Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-03-08
THE
LANDSLIDE
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BY WIZ. PERRY BROWN

/, yards from his own house, that nestled
, under a range Of high bluffs just beyond
! deep cut through which ran the road
Between his front door and the foot Of
! the blum ran the double tracks.
! II had been raining for a week OF
more. The earth was spongy with &C,
cumulated moisture.
There was another landslide yester-
day down below Sweetwater. remarked
Job to his 13-year-old son Robin. who
was making ball bat By the fireplace
job was a widower, and Rob did the
homework after fashion that occa-
sionally made his father think OF marry
ing again.
These red Tennessee hills do beat the
nation for slippin and sIidin when they
get good and wet, said Rob, at the
same time holding up his bat Say. pa,
have | got II smooth enough?"
Il reckon" returned Job in an alb
sent way, as he walked TO the door and
took a final look az the weather.
| The outlook was not encouraging that
night. Overhead the atmosphere was a
3 AAAhAaa VI AhAhstAHabtE uAaAhhEN1s out III
which thin rain was drizzling down.
From the direction Of the trestle came a
low roaring as Of wind and water. The
river was out Of It's banks. and flooding
1 the nearby marshes that ranged for
mile or more above and below
| Presently Job returned to his seat by
the fire, Rob got up and placed his bat
in the corner. About this time a curious
grinding sound began to be heard, up in
the air and above the house roof, ap-
parently.
What can that me? T." began Job,
but his query was never finished
The duh rumbllng ended In a crash.
Something struck the front and roof of
the little house, crushing It as if it were
ann eggshell The light went out. Job.
in trying to rise, was hurled under
table and pinned there by a mass OF fall /
ing debris. Then, as the jar and uproar
ceased he was conscious OF a sharp pain
In one leg, besides sundry other aches
and bruises. There was darkness
everywhere. Upon his uptuFned face
the rain was sitting.
Where are YOU, pa2' exclaimed Rob. /
tn anxious, terrified tones. Did you get /
hurt?'
Seems like my leg must be broke!"
groaned Job. But mebbe IT, only twist.
ed. told the superintendent last month I
that blamed shoulder of blum would be
down on us sooner or later"
Is this you, pa2" inquired Rob. who
was close beside his crippled parent
now. 4 just know you're hurt. for |
heard you groan.'
I'm here, child; but If you can pun
some Of this trash away | will manage
somehow. The tracks must be kivered
up for a good piece. Hits a landslide.
and bad one, too. fear"
Well, pa, said Rob. who was fran
.ically Juggling at the house boards and
other litter piled confusedly over the
table, "let met get you out first. Then
we will see"
There, boy; you've done enough. |
can crawl out now. | reckon. There's
the No. 4 express. SHE'S due over at
Loudon at l1:15. | noticed the clock
just afore the slide came, and It was
nearly 1890"
Can't we signal?" asked Rob.
I'm afraid not know the lanterns
must be broke We can never find them
in the dark under all this ruin. Do you
know where the matches We're? Ihain't
got one about me -
But no matches could be found:
neither we're the lanterns to be had.
Both were doubtless buried under tons
II earth and the wreck of the house. II
seemed like a miracle that either father
Or son had escaped death
"Lordy mel" groaned Job. Hits an
awful sitiyation for me and you to be in. .
He had with Rob's assistance pulled
himself from under the table. but he
could not wal
I'm all crippled up" he faltered. Il
don't see no way but for you TO go your
self. Rob"
Where to, pa?"
over to Loudon. Some one IS rot
% get there to let them know. Didn't
tell you the express is nearly due?
She mustn't run into this here bank of
earth while me or you can crawl"
But the trestle. HtH have TO be
'rossed. and no lantern"
You must feel your way. Rob" said
he father. as If the boy already IN
ierstood the peril and the stern neces-
5ity OF the task ahead. God forpiVeI
ne for sending you, Rob-it's a cruel
ask; but there's no other way to stop
hat train, being we are the only house
his side the trestle within a mile"
Rob hesitated but for an instant
Would it be right for him to leave his
injured father thus, even to secure the
iafety Of others? But Job decided the
natter at once.
Rob. said he, you amt hardly gotl /.
more than time TO make it TO Loudonl
ifore she'll be due. If you don't put
,ut right straight I'm have to whipl t.
re when ] get about again"
I'm going, pa