The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1868-04-16

! Dut Jatk Woutu uOt ueaT us Niic
out. lie had sworn that he would
thrash Solomon Gordon, and he would
keep hi' word. His temper was at
the boiling point, aud he was fairly
aching to get hands upon the mou
who had dared to strike his boy for
Freddy was his pet. aud every blow
that had been laid upon the child's
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 Sprout with rap
id, heavy strides and had Solomon
Gordon fallen ir his way just then,
he would most assuredly have been
severely beaten for though Solomon
was a stout, bold man, yet Jack was
a very Hercules.
But Jack was destined to get thor
oughly cooled off before he met the
object Of his wrath. As he approach
ed the bridge that spanned the river
just below the falls he heard loud
cries of alarm, aud upon hurrying
forward he found that boy had fallen
from one Of the projecting timbers
into the water. lie looked over the
railing and saw the little fellow Just
coming to the surface of the foam.
ing, boiling hood-a curly headed
] boy, just about the age of his own
! darling Freddy-stretching forth his
tiny arms in an agony Of despair. 1t
was a terrible place, that seething.
roaring pool. where the waters of tue
great river came pouring down from
the high dam but Jack did not hrsi.
tate, he forgot his enemy forgot
every thing but the danger Of the
little one--and only stopped to kick
off his boots, aud throw aside his
coat, he leaped down into the angry
food. lie caught the boy in his
arms, and ;hcn struck out for the
shore. 1t was mighty conflict, but
the strong man persevcred. 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,
aud finally reached the shore. where
uany hundreds we're ready to help
/ : M As for himself, a few minutes
Gar restored him that he was
.hIo M ., 20 w,ik: and he had sustained
abe ;,,-;.. TO wa a..,., n e-w riGing bruises.
Aud as for the boy, he ',,'d come , iorlh for II
in safety. for Jack had Seld .H9'm eiSh
above the WI ter during all tue NV
of this struggle.
Aud when Jack Sprout had re-
gaiued his breath, and was able to
speak, he looked to zee the boy he
had saved, and he saw that il was
Andy Gordon, bright eyed, curly
haired, red faced boy, not year older
than his own SCI -reddy.
"Where's papa" asked The dripping
child.
"Ao is coming" answered some
one in the crowd.
Jack looked up anil saw Solomon
Gordon coming-Solomou, pale aud
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?
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed. Her
husband was dripping wet, his step
was tolteriug, his breathing was la
bored, and there was livid mark
upon his forehead as though he had
received heavy blow,
alt is nothing, Abby"
"Has Solomon"
"Pshaw Dye think Solomon Cor
don could have done this | have
been 10 the river. A little boy had
fallen from the bridge rigt into the
food beneath the falls. jumped in
anu brought him out"
"Alive p
"Yes, alive and unhurt," replied
Jack.
"Oh, thank Goil Whose child
was it, Jack p
"Don't stop to ask questions now,
Abby, make cup Of hot, strong tea,
while | get on some dry clothes. My
soul ! think | had narrow dodge
+ of il |"
Jack put on dry garments, aud
when he had rested awhile he drank
his tea, and in the course of an hour
all traces of exhaustion had passeC
, away.
II tell you, Abby, l have had {
good many tough jobs in my day
, but [ never had one like that before
A weaker man than l could never
have brought out that child alive"
, "Oh, how grand it is, Jack, T.
! use ones strength in such cause
, But whose child was it? Do yoI
know2'
Before Jack could not answer, tn,
, outer door was uneeremoniousl,
: opened, and Solomon Gordon entered
the apartment. Abby shrank bacl
: Ia alarm when she saw how pale aut
! excited the man looked, and how h,
trembled, for she did not notice tn
a moist brimmiug light that shone il
his swollen eyes.
4 "Jaek ?" spoke tho new conner, in
0 gasping manner, at the same tim
{. holding out both of his hands. II
: choked aud stammered, but PRESENT..
t gained strength to add. Oh. my Gud
{ what eau [ say! Jack Jack I" Her
T the stout mau broke fairly down, ant
burst into tears,
Q Jack, almost as much affected a
Q was his visitor, arose aud took tn
extended hand.
nNever mind Sol It's all right.
1; "NO, no, cried Gordon. "It isn'
D right. 1t never can be right. Oh
what can | do2 Jack, if | coul'
D only go back to where | was thi
. morning My God, | beat you
D child for a trifling thing, aud yor
saved mine from a terrible death