The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-08
A Little Hero.


In the city Of Hartford, Connecticut,
lives the hero of the true history | am
about to relate, but no longer "little,
as the perilous adventure, which made
him for the time famous in his native
town, happened several years ago. Our
hero was then bright, active boy of
fourteen years, the son of mechanic
In the severe winter of 18-, the father
worked in factory, about mile and a
half from his home and every day
the boy carried him his dinner, across
wide piece of meadow land One keen
frosty day, he found the snow on this
meadow nearly two feet deep, and no ira
ces of the little oot-path remaining. Yet
he ran on as fast as possible, plunging
through drifts, keeping himself warm by
the most vigorous exercise, and brave
cheerful thoughts. When in the midst
of the meadow, full half mile from any
house, he suddenly felt himself going
down, down, down. He had fallen in a
well. He sunk down into the dark, icy
water but arose Immediately to the sur
face. There he grasped hold Of a plank
which had fallen into the well as be went
down. One end of this rested on the bot
tom of the well, while the other rose
about four feet above the surface Of the
water. The poor lad shouted for help
until he was hoarse and almost speeches.,
but all in vain, as it was impossible for
him to make himself heard from such a
distance from any house. So at last be
concluded that if he was to be saved al
all, he must save himself, and begin al
once, as he was getting extremely cold
in the water. So he went to work.
First be drew himself up to the plank
and braced himself at the top of it and
the wall of the well, which was built o
brick, and had become quite smooth
Then he pulled off his coat, and taking
out his pocket-kniie, ssstc off his boots
that hhe-mIg ht work to greater advantage
Then with his feet against one side Of the
well, and bis shoulder against the other
be worked his way up, by the most fear
full exertion, about half the distance to the
top. Here he was obliged to pause, take
breath, and gather up his energies fol
the work yet before him. Far harder
was it than all he had gone through fol
the sides Of the well, being from tina
point completely covered with ice, h.
must cut, with his knife, grasping place:
for his fingers, slowly and carefully, al
the way up. 1t was almost hopeless:
attempt, but it was all that he could do
And here the little hero lifted up BIZ
heart to God, and prayed fervently fo
help, fearing that he could never get on
alone. Doubtless the Lord heard biz
voice calling from the deeps, and pitet
him. He wrought no miracle TO save
him, but breathed into bis heart We
larger measure of calmness and courage
strengthening him to work out his owl
deliverance.
After this, the little hero cut his way
upward inch by inch. His wet stockings
froze to the ice, and kept his feet from
slipping, but his shirt was quite worl
from his shoulders ere he reached the top
He Gid reach il at last, crawled out int
the snow, and lay down moment to rest
painting out his breath in little whit
clouds on the clear, frosty air. He hat
been two hours and half in the WE'LL
His clothes soon froze to his body, but b,
no longer suffered with the cold, as, full
of Joy and ,hankfulness, he ran to th
factory, where his good father was wait
ing and wondering. The poor man wa
obliged to 90 without his dinner that day
but you may be sure he cared little abou
that, while listening with tears in hi
eyes 20 the thrilling story his son had t
relate to him. He must have been yer,
proud Of the boy that day, as he wrapped
him in his own warm orercoat, and tool
him home to mother" And how tina
mother, must have wept and smiled owe
tie lad, and kissed him, and thanked Got
for him Tile Little Pilgrim.
A MODEL COMPOSITION The followin!
is bona ide composition handed in I,
4 IL. II. l.. L,