Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-05-15
2 pAYElTEVILLE, TENN: THURSDAY, MAY Is, 1856.

Future strangers will thank me lo
| it,
The next morning the stout gen
tleman was about to mount his horse
when man came up to him and Ell
tered into conversation with him.
1t resulted in his dismounting, with
a pleased look, and following him in
to the inn.
The youth was just coming ouI
with his pack on bis back.
Robert said he, TO the young
traveller, for be had learned from
him that his name was Robert Cieay-
erbouse, 4 shall not go to-day
This person wishes to buy farm l
have near here; and let me tell you
that but for stopping over Sunday
| should have lost the sale; for ii
this gentleman had not seen me get
ting on my horse, be would, in an
other hour, have concluded the pur-
chase of another. So, by doing my
duty, thanks to you, | an rewarded.
Here is my address. You must come
and see me after you have found
your uncle
Il thank you. sir, l will do SO,
answered Robert, returning the
friendly shake of Mr.. BettertOn' S
hand, for this was the name upon
the card.
Robert now resumed his journey
on foot, not only happy at heart at
having done his dnty, but invigora-
ted aud refreshed in body. His soul
had been refreshed also by the Lords
Supper, the mama from Heaven
veucbsafed to the weary pilgrim
through this world to give him spir-
itual strength.
About eleven o'clock he came to
the toll bridge. His heart failed
him. He had not any money, hav-
ing put his all into the communion
offering plate.
Sir, what is the toll?'
Two CENTS gruffly answered the
toll-man.
4 have no money; will you allow
me to cross free?
Every vagabond coming along
asks to go free! We might as well
make tia free bridge
Robert felt keenly the rude man
ner in which he was repulsed. lie
had a certain healthy pride called
selfrespeet which led him to ask 20
further. So he sat down on q stone
near by to rest himself and think
what he would do; to see what artl-
Gle of his maagre wardrobe in his
bundle be could spare-eyery arti-
Gle made by his mother and sister, and
therefore doubly dear to him.
The stone curb enabled him to-
ook over into the river, and for
some time he watched a woman wash
ing clothes by the shore. A little
child three years old had crept to
the edge of the fiat rock on which
she was at work, and initiating her.
dipped her little apron into the
and began to rub it in her
little hands. Robert was just about
to call out to the woman to warn
her of the child's danger, when it
lost its balance and disappeared With
a splash beneath the swift curTeLt.
The woman shrieked and tossed her
arms in despair. Robert, without
hesitation, leaped from the parapet
into the current, a descent of twenty
feet. The child had already risen to
the surface, and was being carried a.
long beneath the bridge, where the
water ran like mill race. The toll
keeper was looking over, frantic, and
Offering a thousand dollars to save
his child! Robert heard nothing,
Saw nothing but the drowning infant,
which be soon succeeded in grasping,
and raising upon his shoulder. A
good swimmer, he landed a hundred
yards below, and there was met by
the grateful mother, into whose arms
he placed it, still in its full senses
though frightened and dipping
While the happy mother was en-
bracing her recovered babe, Robert
hastened up the bank and went to
tie stone where he had been seated,
and sitting down, took off bis shoes
to empty the water out, and while
he vas ringing the wasersout Of the
lower part OF bis pantaloons, the toll
gatherer and his wife together, hold
ing the rescued child, came to hun.
The mo- her Cast herself at his feet,