A Woman Rice Planter

by Elizabeth W. Allston Pringle

Four large pine trees have fallen in front of the house, and it shakes every now and then as though it must fall. Minty is terrified, but Chloe stands firm, trying to quiet Minty's fright. I sought out a sheltered corner of the piazza and told her to take her work-basket and go on with her darning, as I know occupation is a great soother to the nerves; she seemed much calmer and I went in to follow my own prescription and write, when she came rushing in crying aloud, the immense Water Oak just at the north of the house had fallen, and taken off the corner of the shed. Most fortunately the wind was west of north; the whole house would have been crushed if it had been due north. Even Chloe seemed a little upset at this, so I called them into the sitting room and standing I read the 93d Psalm and then we knelt for a short but earnest prayer and then I said, "Now that we have put ourselves into God's keeping, we need have no fear." The effect was wonderful; Minty did not give way to her terror any more.

2 p.m.

Standing in the piazza it is a strange sight; huge pines falling on all sides; the roar of the wind is so great that one does not hear the falling of the trees. Many are snapped off halfway up as though they were splinters, while others are rooted up, the huge mass of roots standing up ten feet in the air.

The wind is moving round slowly from N.W. to N.E.; if it gets due east blowing at its present rate this house must fall; for there are two defective sills and four blocks, and if the wind ever gets under the huge shed of the piazza to the east and south, it would lift the whole house from the underpinnings. I have told Chloe she must boil some rice on the kerosene heater in the dining room, as it would be dangerous to attempt a fire in the kitchen, and every one is exhausted. If we are to have the house fall over us it is better to be in condition to stand it. Chloe is most reluctant to obey me, she seems to think it will be a disrespect somehow to the storm, but we do not know how long it may last, so I insisted.

Rab has just come in, the wind having lulled a little. I have been very anxious about him as I sent him before the wind became so terrible to Miss Penelope's to get some groceries and ask for a receipt for pepper pickle. He tells me Miss Penelope's house has been destroyed and the ladies had all run out into the storm just escaping with their lives from the falling bricks and rafters. My impulse was to go at once and bring them up here to stay with me; so I started out, and climbed over the great pine which had fallen across the road inside the gate; and when I got on to the public road I found a solid barricade of huge pines across it as far as I could see. I climbed over ten and then felt so exhausted that I knew it would be folly to go on. When I got back Chloe brought me some deliciously cooked rice and a smoked herring, and it seemed to me the nicest thing in the world, though it was a strange thing for her to choose. I suppose she had overheard me talking to some one of the government experiments as to the strength of the different foods, and how they had found salt fish a most nutritious and strength-giving diet; it certainly proved its stimulating qualities on this occasion.

I felt quite refreshed and, as Rab said he could show me a way to go around the trees, I started out again, this time under his guidance. After much climbing I got into the W's yard; the number of prostrate trees was amazing and such beauties. As I passed the Rily house I saw it was a complete ruin; a part of the roof had been blown away about 300 yards.

I found the W's in a little one room cottage which fortunately was on the lot; they were soaking wet, but were so happy to be alive and together that nothing seemed to depress them, though the house is a complete wreck and in such a tottering condition that nothing can be got out. I begged them to come home with me, but they said it was impossible for them to leave, and by the time I had climbed over all the barricading trees and got back into my tottering house, I came to the conclusion that they were wise. They were going to sit up all night in the cottage.

Friday, September 19.

I went to bed and slept soundly last night. I find very few people went to bed at all, as the wind continued blowing heavily all night; but this morning it has lulled and there is a drizzling rain and dull gray sky.

I sent Jim to Gregory Saturday to remain there and bring R. up, as he had written me he would be there Monday. So there was no one at Cherokee but Bonaparte and I knew he must be almost frantic there alone, and as I could hear nothing of what had happened there I thought it was my duty to make an effort to get down to the plantation. So I had Rab put the side-saddle on Ruth this morning and started off, taking Rab along on foot; for though he is very small, he is so brave and intelligent that I knew he would be a great help. He was delighted to go and very proud of the position of escort.