The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-09-18

boots and throw aside his coat, he
leaped down into the angry food. He
caught the boy in his arms and then
istruck out for the shore. It was q
mighty conflict but the strong man per-
severed. more than once those who
had gathered upon the rocks and upon
the shore had reason TO fear that nei-
ther the man nor the boy would come
forth alive, but Jack held his own
against the mad torrent and finally
reached the shore, where many hands
were ready to help him. Az for him
self, few minutes action assured him
that he was able TO walk, and he sus-
tanned no injury save n 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.
And when Jack Sprout Ind regained
his breath aud was able to speak, he
looked to see the boy he had saved,
and he saw Andy Gordon, n bright
eyed, curly-headed, fair-faced boy, not
n year older than was his son Freddy.
Where's papa?" asked the drip
ping child.
"He is coming" answered some one
the crowd.
Jack looked up and saw Solomon
Gordon coming-Solomon, pale and
teror-stricken; and with all possible
haste he seized his coat and boots and
hurried away. He could not meet
Solomon Gordon then.
Mercy! what il it, Jack 2"
Mrs. Sprout was alarmed: Her hus-
band was dripping wet, his step was
tottcring, his breathing was labored,
and there was liyid mark on his fore
head, as though he had received a
heavy blow.
1t is nothing, Abby"
Has Solomon"
"Pshaw! Dye think Sol. Gordon
could have done this? / have been in
the river. 4 little boy had fallen from
the bridge right into the food beneath
the falls. ] jumped in and brough:
him out"
"Aliye 2"
"Yes, alive and unhurt."
"Oh. thank God! Whose child wns
it, Jack p
Don't stop to ask questions now.
Abby, but i..akc me cup of hot,
istrong ten, while / get on some dry
clothes Ny eoul! ] think / had u
narrow dodge of it r
Jack put ON dry garments, ard when
he had rested awhile, he drank his tea,
and in the course of an hour, al traces
Of exhaustion had passed away.
Il tell you, Abby, / have had n
good many tough jobs in my days. but
/ never had one like that. 4 weaker
man than could neye, have brought
ont that child alive"
'Oh, how grand it is Jack, to use
ones strength in such q cause! But
whose child was il, Jack? Do you
know
Before Jack could answer, the outer
door was unceremoniously opened,
and Solomon Gordon entered the
apartment. Abby shrank back in
alarm when she saw how pale and ex-
cited the man looked, and how he
trembled, for she did not notice the
most brimming light that shown in his
swollen eyes.
"Jackr spoke the new conner, in a
gasping manner, Mt 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 p
Here the stout man fairly broke down,
and burst into tears.
Jack, almost as much affected as was
his visitor, nj ose and took the extended
hand.
Never mind, Sol. It's all right. /"
mo, nor cried Gordon. cit isn't
right; it never can be right. Oh,
what can l do? Jack, if I could only
go back to where l was this morning
Ny God! 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 any
thing you like, but only forgive, so
that this saving act of yours shan't be
always like heap of Goals upon my
headw
And then with sudden impulse, un-
derNthe influence of usch an emotion
as he had never before experienced,
Jack Sprout said:
Solomon, tell you it's all right.
You have no more reason to thank
God than have. When went from
my house, l was full of wrath and
madness, and curses were upon my
lips and in my heart. I should have
sought such revenge rs the wild beast
seeks. Is it not better that I found
your little Andy in the flood? And is
not better that my great strength was
used III saving mis- life? I forgive
you from the bottom of my heart
And now / say it's all right"
And so was cemented o. friendship
holy and lasting.
Seemingly slight perturbations in
the current of q mans life sometimes
work marvellous changes for good OF
| i'll.
"Abby," said Jack Sprout-it was
late in the evening, and they had been
sitting for some time without speaking
- believe I am converted"
"JackH z
! "Yes, Abby, I am converted. Saul
of Tarsus, that you read to Freddy
about last Sunday, was not more sud
denly brought to light than I have
been. Really and truly there is more
virtue in kindness than enmity; il
blesses everything and everybody. He
who bestows it is as much blessed as
he who receives it. "
And then the wife, with her arm