Maryland free press., 1867-06-06

L. 1 H.
wait till your anger is ccalsd--auf then
90 and sneak kindly to -S,lemon Gordon.
| give you my solemn pledge that ron will
feel thonsand times better than YOU will
il you" sss -
But Jack would not hear his wife out.
.Hc had sworn that he would thrash. Sols-
mon Gordon, and he would keep his word.
His temper was at the boiling point. and
he was fairly aching to get his hands up
on the man who had dared toistrike his
boy; for Freddy was his pet, and every
bow that had been laid upon the childs
body had made mark Of FIRE upon his own
heart. So he put his wife away from him
and hurried from the house, slamming the
door after him.
Away went Jack Sprort. with rapid
heavy strides; and had Gordon fallen in
his way just then. he woul1 most assuredly
have been beaten, for Though Solomon was
stoat, bold man, yet Jack was . very
Hercules. 81 - 9ts'''H ''sl
Bat Jack was destined to get pretty
thoroughly cooled off before he met the OBJ.
ject of his wrath. As he apprqached the
bridge that spanned the river jyst below
the falls, he heard loud cries ofaIarm. and
upon hurrying forward he found that
by had fall N from one OF the projecting
tiinbers into the water. He looked over
tho railing and saw the little fellow just
coming to the surface Of the foaming boil
ing food-a curly headed boy. just about
the age of his own darling Freddy
stretching forth his tiny arms id an agony
Of despair. 1t was terrible place. that
sething, roaring pool, where the waters Of
the great river came pouring down from
the high dam; but Jack did not hesitate.
lie forgot his cn-my-forgot everything
but the danger OF lle little one-and only
stopping to kick off his boots. and throw
aside his coat, he leaped down into the
angry food. He caught the boy 10 his
arms, and then struck out for shore. IL
was a mighty conflict, but the strong man
perScvered. More than once those who
had gathered upon the rocks had reason to
fear that neither the man nor the child
would come forth alive; but Jack held his
own against the mad torrent, and finally
reached the shore, where many hands were
ready to help him. As for himself, few
minutes rest so far restored him that he
was able to walk; and had sustained no in
jury save few tri6ing bruises. And rs
for the boy. he had come forth in safety,
for Jack had held him high above the wa
ter during all the :ime of his struggle. a'''
And when Jack Sprout had regained
his breath, and was able to speak, he look.
ed to see the boy that he had saved. and
he saw that it was Andy Gordon, q bright
eyed, curly headed, red faced boy, not a
year older than was his son Freddy. III. Il
Where's papa?' asked the dripping
chaal. all
lies coming" said some one in, the
crowd.
Jack looked up and saw Solomon Cor
don coming Solomon. pale and terror
stricken-and with all possible haste hs
seized his coat and boots and hurried,
away. He could not meet Solomon Cor
don then. "'@'. ="
"Mersy, what is It, Jaek?" AZ 'sl'"o' .
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed. Her hus-
band was dripping we, his step was tot
tering. his breathing was labored. and
there was a livid mark upon his forehead,
as though he had received heavy blow
''It is nothing, Ably" '..i 7ad ,Hs"
elias Solomon" .re Z ai}af 9!ui
"Pshaw. Dye think Solomon Gordon
could have done this? have been in the
river. A little boy had fallen FROM tie
bridge right into the food bene ath tho !"
fails. jumped in aad brought him out If
''Alive?" af...za b. ao'aa e
eyes, alive and unhnrt." .o.a.ts ,IP
''Oh, thank Cod! Whose child was
it, Jack?"
Don't stop to ask questions now, Alb 8
bey, but make me cup of hot, strong
ten, while get on some dry clothes. My
soul! think l bad a narrow dodge of it,
Jack put on dry garments, and when he
had rested awhile he drank his tea, and in
the course of an hour all traces of exhaus-
tion had gone. .Vala' ag+f =" a92'A-.
Il tell you. Abby, I have had a good j
many tough jobs in my day, but never
had one like that bcfore A weaker man
than l could never have brought out that
child alive" 'e.f crew g ii' 9'lttd si'h'
"Oh. how grand it is, Jack, to use ones
strength in such cause But whose q
child was it !? Do ycu know?" gafs a54
Before Jack could answer, the outer
door was unc tremendously opened, and Sol !,
omong ngGordon entered the apartment Alb
by shrank back in alarm when she saw :
how pale and excited the min looked, aud
how he treinbled, for she did moi notice
the moist. brimm;ng light that shone in
his swollen eyes.
''Jack!' spoke the new comer.in in gasp
ing manner. at the same tins holding out
both of his hands. lie choked and stam-
nered, but presently gained strength to
add, 20, my God, what can soy! Jack! Z
Jack" Here the stout man broke fairly
lown. and burst into tear s.
Jack, almost as much effected as was