Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 21 February 1878 — Page 7

PUT

YOURSELF

KIS PLACE.

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it.to the letter. He lighted his lamp, and tried to read book alter book but, of course, he was agitated to fix hi* attention on them. lie got all Grace's litters, and road th« and it wa-» only by a stern effort he kepi still at all.

Tile nigh woie on, and heart-sickness was b-ginni ig to succeed to feverish impatience, wh' tl»**re was a loud knock at the door. Li.tit: ran to it himself, and found Serg-arit of police, who told him in a low voice he brougnt a message from the chief-constable. "I was to tell you it is all right he i» following the party himself. 11c will call on you at, twelve to-mo row morning." "Not before that?" tsa.d Litlie. However, he gave the sargeant a sovereign f.»r good news, and then, taking hi* hat, walked twenty miles out ot Hillsborough, and buck, Icr he knew it Wrt» useless hi« going to bed, or tr^ ing to nettle to anything.

He got back at ten o'clock, washed, breakfasted, and do ed on two chairs, till Ransome carne, with acarpet-b.ig in his hand. "Tell me all about it don't omit anything." Tnis was Little's greeting. '•Well, sir, shj passed the house about nine o'clock, walking quickly: and took just one glance in at your window, but did not st.jp. She came back in half an jur, and stood on the opposite side of tiii wAy, a id then panned on. I hid in court, where she couldn't see me. Bv-and by she comes back, on your aide the way this time, gliding like a cat, and she crouched and v.°ujled round the angle ot the house, and to a good look at you. Then she. went slowly awa^, and I passed her. She was crying bit'erly, poor girl! I never last sight of her, and she led me a dance, 1 can lell you I'll take you to the place but vou had better let me disguise you for I can see she is very timid, and would fly away in a moment if nhe knew she was de ected

Little acqalesed, and Ransome, disguised him in a beard and a loose set of clothes, and a billy, cock hat, and said that would do, as bng as hi kept a prudent distance from the lady eye. Tney then took a cab and drove out of Hillsborough. When they had proceeded about two miles up the valley, Ransome R'» iped ths cab, and directed the driver IO wait for them.

He then walked on, and soon came to a row of houses, in two bocks of four houses each.

Thela^t house of the first block had a a bill in the window, "io be let furnished." •lie then knocked at the door, arjd the woman in charge of the house opened it. 'I am the chief-constable of Hillsboroug is looking lor a furnished he see tiiscn

ough and tlis ii inv friend Mr. Park he looking lor a house. Can

Ransome op :ned I he second-story window, and looked out on the back gar den. "Ah," said he "these houses have nice long gardens in the rear, where onj can walk and be private."

He then nuged Henry, and asked the woman who lived in the first house of the next block—"the house that garden belongs to?' "Why, the bill was in the window the other d^y bat it is ju-.t to OK. She is a kind of a nun, 1 suppose: keeps no servant only a girl comes in anil doe-i for her, and goes home at night. I saw her yesterday, walking the garden there. She seems rather young to be all alone like that but perhaps there's some more of "em coming, l'hey sort o' cattle mostly goes in bands."

Henry asked wh it was the rent of the house. The woman did not know but told him the proprieter lived a few doors off. 'I shall take this house," said Little. "I think you are right," observed Ransome: "it will just answer your purp'ose." They went together, an took the house directly Henry, by advice of Ransome, engaged a woman to come into the house in the morning and go away at dusk. Ransome, also advised him to make arrangements for watching G.aoe's garden unseen. '•That will be a great comfort to you," said he:

know by experience. Above

ai tnings," said this sagacious officer, "don't you let her know she is discovered. Remember this: when she wants you to know she is here, sVie'l be surj let you know. At present she is here on the sly: so if you thwiirt her, she'll b.i off again, as sure as fate."

Little was forced to see the truth of this and promised t.o restrain himself, nard as ths task was.

He took the house and u*ed to let himself into it with a latch key at about ten o'clock every night.

There he n-ed to stay and watch till past noon and nearly every day he was rewarded by seeing the Piotes'.ant nun walk in her garden.

He was restles-8 and inisearble tiil she came out when she appeared his heart bounded and thrilled and when once he had feasted his eyes uoon her, he would go about the vulgar affairs of life pretty contentedly.

By acvice of Ransome, he used to sit in his other honse from seven till nine, and read it the window, to afford his beloved a jay similar to that he stole himseli

And such is the power of true love that these furtive glances soothed their two lives. Little spirits reviyed, Jand some color came back to Grace'6 cheek.

One night there was a house broken in

Thus thev both kept their hearts above water, and Grace visited the sick, and employed her days in charity and then, for a reward, crept, with soft foot, to Henry's window, and devoured him with her eyes, and feed on that book for hours afterwards.

When this had gone on for nearly a month, Lally, who had orders to keep his eye on Mr. Little, happened to come by and see Grace looking in at him.

He watched her at a distance, but had r.ot the intelligence to follow her home: He had no idea it was Grace Carden.

However, in his next letter to his mas ter, him Little always read at night by the window, an i, one night, a kind of nun

:«i»1

pert," said Laily, "she has played the fool with hirn some time or other, before she was a nun."

He was not a little surprised when his master telegraphed in reply that he would be down bv the first train but the fact i«, that Coventry had already called on Mr. Carden, and been told that his wife was in a convent, and he never would see her again. I must adJ that Mr. Carden received him as roughly as he had Little, but the interview terminated difterentlv. Coventry, witn his winning tongue, and penitence and plausibilitv, softened the indignant father, and then, appealing to his good sense, extorted fio.n him the admiH*un that his daughter's only chance cf happiness lay in forgiving m, and allowing hi r. to aton his faults by a long life of humble devotion. But when Coventry, presuming on this, implored to reveal w.sere she wac, the old man stood stanch, and *aid tint was told him und.r a solemn assurance of secrecy, and nothing shot*Id induce him to deceive his daughter. "I will not lose her love and confidence fjr any ot you," said he.

So now Coventry put that word "cjnvent" and this word "nun'' together, and came to Hillsborough full of suspicions

He took lodgings neatly opposite Lit tie's house, arid watched in a dark room so persistently, that, at last, he saw the nun appear, saw her stealthy, cat likeapproaches, her aff cted retreat, her cunning advance, her long lingring look.

A close obsei ver of women, he saw in every movement her supple body that, she was animated l»y love.

He raged and s.ci-.ened with jealousy, and when, at last, she retired, he followed her, with hell in

his

heart, and never lost

sight ofher till she entered her house in the valley. If there had been a house to let in the terrace, he wo ild c.vtainly have taken it hut Little nad anticipated him.

He took a verv humble lodging in the neighborhood and by dint of wutching. he at last saw the nun speaking to a poor woman with her veil up. It revealed to him nothing bui what he knew already. It was the woman he loved, and she hated him the woman who had married him und -r a delus.on, and stabbed him on his bridal day. lie loved her all the more passionately for that.

Until he received Lally's note, he had been content to wait patiently until his rival should lose hope, and carry himself and his affections elsewhere he fe sure that must be the end of it.

But nbw jealousy stung him, wild passion became too strong for reason, and he resolved to play a bold and lawles game to possess his lawful wife. Should it fail, what could they do to him? A man may take his own bv force Not only his passions, but the circumstances tempted him. bhe was actually living alone, in a thinly-peopled district, and close to a road. It was only to cover her head and stifle her cries, and fly with her to gome place prepared beforehand, where she would be brought to submission by kindness of manner combined with firmness of purpose.

Coventry poss« ssed every qualification to carry out such a scheme as this. He was not very couiageou* yet he was not a coward: and no great courage was required Cunning, forethought, mucrupuiousncs4 were the principal things, and these be had to perfection.

He provided a place to keep her it was a shoo.ing-bjx of his own, on a heathery hill, that nobody visited except for shooting, and the season for shooting was past.

He armed niimeif with false certificates of lunacy, to 6how on an emergency, and also a copy of hK marriage certifiacte: he knew unwilling strangers are to interfere between man and wife.

The only great difficuliy was to get resolute men to help him in this act.

He sounded Cole but that worthy objected to it, as bein^j out of his line.

Coventry talked him over, and offered a sum that made him tremble with cupidity. He assented, on one condition— thai he should not be expected to break into the house, nor do any act that could be "construed burglarious." He actually used that phrase, whieh 1 should hardly have expected from him.

Coventry asser.ted to this condition. He undertook to get into the house, and open the door to Cole and his myrmidons he stipulated, however, that Cole should make him a short iron ladder with four sharp prongs. By means *f this he coulo enter Grace's house at a certain t.nguarded part, and then run down and unbar the front door. He had thoroughly reconnoitred the premises and was sure of success.

Fiist one day was appointed for the enterprise, then another, and, at last, it was their luck to settle on a certain night, of which I will only say at present, that it was a night Hillsborough and its suburbs will not soon forget.

Midnight was the hour agreed on. N*w at nine o'clock of this very night the chief constable of Hillsborough was di inking tea with Little scarcely twenty yards from the scene of the proposed ab* auction. Not that either he or Littl* had the least notion of the conspiracy The fact is, Hillsborsugh had lately been deluged with false coin, neatly executed, and passed with great dexerity. The police had received many complaints, but had been unable' to trace it. Lately, however, an old bachelor, living in this suburban valley,. ha* complained to the police that his neighbors kept such enormous fires all night, as to make his wall red-hol and blister his paint

This, and one or two other indications made Ransome suspect the existence of a furnace, and he had got a search-warrant in his pccket, on which, however, he did not think it safe to act till he had watched the suspected house late at night, pnd made certain observations for himself.

to in the row. Instantly Little took the alarm on! So he had invited himaelf to tea with his Grace's account, and bought powder and (Vie,.d Little—for he waasure of a hearty bullets, and a double-barrel rifle, and a welcome at any hour—and, over their revolver and now at the slightest tound he would be out of bed in a moment, readv to defend tier, if necessary.

tea, he now told him his suspicions, and invited him to come and take a look at the suspected house with him.

Little consented. But there was no hurry the later they went io the house in question the better. So they talked of other matters, and the conversation soon fell on that which was far more interesting to Little than the capture of all the coiners in creation. He ask.d Ransome how long he was to go on like this, contenting himself with the mere sight of her. "Why," 6aid Ransome, '"even that has made another man of you. Your eye is' twice as bright as it was a month ago, and your color coming back. That is a wise proverb, 'Let well

who was then in London, he to alone.' I hear she visits the sick, and some of them swear by her. I think I'd give her time to take'root here and

more than flesh and blood could bear. "Well, then," said Ransome "promise me just one thing: tha», if you speak, to her, it shall bs in Hillsborough, and not down here."

Little saw the wisdom of this and consented, but said he was resolved to catch her at his? own window the next time she came.

He was about to give his reasons, but they were in'errupted by a »n and horse clattering up to the door.

That will be for me," said Ransome "I thought I should not get leave to drink mv tea in peace."

He was right a mounted policeman brought hiin a note from the m:i\or, telling him word had come into the town that there was sometuing wron^ with Ouseley dam. He was to take the mayor's horse, and ride up at once to the reservoir and, if there was any danger, to warn the valley. '•This looks serious," said Ransome.

l,I

must wish you good-bye." "Take a piece of advice with jou. I hear that dam is too full if so, don't listen to advice from anybody, but open the sluices of the waste-pipes and relieve the pressure but if you find a flaw in the embankmsnt, don't trifle, blow up the waste weir at once with gunpowder. I wish I had a horse, I'd 4,0 with you By the way. it there is the least danger of that dam bursting, of course you will give me warning in time, and I'll get her out of the house at once "What, you think the water would get as far as this, to do any harm? It is six miles." "It might. Look at the form of the ground it is a regular trough from that dam to Hillsborough My opinion is, it would sweep every thing before it, and flood Hillsborough itself—the lower town. I shall not go to -d old fellow, till you come hack and tell me it is all right."

With this understanding Ransome galloped off. On his way he passed by the house where he suspected coining. The shutters were closed, but his experienced eye detected a bright light behind one of them, and a peculiar smoke from the chimney.

Adding this to his other evidence, he now felt sure the inmatas were coiners, and he felt annoyed. "Fine I look," said he, "walking tamely past criminals at work, and going to a mayor's nest six miles ofT."

However, he touched the horse with his heel, and cantered forward on his errand.

John Raneome rode up to the Ouseley reservoir, and down again, in less than an hour and a half and every incident of those two rides is imprinted on his memsrj for lif*.

He first ciossed the water at Poma bridge. The village of that name lay on his right, towards Hillsborough, and all the lights were out except in the two public houes. One of these, "The Reindeer," was near the Bridge, and from it a ruddy glare shot across the road, and some boon companions were singing, in very good harmony, a trite Scotch choru6. "Weare no thatfou, we aronn that fou,

But jua utlrapplo in our TIMS cock may craw, tbeiiay may claw, But Mill we'll taswO tne bariey breo." Ransome could hear the very words he listened, laughed, and then rode up the valley till he got opposite a crinoline-wire factory called the "Kildare Wheel.1' Here he observed a sir.gle candle burning a watcher, no doubt.

The next place he saw was also on the otner side the stream Dolman's farmhouse, the prettiest residence in the valley. It was built of stone, and beautifully situated on a promontory between two streams. It had a lawn in front, which went down to tne very edge of the water, and was much admired for its close turf and flowers. The farm buildings lay behind the house.

There was no light whatever in Dolman's but they were early people. The house and lawn slept peacefully in tne night: the windows were now shining, now dark, for small fleecy clouds kept drifting at short intervals across the crescent moon.

Ransome pushed on across the open ground, and for a mile or two saw tew signs of life, except here and there a flickering light in some water-wheel lor now one picturesque dam and wheel succeeded another as rapidly as nature permitted and indeed the size of these dams, now shining in thefi'ful moonlight, seemed remarkable, compared with the mere thread of water which fed them, and connected them together for miles like pearls on a silver string.

Ranto.ne pushed rapidly on, up hill and down dale, till he reached the high hill, at whose foot lay the hamlet of Damflask, distant two miles from Ouseley reservoir.

He Io ked down and saw a few lights in this hamlet, some stationary, but two moving "Hjun," thought Ransome, "they don't seem to be quite so easy in their minds up here."

He dashed into the place, and diew up at a house where keveral persons were collected.

As he came up, a singular group issued forth a man with a pig-wbip, driving four children—the eldest not above seven years old—and carrying an infant in his arms. The little itnps were clad in shoes, night-gowns, night-caps, and a blanktt apiece, and were shivering and whining at being turned out of bed into the night air.

Ransome asked the man what was the matter. One of the by-standers laughed, and said, satirically, Ouseley dam was to burst that night, so all the pigs and children wer

making for the hill.

The man himself, whose name was lo'eph Galton, explained moie fully. Sir," 6aid he, "mv wife is groaning and am bound to obey her. She had a dream last night she was in a flood, and had 10 cross a plank or summut. I quieted her till supper but then the landlord came round and warned us all of a crack or summut up at the dam. Ana so now I am taking this little job up to my brother's. It'8 the foolisheet job I ever done: but needs mutt when the devil drives, and it is better so than to have my old gal sour her milk, and pine her suckling, and maybe fret herself to death into the bargain."

Ransome ssized on the information, and rode on directly to the village inn. He called the landlord out, and asked him what he had been telling the villagers. Was there any thing seriously amiss up at the reservoir? "Nay, I hops not," said the man "but we got a bit of a (right this afternoon. A young man rode through, going down to Hillsborough, and stopped here to have his girth me

'*•£,* *-=«», 1* -.* "-', 'i(, "h- ...",., »r '. M' -&»,!.,.*} 1

THE TERRE HAUTE WEEKLY GAZETTE

i&SSH

Ransime thanked him for his intorma tion and pushed on to Lower Hatfield: there he found lights in thu houses and the inhabitants astir but he passed through tiie village in silenc ai.d came to the great corn-mill, a massive stone structure with granite pillars, the pride of the place. The building was full of lights, and the cranes were all at work hoisting the sacks of flour from t'ie lower floors to the top utorv. The laces of the men reflected in the flaring gas, and the black cranes with their gaunt arms, and the dark bodies rising by the snake like cords, formed a curious picture in the fluctuating moonlight, and an interesting one too: for ii showed the miller did not feel his flour qu te safe.

The next plac» Ransom' came to was Fox Farm Farmer E mL*n was standing at the door of his house, and, in reply to Ransome, told him he ha just come do.vn from the reservoir. He had seen thf crack and believed it to be a mere fro tcrack. 1 Ie apprehsnded no danger, an.4 had sent hi.s people to bed however, he should sit up an hour two iust to hear wh a Tucker the engineer had to say about it he hid been sent for

Ransome left him, and a smart canter brough him in sight of what seemed a long black hill, with ereal glow-worms dotted here and theie.

That hill was the embankment, and the glow-worms were 'he lanterns of the workmen examining the outer side of the enbankment and prying into every part.

The enormous size and double slope of ink, its app irant similiarity in form and thickness to those natuial barriers with which i.ature hems in lakes of large dimensions, acted on Ra ^s me's senses, and set him wondering at the timidity and credulity of the people in Hatfield and in Damflask. This sentiment was uppermost in his mind when he rode up to the south side of the embankment,

He gave his horse to a boy, and got upon the embankment and looked north. The first glance at the water somewhat shook that impression of absolute security the outer side of the barrier had given him.

In nature a lake lies at the knee* of the restraining hills, or else has a sufficient outlet.

But here was a lake nearly full to the brim on one side of the hairier and an open descent on the othtr.

He had encountered a little wind coming up but not much here, however, the place being entirely exposed, the wind was powerful and blew right down the valley, ruffling the artificial lake.

Altogether it was a solemn scene, and, even at first glance, one that could not be surveyed, after all those comments and reports, without some awe and anxiety. Tne surface of the lake shone like a mirror, and waves of some size dashed against the embankment with a louder roar than one would have thought possible, and tossed some spray clean over all while, overhead, ilouds, les fleecy now, and more dark and su len, dr Ked so swiftly across the crescent moon tnat she seOmetj flying across the sky.

Having now realized that the embankment, huge as it was, was not so high by several hundred feet as nature builds in parallel cases, and that, besides th^ natural pressure of the whole water, the upper surface of the lake was being driven bv the wind against the upper or thin part of the embankment, Ransome turned and went down the embankment to look at the cr ick and hear opinions.

There were several workmen, an intelligenjt farmer called Ives, aid Mr. Mountain, one of the contractors wlo had built the dam, all examining the crack.

Mr. Mountain wa« remarking that the crack was perfectly dry, a plain proof there was no danger. "Ay, but," said Ives, "it has got larger nee tea time see, 1 can get my hand in now.' "Can you account for that?" asked Kansome of the contractor.

Mountain said it was caused by the embankment settli.ig. "Everything settles down a little—houses and embankments an,d all. There's no danger, Mr. Ransonse believe me." "Well, sir," said Ransome, "I am not a man of tcience. but I have got eyes, and see the water is very high, and driving against your weak part. Ah!" Then he remembered Little's advice. "Would you mind opening the sluice-pipes?" "Not in the least, but I think it is the engineer's business to give an order of that kind." "But he is n6t here, and Drofessional etiquette must give way where property and lives, perhaps, are at stake. 1 tell you the truth, Mr. Mountain, I have got the advice of an abler man than Mr. Tucker. His word to me wa*. 'if the water is as high as they say, don't waste time, but open the sluices at once and relieve the dam.'

The workmen, who had scarcely said a word till then, raised an assenting murmur at the voice of common sense,

Mountain admitted it could do no harm, and gave an order accordingly screws were applied and the valves of the double set of sluice-pipes were forced open, but with infinite difficulty, owing to the tremendous pressure of the water.

This operation showed all conterned what a giant they were dealing with: while the sluices were being lifted, the noise and tremor of the pipes were beyond experience and conception. When, after vast efforts, they were at last got open, the ground trembled violently, and the water, as it rushed out of the pipes, roared like discharges of artillery. So hard is it to resist the mere effect ot the senses, that nearly every body ran back

"*r

#&»•*****

had found a crack the embankment, were opened, the dam was safe, provided and sentthim down to Hillsborough to I it could last a day or twotell Mr. Tucker, the engineer. Bless' your heart, we should never have known aught about it it his girth hadn't broke." He added, as a reason fr thinking it was not serious, that Mr. Tucker had himself inspected the dam just before tea-time, and hadn't even seen the crack. It was a laboring man who had discover* I it, through crossing the embankment lower d)wn ilian usual. "But you 9ie, sjr," said he, in conclusion, "we lii very low here, and right in the track and so we mustn't make, light of awarning. And, of course, mauv of the workmen sto, her and have their say and, to ll yo'u the truth, one or two of them have always •nis'iked the foundation that embankment is built on too manv old landslips to be se»'n about. But, after all, I suppose they can empty the dam, if need be and, cf course, they wil', if there is any dinger. I exp-ct Mr. Tucker up every minute."

Lights were seen approaching, and Mr. Tucker, the resident engineer, drove up he had Mr. Carter, one of the contractors, in the gig with him.

He came on the embankment, iand signified a col|. approval of the sluice* being opened.

Then Ransoms soundel him about blowing up ihe waste-weir. Tucker did not reply, but put some questions to a workman or two. Their answers showed that they considered the enlargement ot the crack a fatal sign.

Upon this Mr. Tucker ordered them all tj stand clear of the suspected part. •'Now, then," *aid he, "I built this embankment, and I'll tell you whet'ier it is going to burst or not."

Then he took a lantern, and was going to inspect thecrack himself but Mr .Car ter, respecting his courag and coolnes«, would accompany him. They went to the crack, examined it carefullv with their lanterns, and crossed over "to .the waste-wcir: no water was running into it in the ordinary way, which showed the dam was not full to ils ut..iost capacity.

They returned, and consulted with Mountain. Ransoms put in his word, and once •.iiore remembering Little's advice, begged them to blow up the waste-weir.

Tucker thought that was a stronger measure than the occasion required there was no immediate danger, and the sluice-pipes would lower the water considerably in twenty four hours.

Farmer Ives out in his word. "I can't learn from any of you thatao enlarging crack in a new embankment is a common thing. I shall go home, but my boots won't come off this night."

Encouraged by thu, Mr. untain, the contractor, spoke out. "Mr. Tucker," said he, "don't deceive yourself theslu'c»-pipes are loo slow if we do.i't relieve the dam, tnerd'll be a blow-up in hilf an hour mark my wo ds.'

Well," sai 1 •. Tuc'e "n 1 precaution has been neglected in building thi^ dam provision has been made even tor blowing up the waste-weir a hole has been built in the masonary, and there's dry powder kept at the valve-house. 1,11 blow up the waste-weir, though I think it is needless. I am convinced that crack is above the level of the water in the reservoir."

Thi observation struck Ransome, and he asked it it could not be ascertained by measurement. "Of course it can," said Tucker, "and I'll measure it as I come hack."

They ciossed the embankment, and got to the weir.

I\ es went home, and the workmen withdrew to the side, not knowing exictly what might be the effect of the explosion

By and-by Ransome loked up, and observed a thin sheet of water beginning to stream over the center cf the embankment, and trickle down: the quantity was nothing: but it alarmed him. Having no special knowledge on theSi matters, he was driven to comparisons and ii flashed across him that, when he was a boy, and u.td to make little mud-dams in April, they would resist the tiny slieam until it trickled over them, and f.om that moment their fate was sealed. Nature, he had observed, operates alike in small things and great, and that eheetof wuter, though thin as wafer, alarmed him.

He thought it was better to give a false warning than withhold a true one: he ran to his horse, jumped on him, and spurred away.

His horse was fast and powerful, and car.ied him in three minutes back to Emden'* farms. The farmer had n» to bed. Ranome knocked him up, and told him he feared the dam was go.ug then galloped onto Hatfield Mill. Here he found tne miller and his familv. all gathered out ide, ready for a start one workman had tun down from the reser-

v°ir-

1fciJKi,arjfc, 4

"The embankment is not safe."' "So I hear. 111 take rare of my flour and mv t'oU. The mill will take care ot nerself." And he pointed with pride to the solid stiuclure and granite pillars.

Ransome galloped on, shouting as he went. The shout was taken up ahead, and he heard a voi :e crying in the night, "IT'S COMING! IT'S COMING!" Ihis weird cry, which, perhaps, hid own galloping and shouiing had excited, seemed iike an independent warning, and thrilled him to the bone. He galloped through Hat field, shouting "Save yourselves! Save yourselves I" and the people poured out, and ran for high ground, shrieking wildly looking back, he saw the hill dotted with what he took for sheep at first, but it was the folks in their night-cloth

1*.

He galloped on to Damflask, still sheuting us he went. At the edge ot the hamlet, he found a cottage with no light in he dismounted and thundred at th door. "Escape for your live*! fjr your lives!"

A man called Hillsbro' Harry opened thi window. "The embankment is goin,-. Fly for your lives!" "Nay," said the man coolly, "Ouseley dam burst noane this week," and turned to got bed again.

He found Joseph Galton and another man carrying Mrs Gallon and her newborn child away in a blanket. This poor woman, who had sent her five children away on the faith of a dream, was now objecting, in a faint voice, to be «aved herself from evident danger.

uOh

dear,

dear! you might as well let me go down with the flood as kill me with taking me away."

Such was the sapient discourse of Mrs. Gallon, who, half an hour ago, had been supernatural!/ wise and prudent. Go to, wise mother and silly woman: men will love thee none the less for inequalities of thine intellect and honest Joe will save thy life, and head not thy twaddle on more than the bleating of a lamb.

Kansome had not leit the Gallons mar.y yards behind him, when there was a sharp explosion heard up in the hills.

Ransome pulled up and said aloud, "It will be all righ*. now, thank goodness! thev have blown up the weir."

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when he heard a loud sullen roar, speedily followed by a tremendous hiss, and a rumbling thunder, 1 hat shook the very earth where he stood, two miles distant.

This is what had taken place since'he left the reservoir, but ten minutes ago: Mr. Tucker and Mr. Ciiter laid the gunpowder and the train, and lighted the latttr. and came back across the middle of the embankment.

Being quite naie here from the effect of the,explosion, Mr. Tucker wa» desirous

At this very time water was trickling over and that alarmed Carter, and he told Tucker they were trifling with their own lives.

Oh. siid Tucker, "that i^ only the spray from the waves." They actually measured the crack, stooping over it with th ir lanterns

When they had done that, Carter raided his head, and suddenly olutched Tucker by the arm and pointed upward. The water was Douring over the top, still in a thin sheet, Uut then that sheet was gradually widening. The water came down to their feet, and some of it disappeared in the crack and the crack itself looked a little gravely, "I don't like that: but let me examine the valvehouse at once." He got down to the valve-house, but before he could ascertain what quantity ot water was escaping, Carter called to him, "Come. out, for God'dSi.ke, or you are lost!"

The moment Tucker saw that, he cried. "It's all up, the embankment must go!'' And, the feeling of the architect overpoweiing ihe instincts of the man, he stood aghast. But Carter laij hold of hitn, and dragged him away.

Then he came to hims l£ and they rjn across the embankment.As they started, the po.vdtr. which had hung fire unaccountably, went off, and blew up the waste-weir: but they scarcely heard it for, as they ran, the rent above kept enlarging and* deepening at a fearful rate, and the furious streamTtcpt rushing past their flying heels, and throa'ened to sweep them sideways to destruction.

They were safe at last but rven as they stood panting, the rent in the top ot the embankment spread—deepened— yawned terrifically—and the pent-up lake plunged through, and sweeping away at ooc.» the centre of the embankment, lushed, roaring and hissing, down the valley, an avalanche of water, whirling great t-ees up by the room, ami sweep ing huge ro.ki nvay, and driving them, like cocks, for mile"'.

At that appa'ling sound, that his«ing thunder, the like of which he had never heard before, and hoped never to heatagain, Ransome spurred away at all his speed, and warned the rest of the village with loud inar iculate cries: he could not wait to speak, nor was it necessary.

At the top of the hill he turned a moment, and looked up the valley soon he saw a lofly white wall running down on Hatfield Mill: it struck the mill, and left nothing visible but the roof, surrounded by white foam.

Another moment, and h! distinctly saw the mill swim a yard or two, then disappear and leave no trace, and on came the white wall, hissing and thundering.

Ransome uttered a cry of horror, and galliped madly forward, to save what lives he might.

Whenever he passed a ho i»3 he shrieked hi» warning, but 11 never drew rein.

A?, he galloped along his mind worked. He observed the valley widen In placet*, and he hoped the flying lake would spread, and so lose some of that tremendous volume and force before which he had se^n Hatfield stone mill go down.

With this hope he gal'oped on, and reacned I'oma Bridge, five miles and half frbm the reservoir.

Here, to his dismay, he heard the hissing thunder sound as near to him as it was when he hal'ed on the hill above Damflask: but he could see nothing, o»ving to a turn in the valley.

At the bridge itself he found a man standing without his hat, staring wildlv up the valley.

He yelleti to this man, "Dam is burst. Warn the village—for their lives—run on to Hi lsborougn—when your winded,send another on. You'll all be paid at »he Town Hall."

Then he dashed across the bridge. As he crossed it, he caught sight of the flying lake once more* he had gone over more ground, but he had gone no farther. He saw the white wall strike Dolman's farm there was a light in one window now. He saw the farm house, with its one light, swim bodily, then melt and disappear, with all the poor souls in it.

He galloped on: his hat flew off: he came under the coiners' hou e, and yelled a warning. A window was openrd, and a man looked out the light was behind him, and, even in that terrible moment, he recogniz.-d—Shiftv Dick. "The flood! the flood! Flv! Get 0:1 high ground, for your lives!"

He galloped furiously, and made for Little's house. ITOBRCONT IV D.

COMMISSIONER'S SALE. Notice is hereby given that the under signed commissioner appointed bv the Vigo Circuit Court, in the case of John Gibson and Ira Gibson, M. Gibson, against Dilia Gibson, James Gibson, Melissa E b*on, Phiba J. Gibson, Anna Gibson, Albert Gibson Sarah Gibson, Olley Gibson and Charles Gibson, in an action for partition, pursuant to order of court will on Saturday, March 9th, 1878, at the town-of Cloverland, in Clay County Indiana, offer for sale at public auction, the following described real estate to-wit:

The south-east quarter of the southwest quarter of section 31, township 13, range 7 west in Vigo County Indiana, and the east-half of the north-west quarter of section 6, township 12, range 7, wf«t in Clay County,. Indiana. Sale to commence at 10 o'clock A. M. of said day.

TERM S—One-third cash, one-third 9 mon:hs and one- third in t8 months from date of sale. The purchaser giving notes for defered payment, bearing 0 per cent, interest waving valuation and appraisement laws with approved security.

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With this view he took out a measure, and, at some risk of being swept into eternity, began coolly to measure the crack downwards.

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He came running out, and saw an opening thirty feet wide and nearly a foot deep, and a powerful stream rushing over it.

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118

JOHN M. LUCAS, Commissioner.

Dumn5gai^^^umsonj\ttv^^^^^^^^

AC fn Ayenift wanted for new W** W business, in which any active Han or WOman can easily make to |M A*fa day. Onewh. bad never can••••V vassed before,made I7JM in one hoar an experienced agent :»ade 972,79 in Hftees hor.rs. Particulars free. U. A. LKOG,

Manager, 60 Doane sti mst, JNew York "We Enow C. A CLKUG to be reliahis 4 V: ani* lb ink be offers Agvnt Ax*-

M. trd#rdinary indauemen

SURE

—New fork Weekly

£. If. Freshman & Bro*.,

ADVERTISING AGENTS.

188 W. Fourth St, CINCINNATI, 0. Are authorised to recerve »d*erii$eni§nt*