The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-01-31

object of his wrath. AS he approached
the bridge that spanned the river just be-
low the falls, he heard loud cries of alarm,
and upon hurrying forward he found that
boy had fallen from the projecting tim
bers into the water. He looked over the
railing, and saw the little fellow coming
to the surface of the foaming, boiling food
"a curly-headed boy, just about the age
of his own darling Freddy = stretching
forth his tiny arms in agony of despair 1t
was terrible place, that seething, roar
ing pool, where the waters of the great
river came pouring down from over the
high dam; but Jack did not hesitate. =
He forgot everything but the danger of
the little one-and onl y stopping to kick
off his boots, and throw aside his coat, he
leaped down auto the angry flood. He
caught the boy in his arms, and then
struck for the shore, 1t was 4 mighty
conflict, but the strong man persevcred
More than once those who had gathered
upon the bridge and upon the rocks had
reason to fear that neither the man nor
child would come forth alive; but Jack
held his own against the mad torrent, and
b
hands where ready to help him. As for
himself, few minutes rest so far restored
him that he was able to walk and he
had sustained no injury save a few tri-
fling bruises. And as for the. boy, he
had come forth in safety, fer Jack had
held him high above the water during al.
the time of his struggle.
And when Jack Sprout had regained
his strength and was able to speak, he
looked to see the boy he had saved, and
he saw that it was Andy Gordon, bright
eyed, curly haired, fair faced boy, not a
year older than was his son Freddy
Where's papa?" asked the dripping
child.
g. He is coming" answered some one in
the crowd.
Jack looked up, and saw Solomon Cor
don coming-Solomon, pale and terror
striek ken-and with all possible haste he
seized bis coat and boots, and hurried
away. He could not meet Solomon Cor
don then.
Mercy! What is it, Jack ~
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed Her hus-
band was dripping wet, his step was tot
terng, his breath labored, and there was
a livid mark upon his forehead as though
he had received a heavy blow.
" 1t is nothing, Abby"
" has Solomon"
Pshaw. Dye think SOL Gordon
could have done this? have been in
the river. a little boy had fallen from
the bridge right into the flood beneath
the falls. Jumped l IN and brought him
out"
Alive?"
" Yes, alive and unhurt"
"Oh thank God! Whose child vas it,
Jack"
Jack hesitated.
"Don't stop to ask questions now, Alb
by, but make me cup of hot, strong tea,
while | get on some dry clothes. Ny
soull think had a narrow dodge of it,"
Jack put on dry garments, and when
he has rested awhile he drank his tea,
and in the course of an hour all traces of
exhaustion had passed away.
g / tell you, Abby, have had a good
many tough jobs in my day, but L never
had one like that before. A weaker man
than l could never have brought that
child out alive"
o, how grand it is, to use ones
strength in such cause. But whose
child was it? Do you not know?"
Before Jack could answer, the outer
door was unceremoniously opened, and
Solomon Gordon entered the apartment
Abby shrank back in alarm when she saw
how pale and excited the man looked,
aud how he trembled, for she did not no.
tice the moist brimming light that shone
in his swollen eyes.
"Jack!" spoke the new conner, in a
gasping manner, at the same time hold
ing out both his hands. He choked and
stammered, but presently gained strength
to add, " o, my GOD, what can l ay?-
Jack Jack!" Here the stout man broke
fairly down, and burst into tears.
Jack, almost as much affected as was
his visitor, arose and took the extended
hand
Never mind, Sol. It's all right"
/" No, no." cried Gordon. 4" 1t isn't
right. 1t never can be right. O, what
can do? Jack, if could only 20 back
to where | was this morning! Ny God.
l. GeaL your cuilu LOT triHlDS tniDS, abu /
you have saved mine from a terrible
death, saved him almost at the expense |
of your own life. Kill me if you will
Beat me, Jack. Do any thing you like,
only-forgive for what did to your little
me, so that this saving |
act of yours shan't be always like heap
of Goals upon my head!'
And then with sudden pulse-under
the influence of an emotion such as he |
had never before experienced, Jack
Sprout said,
Solomon, tell you it's all right. You
have no more reason to thank God that | /
saved your child than | have When |
went from my house was full of wrath;
madness and curses were upon my heart.