The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-03-21

In the city Of Hartford, Connecticut, lives
the hero of the true history am about to re-
late, but no longer little as the perilous ad-
venture, which made him for the time ia
nous in his native town, happened several
years ago. Our hero was then bright, ac-
tive boy Of fourteen years, the son Of a me-
chanic. In the severe winter of 1S-,the IA
ther worked in factory, about mile and a
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 this meadow nearly two
feet deep, and no traces of the little foot-path
remaining. Yet he ran on as fast as posi-
bic, plunging through drifts, keeping him
self warm by the most vigorous exercise, and
brave cheerful thought. When in the midst
of the meadow, full half mile from any
house, he suddenly felt himself going down,
down, down.
lie had fallen into well. He sank down
into the dark, icy water, but arose immedi-
ately to the surface. There he grasped hold
of plank which had fallen into the well as
he went down. One end of this rested on
the bottom of the well, while the other rose
about four feet above the surface of the wa
ter. The poor lad shouted for help until he
was hoarse and almost speechleSs, but all in
vain, as it was impossible for him to make
himself heard from such depth, and at
such distance from any house. So at last
he concluded that if he was to be saved at
all, he must save himself, and begin at once
as he was getting extremely cold in the wa
ter So he went to work. First he drew
himself up to the plank, and braced himself
at the top Of it and the wall of tie well, which
was built Of brick, and had become quite
smooth. Then he pulled off his coat, and
taking out his pocket-knife, cut off his boots
that he might work TO greater advantage
Then, with his feet on one side of the wall land
his shoulder against the other, he worked
his way up, by the most fearful exertion
about half the distance to the top. Here he
was obliged to pause. take breath, and gath
err up his energies for the work yet before him.
Far harder was it than all he had gone
through for the sides of the vel, being from
that point completely covered with ice, he
mus. cut. with his knife, grasping places fol
his fingers, slow y and carefully. all the way
up.
twas almost a hopeless attempt,but it was
all he could do. And here the little hero lifted
up his heart to God, and prayed fervently
for help, fearing he could never get GU: alone.
Doubtless the Lori heard his voice calling
from the deeps,and pitied him. He wrought
no miracle to save him, but breathed into his
heart a yet larger measure of calmness anG
courage. Strengthening him to work out his
own delverance
After this, the little hero cut his way up
ward inch by inch, His wet stockings froze
to the ice, and kept his feet from slipping,
but his shirt was quite worn from his should
ers ere he reached the top. He did reach
it at last, crawled out into the snow, and Law
down moment to rest. painting out his
breath i'll little white clouds on the clear.
frosty air. He had been two hours and a
half in the well. His clothes soon freze to
his body. but he no longer suffered with the
cod, as, full Of JOY aud thankfulness, he ran
to the factory.where his good father was wait
ing and wondering. The poor man was
obliged to go without his dinner that dav
but you may be sure he cared little about
that, while listening with tears in his eyes tc
the thrilling story his son had to relate tc
him. He must have been very proud Of the
boy that day. as he wrapped him in his owl
warm overcoat, and took him home to moth
en-. And how that mother must have wep
and smiled over the lad. and kissed him, ans
thanked God for him Tile Little Pilgrim.