The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-04-02

were attacked / would not blame
you for 6ghting to protect your.
self, but this is not a case that
calls for your strength of muscle.
There is higher and nobler
strength that yon can use now"
"Oho!" uttered Jack, you are
preaching. You are giving me
some of your Sunday School les.
sons. But | don't want 'em. You
may experience religion as much
us you please; but you mustn't
preach the stuff TO me"
"Jack, spoke the wife, with stern
solemnity, shave l been any
worse since l began to have an
interest in religious tbings?'
mo, Abby, You were good al.
ways "Then why will you not
listen 10 me2 Ifyou will stay with
me now-if you will wait until
your anger is cooled-and then go and
speak kindly TO Solomon Gordon.
| give you my solemn word that
you will feel a thousand times bet.
ter than you will if you"
But Jack would not hear his wife
out. He had sworn that ho would
thrash Solomon Gordon, and be
would keep his word. His temper
was at the boiling point, and he
was fairly aching to get hands up
on 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
mado a mark Of fire upon his own
heart. So he put his wife away
from him, and hurried from the
house, slamming tho 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 severly beaten; for
though Solomon was a stout, bold
man, yet Jack was worry Hercu.
les.
But Jack was destined to get
thoroughly cooled of before he
met the object of his wrath. AS
he approache. the bridge that
spanned the river just below the
tails 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
ioaming, boiling food--a curly
beaded boy, just about the age Of
his own darling Freddy-stretch-
ing forth his tiny arms in an
agony of despair. 1t was a terri.
bic place, that seelhing, roaring
pool, where the waters of the great
river came pouring down from the
high dam; but Jack did not hesitate,
he forgot his enemy-forgot every
thing but the danger Of the little
One--and only stopped to kick of
his boots, and throw aside his coat,
he leaped down into the angry
food. Ilc caught the boy in his
arms, and then struck out for the
shore. 1t was mighty conflict,
but the strong man perscvered =
Molo than once those who had
gathered upon the rocks had rea
son to fear that neither the man
nor the child would come for tn
alive; but Jack held his own against
the mad torrent, and finally reach
ed the shore, where many hun lrcds
were ready to help him. As for
himself, few inmates rest so far
restored him that he was able to
walk and he had sustained no in
urics save q few triaing bruises. =
And as for the boy. no had come
forth in safety, for Jack had held
him high above tho water during
all the time'of this struggle.
And when Jack Sprout had re-
gained his breath, and waD able to
speak, he looked TO see the boy he
had saved, and he saw that it was
Andy Gordon, q bright.eyed, curly
haired, red faced boy, not a year
older that his own son Freddy.
where's papa asked the drip.
ping child.
"He is coming answered some
one in the crowd.
Jack looked up and saw Solomon
Gordon coming-Soomon, pale
and terror stricken-and with all
terrible haste he seized his coat
and boots, and hurried away. lie
conld not meet Solomon Gordon
there.
"Mercyl WHAT'S it, Jack ?"
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed. Her
husband was dripping wet, his
step was tottering, his breathing
was laborcd, 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
Gordon could have done thisl !
have been in the river. A little
boy had fallen from the bridge
right into the food beneath the
falls. Ijumped III and brought him
out"
"Alive ~
"Yes, alive and unhurt," replied
Jack.
"Oh, thank Godl Whose child
was it, Jack?"
"Don't stop to ask questions now,
Abby, make me cup Of hot, strong
tea, while ] get on some dry clothes,
, My soul! Think l had u narrow
,loJro nf - ~