Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-06-26


grooming, cracking noise, and she
thought she felt the house move.
Without waking William, she
sprang out upon the floor and ran to-
ward the fireplace. AS she reached
1t her feet splashed in water. Quick
as light the thought came, "The river
is up She CROPPED for a candle,
touched it to q coal and had light.
A quick glance told her what was
the matter The hear --.>d sunk sew
eral inches below the floor of the
room. Up through the crevices came
the water
Raising the window curtain, Sally
gazed out. The house was surround
ed by water The waves were wash
ing up against it and over the door,
step. AS far as her eyes could see
was water, only water, with trees
standing In it.
Running to the bed, she shook Will.
Get up, Will, get up! The river is
all around the house." The boy sat
up, rubbed his eyes, and then sank
back again. "Get up, VIII, do get up!
Don't you hear? The river Is COM
ing into the housed"
Will comprehended at last, and
while putting on his clothes, ran to
the window.
What are we to do?" he asked. "If
father were only here!"
1--WE must go to the loft and walt
until father comes" she answered.
Taking the baby in her arms, she
climbed the stairway and laid 1t on
her bed. Then they carried to the loft
all the articles they could move. not
forgetting some bread and crock OF
milk for the baby. They then took
refuge there themselves.
Wrapped in comforters, they held
each other close, not daring to go to
bed. They crouched near one Of the
windows. 1t was not a dark night,
and they. could see that the water
spread over the meadows almost to
the hills.
The little wooden clock on the man
tel shelf below struck two. Soon aft
er there was a great noise, as Of
something tearing away-a Earring and
a jerking. The house swayed to and
fro and went down one side and up
the other The children covered up
their heads and chung closer to each
other.
A moment more and all was quiet
again. Presently Sally stood up and
said, 1--WE are moving, Will; the house
is moving!"
She ran to the front window and
looked out. They were afloat on the
Des Moines.
Will saw the terror In Sally's face.
Clinging close to her, he said softly.
Don't cry, Sally! God will help u.s.
Somewhat herself again, Sally took
the baby up and fed 1T. ! Then she
crept to the window again with Will.
ut will soon be morning. he said.
"Then the people will see us and
come to take us away" was her re-
ply.
The clock had struck four. Dark
objects went swiftly by them. Every
little while the house would dip and
rock, as log or tree struck 1t.
Five o'clock struck, and then SIX.
They began to see objects distinctly In
the dawning light.
See" cried VIII, there is coop
full of chickens!"
"There is dog house turned upside
down and the poor dog is clinging to
the outside with his paws. He Is
chained to 1t"
"Oh," Some large object had
struck the house and the children
were thrown upon the floor.
With the light, all Sally's energy
came back to her. Taking the sheets
off the bed, she fastened them to a
couple of Stats which she nailed to the
window sill. This was what she had
seen people do on the river bank
when they wished steamboat to
stop.
An hour passed. Sally was almost
frantic. She had seen people making
signals to them. but none came to
help.
1--WE are coming to a town. This
must be Ottumwa- See the houses!
Sally leaned out the window, shrek
ing for aid.
"Put the baby down, VIII, and come
and wave" she said. VIII obeyed.
"They see us! Why don't they helI
us, 1t is Ottumwa. See the boats!
People saw and shouted to them, bu:
seemed to have no power to reach
them. The children increased thsil
exertions, encouraged by the knowl
edge that they were seen. Sally
brought the baby from the bed ant
held 1t up.
Presently large boat came towards
them. Slowly and steadily 1t moved II
and out, avoiding the driftwood float
ing by. A few lengths and 1t would
be beside the house.
Just then a huge saw log wa:
struck by something and dashed int
the side Of the dwelling. A shrek was
given by the lookers-on as the chill
dren disappeared. By few cleve
strokes the boat gained the side of thu
ruin. One of the crew climbed to thu
window where the children had agail
appeared, and lifted them out. A mo
ment more and the house fell over OF
It's side:
"I thought God would take care o
u.s." whispered Will to Sally"
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