There was scanty space for the load to pass through, and in his anxiety not to foul either of the posts the old Squire, who could not see well because of the overhanging hay, drove a few inches too close to one of them, and a wheel passed over a small stone beside the wheel track.

The jolt was slight, but it proved sufficient to loosen the unstable "podgum." The load had barely cleared the posts when the entire side of it came sliding down--and grandmother Ruth with it! We heard her cry out as she fell, and then all of us who were behind scaled the wall and rushed to her rescue.

The old Squire stopped the horses, jumped from his seat over the off horse's back and was ahead of us all, crying, "Ruth, Ruth!" There was a huge heap of loose hay on the ground, fully ten feet high, but she was nowhere to be seen in it.

Nor did she speak or stir.
"Great Lord, I'm afraid it's killed her!" Elder Witham exclaimed.

Jim and Asa stood horrified, and the girls burst out crying.
The old Squire had turned white.