Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-05-28


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 fellow just coming up
to the surface of the foaming, boiling food ;
a curly headed boy just about the age of his
own darling Freddy; stretching forth his tiny
hands in agony of despair. 1t was terri
BILE place, that seething, roaring pool, where
the waters Of the great river came pouring
down from over the dam ;tsbut Jack did not
hesitate. He forgot his enemy-forgo 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 a
mighty conflict but the strong man pcrsevered.
| More than once those who had gathered up
on the rocks and upon the shore 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, whore many hands were
ready to help him. AS for himself, few
minutes action assured him that he was able
to walk, and he sustained no injury save a
| few trifing bruises. And 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. ai fa
And when Jack Sprout had regained his
breath and was able to speak, he looked to
see the boy he had saved, and he saw Andy
Gordon, q bright-eyed, curly-headed, fair
faced boy, not year older than was his son
Freddy. -. &C..
where's papa ?" asked the dripping
child H. .....l :.e....g
HE is coming" answered some one in
the crowd. IL
Jack looked up and saw Solomon Gordon
coming Solomon pale and terror stricken !;
ane with all possible haste he seized his coat
and boots and hurried away. He could not
meet Solomon Gordon then 1tAj'
"Mercy ! what is it Jack % iiss .@'s4
Mrs Sprout was alarmed. Her husband
was dripping wet, his step was lettering,
his breathing was labored, and there was a
liyid mark on his forehead, as though he
had received heavy blow. G-f2
1t is nothing Abby"
"Pshaw! Dye think Sol. Gordon could
have done this? I 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"
"Alive 2" .et'
eyes, alive and saunhurt."
sob, thank God Whose child was it
Jack 7"
Don't stop to ask questions now, Abby,
but make me cup of hot, strong tea, while
get on some dry clothes. My soul I
think I had narrow dodge ofitP'
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 exhaus-
ton had passed away.
Il tell you, Abby, I have had a good
many tough jobs in my days, but never had
one like that. A weaker man than I could
never have brought out that child alive
ooh, how grand it is Jack, to use ones
strength in such cause! But whose child
was it Jack Do you know!" sa.s as
Before Jack could answer, the outer door
was uncermoniously 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 trem-
bled, for she did not notice the most brim.
ming light that shown in his swollen eyes
jack spoke the new conner, in gas
ping manner, at the same time holding out
both of his hands. Hc choked and STAN
mered, but presently gained strength to add:
ooh 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 hand.
'Never mind, Sol It's all right"
No, mop cried Gordon cit isn't right;
it never can be right. Oh, what can I do :?
Jack, if | could only go back to where was
this morning! My God (! I beat your child
for trifing thing, and you have saved mine
from terrible death: saved him. almost at
the expense of your own life. Kill me if
you will Beat me, Jack. Do anything
you like, but only forgive, SO that this saw
ing act of yours shant be always like heap
of Goals upon my head p
And then with sudden impulse, under the
influence Of such an emotion as he had never
before experienced, Jack Sprout said: .
'Solomon, I tell you it's all right. You
have no more reason to thank God that
saved your child than I have When I went
from my house I was full of wrath and mad
ness, and curses were upon my. lips and in
my heart. | should have sought such re-
vcnge as the wild beast seeks Is it not bet
ter that found your little Andy in the flood ?
And is it not better that my great strength
was used in saving his life? ! forgive you
from the bottom ofmy heart. And now I
say it's all right p 5.,..
And SO was cemented friendship holy
and lasting.
Seemingly slight perturbations in the cur
rent Of mans life sometimes work marvel
Gus changes for good or ILL.,
ABBY said Jack Sprout-it was late
IN the evening, and they had been sitting for
some time without speaking-s.I believe I
am Converted as ais Fart 81 RI
Jack p .-s4ss tl 4s
eyes, Abby, I am converted. Saul of
Tarsus, that you read to Freddy about last
Sunday, was not more suddenly brought to
light than I have been. Really and truly
there is more virtue in kindness than in en-
nifty it blesses everything and everybody.
He who bestows it is as much blessed as he
who receives it."
And then the wife, with her arm placed
around her husbands neck, gently, kindly