The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-20

| "Oh, Jack, II you would only try the
effect of kindness upon Solomon he 10
q good man at heart" III ao~,.,ve
Jack interrupted his wife with ader,si'e
sheer. - I..,, vop u
would be better to do so than 10 res1,' "
blows. If you were attacked, y snouiu No.
blame you for fighting to protect yoursen
hrt this ia not case that calls Tor your
strength of muscle. There is higher
and nobler strength that you can use
now"
81 Ohio . uttered Jack, "you are preach
ing. You are giving me some OF your sun
day school lessons. But don't want 'em.
You may experience religion as much as
you please, but you mustn't preach the
stuff to me-"
"Jack," spoke the wife, with stern
solemnity, "have been any worse since l
began to have an interest in religious
thingsl" -,
"No, Abby-you were always good"
"Then why will you not listen to me
II you will stay with me now-if you will
wait until your anger is cooled-and then
90 and speak kindly to Solomon Gordon, !
give you my solemn pledge that you will
feel a thousand times better than you will
if you"
But Jack would not hear his wife out.
He had sworn that he would thrash Solo
mon Gordon, and he would keep his word.
His temper was at the boiling point, and
he was fairly aching to get his hands upon
the man who had dared to strike his boy
for Freddy was his pet, and every blow
L. l.; kha oh 20 hpJ x,
had made mark Of fire upon his own
heart. So he put his wife away from him
and hurried from the honse, slamming the
door after him.
Away went Jack Sprout with rapid,
heavy strides; and had Solomon Gordon
fallen in his way just then, he would have
most assuredly been severely beaten; for
though Solomon was stout, bold man,
yet Jack was very Hercules.
But Jack was destined to get pretty
thoroughly cooled off before he met the OBJ
iect of his wrath. As he approached the
bridge that spanned the river just below
the falls he heard loud cries of alarm, and
upon hurrying forward he found that a
boy had fallen from one of the projecting
timbers into the water. He looked over
the railing and saw the little fellow just
coming to the surface of the foaming, boil
ing flood-a curly headed boy, just about
the age of his own darling Freddy
stretching forth his tiny hands in 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 high dam; but Jack did not hest
tate. He forgot his enemy-forgot every
thing but the danger of the little one-and
only stopping to kick off his boots, and
throw aside his coat, he leaped down into
the angry flood. He caught 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 bridge and upon
the rocks 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, a few minutes action as
sured him that he was able to walk and
he had sustained no injuries save few
triaing bruises. 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 Jack Sprout had regained his
health, and was able to speak, he looked
to see the boy that he had saved, and he
saw that it was Andy Gordon, bright.
eyed, curly haired, fair-faced boy, not q
year older than was his own son Freddy.
"Where's papa" asked the dripping
child.
"He is coming" answered some one in
the crowd.
Jack looked up and saw Solomon Cor.
don comiug-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 p
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed. Her husband
was dripping wet, his step was lettering
his breathing was labored, and there was 9
livid mark upon his forehead as though he
had received heavy blow.
at 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 food beneath the falls.
jumped in and brought him out"
"Alve?"
"Yes, alive and unhurt."
ooh, thank God! Whose child was it
Jack ?"
"Don't stop to ask questions now, Abby
but make nue. a cup of hot, strong tea
while get on some dry clothes. My soul
I think / had 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 cxhauS.
ton had passed away.
81 tell you, Abby, have had a good
many tough jobs in my day, but | have
. never had one like that before. A weaker
man than | could never have brought out
that child alive"
"Oh, how grand it is, Jack, to use ones
strength in such cause! But whose child
was it Do you not know I"
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 a
gasplng manner, at the same Tune hOlulne
, out both his hands. He choked and STAN.
mered, hut presently gained strength &c
add i" 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
J hand.
"Neyer mind, Sol. It's all right"
"No, no." cried Gordon" sit ISM
RIGHT II never can be right. Oh, what