Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-12-20
M(istellantous.
A Little Hero.

10 the city Of Hartford, Connecticut,
lives the hero Of the true story am abou,
to relste-but no longer ",itte," as The
perilous adventure, which for a time made
him famous in his native town, he ppend
several years ago.
Our hero was then bright, sctiye boy
Of fourteen-the son Of mechanic. 10
the severe winter Of 49,, the father work.
ed In factory about mile snda half from
his home, and every day the boy carried him
his dinner, across a wide piece Of meadow
land.
One keen, frosty day, he found the snow
on the meadow nearly two feet deep, and
no traces Of the little foot path remaining.
YET he ran op, plupging through drifts
keeping himself warm by vigorous exercise,
and brave, cheerful thoughts.
When ia the midst of the meadow-fully
half mile from any house. he suddenly
felt himself going down, down, down! He
had fallen into o veil.
He sunk down into the dark, icy water,
but rose Immediately to the surface. There
he, e,grasped hold Of plank, which had fal-
len into the well as he went down. One
end of this rested on the bottom Of the
well. the other rose about four feet above
the surface OF the water.
The poor lad shouted :or help until he
hoarse and alu ost speechless, but oil in
vain, as it was impossible for him 10 make
himself heard for such depth. ard at such
a distance from any house. So a. last he
concluded that if he was to be saved ut all,
he must save himself, and began at ono las
he was getting extremely cold in the water
So he went to work.
First, he drew himself up tho plank and
braced himself against the top of ii and the
wall of the we'll, which was of brick, and
quite smooth. Then he pulled off his coat.
and taking ou, his pocket knife, cut of his
boots, that he might work to greater ad-
vantage. Then, with his feet against one
side of the well, and his shoulders against
the other. he worked his way up, by the
most fearful exertion, about half the dis
iance to the top. Here he was obliged to
pause, take breath, anG gather up his ener.
gies for the work yet before him. Far hard
or was it than all be had gone through. for
the side of the well being from that point
completely covered with ice, be must cot
with his knife. grasping places for his fng.
ers, slowly and carefully, oil the way up.
1t was almost hopeless attempt. but II
was all that he could do. And here the
little hero lifted up his heart to God, and
prayed fervently for help, fearing he could
\ never get out alone. ----- ---ar--- =
Doubtless the Lord heard his voice, cali
ing from the deep, and pttiet him. He
wrought no miracle to save him, but breath.
ed into his heart yet larger measure ot
culmness and courage, streng thening him
to work out his own deliverance. 1t is in
this way that God most often answers oui
prayers, when we call upon him in time ol
trouble.
After this. the little hero cut his way up.
ward, inch by inch. His wet stocking,
, froze to the ice and kept his feet from slip.
ping, but his shirt was qaite worn from his
shoulders ere he reached the top.
He did reach it at last crawled out into
the snow, and lay down for moment tc
rest-panting out his breath in little white
clouds, on the clear frosty air. i''
He had been two hours and half in the
well. .r.fl. rra.-rtr
{ His clothes soon froze TO his body--bu
he no longer suffered with the cold. as. ful
of joy aud thank fulness, he ran to tn,
| factory, where his good father was waiting
and wondering. E -1.it--} }ff .
The poor man was obliged to go withou
his dinner that day--but you may be sur,
he cared little about that, while listening
with tears 10 his yes, to the thrilling story
his son had to relate to him. 81.
He must have been very proud OF the boy
that day, as he wrapped him up in his owr
wal n overcoat.and took him home to moth
er." -'.4 ~ ..
And how that mother must have wept ant
smiled over the lad, and kissed him, ant
THANKED God for him!
have not heard of the little hero" fol
two or three years, but trust he 10 grow
ing up into brave, heroic man-and hops
hs will never forget the Heavenly friene
who did not forget him in the hour Of hi
greatest need. H'H "
There is an old saying that truth lies a
the bottom of 4 we'll.
trust that this brave boy found AM
brought up from there this truth-God help
those who help themselves.-Grace Green
wood 'si
WEIGH TRIALS. Three things as goo