KANSAS HOMES. 
51 
would not float it off, there was a rattling of glass below stairs. 
As I reached the lower room, Mr. W. emerged from the other 
one, and asked, “Are you afraid the house will blow over? ” 
Upon my replying, “ 0, no, I am not afraid of anything, 55 he 
seemed satisfied, and as quickly disappeared. 
Concluding, froni this present phase of the matter, I need expect 
no aid from my “ prime minister,” I went out and took down as 
much of the staging as I could — those pieces which were partly 
loose and striking the house. The shower lasted for hours. Al¬ 
though I have been among the Green Mountains when most severe 
showers raged there, and the reverberating roar was incessant, 
I never experienced anything equal in sublimity and grandeur 
to this. 
15^. — The night brought another shower -— if possible, more 
severe than that of last night. All the evening the lightning 
flashed in every direction; but at midnight the thunders sounded, 
and the great drops fell. The grand artillery of heaven could 
hardly be distinguished from the noise of the furious blasts of 
wind and fast-flowing streams, which seem to scorn all old- 
fashioned showers. The shower came from the west, and there 
was nothing to break its force as it beat upon the house in full 
fury. There was a crash below. Hastily as possible I descended 
the stairway against the driving wind and pelting rain, wdiich 
came full upon me the moment I stepped on to the staircase, 
almost taking away my breath. The door had been hung the day 
before; but the slight button which fastened it together w r as like 
a flaxen string before the gale, and the door w T ith great force had 
been driven back against the wall. It was impossible to remove so 
much crockery and glass ware, which, on account of the unfinished 
cupboard, was still standing round, to any secure place; and it 
was but the work of a moment with me to “ haul ” a trunk of the 
largest size, filled with carpets, against the door after closing it. 
The next moment found trunk and me in the middle of the floor, 
and door again wide open. Another effort must be made; and, 
quicker than thought, or any calculations as to strength, the 
trunk was replaced, and a large black-walnut dining-table brought 
up against it. 
