Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-08-24
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST "a. 1918

board. Men were shouting for ropes and
boats, to stop the steamer cries Of "a child
overheard p awho can swim ~ and thou
sand other cries aud questionings but a
bore all, were the poor mothers heartrend-
ing shrieks, too painfully ii earnest now
aud she alone, in me fond instructive de
yotion Of maternal love, that even should
she reach her child she could only sink
with her, endeayoring To leap into the wa
Ter to save her
Suddenly Lion, followed closely By his
master, came tearing along the deck, knock
ing the people right and - Ike binepins.
Tkey sprnng into thAA 5Iat hung ii
the stern, every body giving way before
the determined energy Of both man aud
dog. Lion looked anxiously in his mas
ter's face, and uttered sharp low bark.
aWait, said the latter in reply '.where
was she seen last ~
There, SIR replied a sailor promptly
''there, beside that piece'ef plank"
aHow often has she risen ~
aTwice.n
The gentleman drew along breath, and
said to his dog in low tone, look outp'
And Lion did look out, with wild, fash
ling eyes, and limbs that trembled with
anxiety. What d moment that was -
Every one else was passive every other
attempt was laid aside, and all stood in
mute expectation; those who were near
enough Watching the third rising of the
poor child, and those who could not see
the water keeping their eyes fixed upon
Lion. In another instant cry was rails
ed as golden-tresscd head was seen to
emerge from the water The noble dog
had seen her first though, and ere the
warning cry had reached his cars, he had
dashed from the boat with wonderful ra-
pidity and was swimming towards the lit
tie sufferer as though he knew that life
and death depended on his efforts.
His master marked his progress anx-
iously. His face was pale as death, and
it was only by rigidly COMPRISING them
that he could control the nervous culver
ing Of his lips. " He has her p he OK
claimed as Lion rose to the surface after
a long dive, holding the little Adeline by
the hair Of the head in such manner that
her face was out of water s.He has her,
and she is saved n Down went the steps,
and on them couple Of active sailors, en-
eouraging the brave dog by shouts and gcs-
lures, and ready to receive his precious
burden when he should approach Them
Slowly, he came on, wistfully cycling the
steps, and now and then lopking up at his
master, who was leaning o sr the side en-
couraging him with his wdl-known voice
Here you are Y cried q 4 sailors, sciz-
iag lie Ettt girl She " /; handed from
one to another, and at last deposited in the
arms Of an active lookikg gentleman,
whom every one seemed lstipctiyely to
rscegnize as surgeon, andy him carried
below.
snow, come up, there's brave fellow r
said the sailor, retreating to make way for
Lion to climb up the steps. But the poor
creature whined piteously, and after one
or two fruitless attempts to raise. himself
out of the water, he remained quite pas
siye
"Help him-help him Heis exhaust
ed r cried his master, fighting his way
through the crowd, to go tothe rescue Of.
his favorite. BY the time, however, he had
reached the top of the ladder the sailors
had perceived the condition Of the dog,
and with some difficulty dragged him from
the water With their assistance he crawl
ed feebly up; and licked his masters
hand, and stretched himself on the deck.
1t would be difficult to tell which re-
ceiyed the most attention-the little girl
under the hand of the surgeon and all the
women, who had squeezed themselves in
the cabin under the firm conviction that
they were exceedingly useful, -or the no
Bile dog from the kind though rough atten-
tions of the steamers men, under the SUI
Of his master
Both the invalids were convalescent
and Lion was sitting up, receiving with
quiet dignity the caresses of his friends,
when Adeline's mother came running up
stairs; and throwing herself upon her
knees before him, andSlasping him aifec-
tionately in her arms, laid her cheeks up
on his rough head and wept
aHe's dirty animal, madam said the
gentleman, who could not forget her form
er sighting remarks aHe'n make your
pelise in such state Besides, he may
be mad r.
She cast up her eye with an expression
of meek reproach They we're very fine
eyes, and think he felt ii, for his features
sOftened Immediately.
Aoh. pray, pray, ghel1ah to me y she
began.
''Give Lion to YoU,n he exclaimed in de-
rision ~Why, what would you do with
him : / will tell you You'd pet and
the poor beast till he was eaten up
with disease, and as nervous as fine lady.
No, no you'd better give little Adelinel
to me. Lion and l could take much better
care Of her than you cam
perhaps so, sir" she replied, with the
gentle manner that had come over her
since the accident but still could not
spare her,. She Is my only child, and / >
widow"
Il must 60" nuttered the gentleman To-
himself AWhewl Has not the immor-
tai WELLEn assured us that one widow IS
equal to twenty-five ordinary women ~
It's not safc- morally safe-to Be in the
same boat with herr
He walked away But Who can wresile
against f>iel When the boat returned to
London Bridge, / saw him carrying AIDE
line ashore, With the pretty widow leaning
on bis arm They hada long conversation
on the way and when be had put them
-. !. ~ fhov had ~nnfhor cI1rf fIror,.-I,