen now, 50 years after that memorable day. and l suppose it will be visible long after my bones have crumbled. thought had been sleeping when l came to; at least, had dreamed. l was in some place where it was dark and still. could hear nothing but the trip of water; could feel the arm of D'ri about me, and I called to nim and then l felt him stir.
 "Thet you, Ray?" said he, lifting his head.
 Yes answered. Where are we?"
 Judas Priest! l ain no idee. Jes woke up. Been a-layin' here tryin t think. Ye hurt?'
 Guess not" said I.
 "Ain't ye got no pains or aches no. where n yer body?"
 Head aches little." said I.
 He rose to his elbow, and made light with his flint and finder, and looked at me.
 Got goose-egg on yer for'ard." said he, and then I saw there was blood on his face
 Eff it he'd mt been fer the withes they d "a ground us t powder"
 We were lying alongside the little house, and the logs were leaning to it above us.
 "Jerushy Jane Pepper." D'ri ex- claimed, rising to his kness. ''S whut l call twister."
 He began to whi:tle piece of the splintered platform. Then he lit shaving.
 They s ground here" said he. as he began to kindle fire. ground a-plenty right under us."
 The firelight gave us a good look