Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-04-22

use now"
"Oho p uttered Jack, "you are preach
ing. You are giving me some of
your Sunday School lessons. But I
don't want 'em. You may experience re-
ligion as much as you please; but you
mustn't preach the stuff to me-"
JACK" spoke the wife, with stern
rolensnity, ''have I been any worse since
| began to have an interest in religious
things z"
mo: Abby, you were good always"
''Then why will you not listen to me !?
IF you will stay with me now--if you will
wat until your anger is cooled-and then
go and speak kindly to Solomon Gordon,
| give you my solemn word that you VIII
feel thousand times better than you will
| if you --...... .....
| But Jack wotld rot hear his wife out.
He had sworn that he would thrash Sol,
ONION 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 that had been laid upon
the child's body had made mark Of fire
apon his heart, So he put his wife away
from him, and hurried from the house,
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 most
assuredly have been severely beaten for
though Solomon was a stout, bold man,
yet Jack was very Hercules. -
But Jack was destined to get thorough
ly cooled off before he met the object of
his wrath. AS he approached the bridge
that spanned the river just below the falls
he heard loud cries Of alarm, and upon
huuying forward be found that boy had
fallen ffo.n oae of the projecting timbers
into the water He looked over the rail
ing and saw the little fellow jus; coming
to the surface of the foamng, boiling
flood-a eurly=headsd boy, just about the
age of his own darling Feddy-stretch=
ing forth his tiny arms in an agony of
despair. 1t was terrible place, tfat
seething, roaring pool, where the waters
Of the great river came pouring down
from the high dam; but Jack did not
hesitate, he forgot his eneny-forgot
everything but the danger Of the little
one-and only stopped to kick off his
boots, and threw aside his coat, he leaped
down into the angry flood. He caught
the boy in his arms, and then struck out
for tie shore. It was mighty conflict,
but the strong man persevered. More
than once those who gathered upon the
rocks had reason to fear that neither the
man nor the child would come forth
alive; bat Jack held his own against the
mad torrent, and finally reached the
shore, where many hundreds were ready
to help him. AS fer himself, few min
utes rest so far restored him that he was
able to walk and he had sustained nc
injuries save few triaing bruises. And
as for the boy, he had come forth In safe
ty, for Jack had held high above the wat
er during all the time of bis struggle.
And when Jack SpTout had regained
his breath, and WAS able tospeak, he look
ed to see the boy he had saved, and he
saw that it was Andy Gordon, bright
eyed, curly haired, red d-faced boy, not a
year elder 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-Solomon, pale and terror
stricken-and with all terrible haste he
seized his coat and boots, and hurried
away. He could not meet Solomon Cor
don there. 9.... -..4.., .... ~...
"Mercy ! What is it, Jack p .....
Mrs Sprout was alarmed. Her hus-
band was dripping wet, his step was tot,
tering, his breathing was labored, and
there was livid mark upon his forehead
as though he had received a heavy blow.
"It is nothing, Abby"
"Has Solomon" .,r
:'Pshaw! Dye think Solomon Gordon
could have done thisl | 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
outl $. .a. .l..... ........
"Alive 7" .......
eyes, alive and unhurt," replid Jack.
"oA, thank God' Whose child was
it, Jack. alma.
Don't stop to ask questions now, Abby,
but make me a cup OF tea, strong tea,
while 1 get on some dry clothes. My
soul I think I had narrow dodge OF
it,"
Jack put on dry garments, and when
he had rested while he drank his tea,
and in the course Of an hour all traces Of
exhaustion had passed away.
II tell you, Abby, | have had a good
many tough jobs in my day, but | never
had one like that before A walker man
than could never have brought out that
| child alive" .. .f... .. ....