Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-06-06

lallen IN MS way just tHcH HC "ouiu 40 .
most assuredly been severely beaten tor
though Solomon was STOUT, Dold man,
Jack was very Hercules
But Jack was destined to get pretty thor
oughlv cooled off before he met the object
of his wrath. AS he approached the river
inst below the falls he heard loud cries of
alarm and upon hurrying forward, he
found that boy had fallen from one Of the
projecting timbers into the water. He
looked over the railing, and saw the little
fellow lust coming to the surface Of the
foaming boiling fiood-a curly headed
boy-just about the age of his own dar-
ling Freddy-stretching forth his tiny
hands in an agony of despair. 1t was a
terrible place, that seething, roaring pool,
where the waters of the great river came
pouring down from over the dam; but
Jack did not hesitate. He forgot his enc
my-forgot everything butthe danger Of
the little one-and only stopping to kick
of his boots, and throw aside his coat, he
leaped down into the angry food. Hecaught
the boy in his arms, and then struck for
the shore. 1t was mighty conflict, but
the strong man persevered. More than
once those who had gathered upon the
rocks and upon the shore had reason to fear
that neither the man nor the boy 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 min
utes' action assured him that he was able
to walk and he sustained no injury save
a few trlfling bruises. And as for the boy,
he had come forth in safety, for Jack had
held him high above the water during all
the time of his struggle.
And when JOCK Sprout had regained his
breath and was able to speak, he looked to
see the boy that he had saved, and he saw
that it was Andy Gordon, brlght-eyed,
curly headed, fair-faced boy, not year
older than was his son Freddy.
"Where's papa?" asked the dripping
child sf . aTeaS 3f1 a't
"He is coming" answered some one in
the crowd. ".asf e"
Jack looked up and saw Solomon Cor
don coming-Solomon, pale and terror
stricken-and with all possible haste he
seized his coat and boots and hurried
away. He could not meet Solomon Cor
don then.
mercy! what is it, Jack?"
Mrs Sprout was alarmed. Her husband
was dripping wet, his step was tottering,
his breathing was labored, and there was
livid mark on bis forehead, as though he
had received heavy blow.
I cit is nothing, Abby"
Has Solomon" m
"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 in and brought him out"
"Alive?"
"Yes, alive and unhurt."
ooh, thank God! Whose child was it,
Jack pm --e-
d" Don't stop to ask questions now, Abby,
but make me a cup of hot, strong tea,
while l get on some dry clothes My
soul! [ think | had narrow dodge of
it ~ ssg -.
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 exhaust
ion had passed away.
, II tell you, Abby, / have had good
many tough jobs in my day, but never
had one like that. A weaker man than 1
could never have brought out that child
alive" ~ H
ooh how grand it is, Jack, to use ones
strength in such cause But whose child
was it, Jack? Do you 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, and how
he trembled, for she did not notice the
moist trimming light that shone in his
swollen eyes -
"Jack!" spoke the new conner, in
gasping manner, at the same time holding
out both his hands. He choked and stam-
mered, but presently gained strength to
add: Oh, my God what can / say
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 81 hsa 4 ri ,sl5
Never mind, Sol. It's all right"
"No, moi cried Gordon. at isn't
right it never can be right. Oh, what can
| do? Jack, if / could only go back to
where was this morning! My God! /
beat your child for trifing thing, and you
saved mine from terrible death; saved
him almost at the expense of your own
life. Kill me if you will Beat me, Jack.
Do anything you like, but only forgive me,
SO that this saving act Of yours shan't be
always like a heap of Goals upon my
head /" .suoa....-a ..4.
And then with sudden impulse, under
the influence of such an emotion as he had
never before experienced, Jack Sprout
said: fsYr H
Solomon, 1 tell you it's all right. You
have no more reason to thank God that /
saved your child than l have. When |
went from my house | was full of wrath
and madness, and curses were upon my
lips and in my heart should have sought
such revenge as the wild beast seeks. Is it
not better that [ found your little Andy in
the flood? And is IL not better that my
great strength was used in saving his life /?
forgive you from the bottom of my heart. |
And now l say It's all right! +"
And so was cemented a friendship holy |
and lasting.
Seemingly slight perturbations in the
current of mans life sometimes work |
changes for good or ILL.,
Abby" said Jack Sprout-it was late |
n the evening, and they had been sitting
or some time without speaking" be-
ieve am converted"
"Jack ~
"Yes, Abby, am converted. Saul of
Farsus, that you read to Freddy about last |
sunday was not more suddenly brought |
% light than have been. Really and truly |
here is more virtue in kindness than in |
snmity; it blesses everything and every
body. He who bestows it is as much |
blessed as he who receives it."
And then the wife, with her arm placed |
around her husbands neck, gently, kindly
aid:
Dear Jack, wouldn't we both be hap
Al 1 I /