The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-04-24

him that he was able to walk and he had
sustained no injuries save a few tri1ing
bruises. And asafct the hoy, heskad come
forth in safetysfor Jack had held him high
above the water during all the time of bis
struggle. 81 ~
And when Jack Sprout had regained his
breath, and was able ia speak he looked to
see the boy he had saved, and he saw that
it was Andy Gcrlon, "a bright-eyed curly
haired, red faced boy, not year Older than
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 coming pale and terror
stricken-and with all terrible haste he
seized his coat and boots, and hurried away.
He could not meet Solomon Gordon there.
Mercy What is it, Jack p
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed. Her husband
was dripping wet, his step was tottering,
his breathing was labored, and there was
livid mark upon his forehead as though be
had received heavy blow. g
1T is nothing, Abby" a
Has Solomon"
"Pshaw! Dye think Solomon Gordon
could have done this? have been ia the
river. A little boy had fallen from the
bridge right into the food beneath the
falls. jumped in and brought him out. =
"Alive ?'''5
eyes, alive and unhurt..' p sa
"Oh, thank God! Whose child was it,
Jack p ss a.is -,., 5,e
Don tstop TO ask questions now, Abby,
but make me, cup of hot, strong tea,
while | get on some dry clothes. My soul
Ithink had a narrow dodge of it !"0g9
/ Jccklput on dry garments, and when be
had rested a while he drank his tea, and in
the course of an hour all traces of exhaus-
ton had passed away. = -i''iJs.'e2 ofl
l5"I tell you, Abby, L have had good
many tough jobs in my day, but never
had one like that before. A weaker man
than I could never have brought out that
child alive. a.f'-@lsi'
'"Oh, how grand it is, Jack. to use one s
strength in such cause. But whose child
was it? Do you know?"
Before Jack could answer, Ne outer door
was unceremon!ously opened, and Solomon
Gordon entered the apartment. Abby
shrank back IN alarm when she saw how
pale and excited the man looked, and how
/ be tremblcd, for she did not notice the
moist -brimming light that shone in his
swollen eyes. F ores
Jack !" spoke the new conner, in a
gasping manner, at the same time holding
out both of his hands. He choked and
stammered, but presently gained strength
to add, |Oh, my God what can say !
Jack Jack u Here the stout man broke
fairly down, and burst into tears. t.
Jack, almost as much affected as was his
visitor. arose and took the extended hand
Never mind, Sol. It's all right. a.
mo, no, cried Gordon. 1T isn't
right. Il 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 triHing thing, and you
saved mine from terrible death. saved
him almost at tie expense of your own life.
Kill me if you will. Beat me, Jack. Do
anything you like, only forgive me, SO that
this saving acs of yours shan't be always
like heap of coalsupon my head |"
And then with sudden impulse-under
the influence of an emotion such as he had
never before experienced, Jack Sprout
said
Solomon, l tell you it's all right. You
have. no more reason to thank God that L
saved your child than l have When /
went forth from my house vas full of
wrath and madness, and curses were upon
my lips and in my heart. l should have
sought such revenge as the wild beasts
seek. Is it not better that / found your
little Andy in the food and us it not bet.
ter that my great strength was used in saw
ing his life? forgive you, Sol. from the
bottom of my heart Aud now, | say it's
| all righti'
Aud SO was cemented friendship holy aud
| lasting. l4i r gfH
Seemingly slight perturbations in the cur
rent Of mans life sometimes work marvel
Gus changes for good or i'll.
ABBY" said jack Sprout-it was late
in the evening, and thsy had been sitting
| for some time without speaking-''I believe
/ am converted. Saul of Tarsus, that you
read to Freddy about last Sunday, was not
more suddenly brought to light than |
have been Really and truly, there is more
virtue in kindness than in eBmity 1t
bIesses every thing and every body He
who bestowes it is as much blessed as he
| who receives it. ..... o..
md then the wife, with her arm placed
gently around her husbands neck, kindly
SAID ......
Dear Jack, wouldn't we both be hap
pier if We would try to live by the blessed
rules laid down by our Savior? Oh, !
know that they were given by One who
sought our highest good, and | think We
should find joy in trying to square our live:
| by the golden rule.
My darling, we will try"