Year: 1874

the water was filling the room below,
and they could not leave without as
sistance.


Suddenly there was loud crashing
noise. The Schuylkill burst its strong
fetters Of ice, and rushed and roared
and spread itself like an angry sea
over the meadows beyond Stephie's
house. The frail tenement rocked to
its centre in the shock, and the terri
fed couple rushed to the window and
screamed loudly tor assistance.


Alas what human could reach
them? Who could think of trusting
himself in that fierce torrent among
those fearful blocks of ice?


Speedily their COW and pig were
carried away, and unless the rain
qbated they must soon follow them in
evitably. Already among the cakes
of ice they could discern animals, trees
and cabins footing down in the gath
ering darkness. Already the flood
was over their chamber floor, and 1T
was heart-rending TO hear their agoniz-
ing cries over the din and roar of the
terrible waters. Who could bear to
see them swpet away without an at
tempt at succOr?


Poor old people! They were too
good, too unoffending, and too much
respected not to have the heartfelt
sympathy and commiseration of the
little band of men and women collect
cd on bluff on the opposite shore,
trying to contrive what could be done
for their rescue.


In their eagerness to do something
boat was procured, and ropes but
where was the man who would peril
his life in that raging flood? or where
was the wife or mother that could let
husband or son go to almost certain
destruction? 1t was not to be thought
of, and all were standing uncertain
what to do, whilst the torturing cries
of "Old Stcphie" and his wife made
themselves heard distinctly above the
roaring of the river, when up came
the proprietor of the public works of
the village.


All instinctively turned to him, for
llt WAS " lnlh anu ~ SNh-
erous one. He could not hear the
cries of old Stephie unmoved- but
what was to be done? He could not
make the attempt himself, for there
was a delicate wife aud five fair chill
dren in his handsome home, to whom
he was all in all.


Standing in their midst, he made a
short hut moving speech in behalf of
the old ferrvman and his wife, and
concluded by offering a purse Of a
hundred dollars to the man who should
succeed in rescuing them.


This was a tempting sum to these
poor factory people, most of whom
were TO use the expressive language of
common parlance, "irom hand to
mouth" in their way of living.


There was silence for a moment or
two, save the sullen roar of the river,
and the screams Of its victims, during
which one or two Of the men seemed
irresolute, almost willing to go, when
the womanly touch or whisper, that
could not give them up restrained
them.


At this juncture a messenger came
running almost breathless, from "The
Locks" mile above, to say that the
bridge near there had been swept away,
and was now coming down the river,
taking everything in its way. Poor
old couple, all gave them up now as
lost, when at this critical moment, a
stranger of fine figure, erect and tall,
emerged from the midst of the little
band, gave few quiet but imperative
orders, and springing into the ready
boat, rowed away in amongst the
blocks of ice with an energy and
strength that seemed almost superbu-
man.


There had been lighted pine torches
affixed to the prov and stern of the
boat, and the dark, athletic form OF
the stranger could be seen distinctly,
now rowing desperately, now spring
ing out on huge blocks Of ice, and
pushing or pulling the boat, now
borne down the stream in spite Of ev'
cry Effort for time, then rallying
turning and pushing shoreward again
like one sustained by miraculous pow
er, until the little boat shot under the
window of old Stephie's house,


During that perilous passage, there
was not heart on shore that had not
prayed for the safety of the daring
stranger, and excitement grew intense
almost to agony, as the little boat with
its added burden was seen buheting
the waters again. The rain which had
ceased for awhile, now poured down
in torrents. The torches of the boa
we're soon extinguished, and nothing
could be heard but the rain, and the
roaring of the ice. Unmindful Of the
| rim and in hreaihless eXnecIatlon