The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-05-19

angry face. A few quick strides had
brought his father there.
$50 you have been to the river, after
all that said." -g.
The boy lifted q pale face and fright
ened eyes. i
"Didn't tell you not to 60 to the
river?" IL
A vice-like grip was already on his
soft little arm.
"Yes, sir" came through quiverlng
lips.
"And you went for all!'
"But, father"
mot a woru, SIR: 1 told sou ,lo. ~
60 to the river, didn't I ?"
eddie Wheeler" The poor child
tried to explain.
II don't want to hear about Eddie
Wheeler. He can't excuse your tiisobe-
diencs. Come, sir, we'll settle this
business!" and he dragged the white
faced boy after him, up-stairs, to the
garret, and taking down a rod, swung it
in the air above his head.
80 father! Don't! Let me tel you!'
A look, almost like despair, was in
the boys face. Mr.. Ellis remembers 1t to
this day; and will remember i to the
day Of his death.
II don't wish to hear any excuses"
was replied, as the lifted rod came down
upon the shrinking child, witha stroke
that made every nerve quiver with
pain.
30 father!"
Once more the mild, appealing look,
so full of agony, was lifted to the stern
face above him but lifted in vain. A
Second cruel stroke fell, and then rain
Of strokes, until the fathers sense Of
pity, intrudlng between anger and un-
forgiving justice, stayed his arm. He
went down stairs, and left the boy lying
on the floor, as he had dropped from his
hand-motionless as if life wete extinct.
He met the pale, suffering mother be-
low-she loved the boy tender y. and had
felt every smarting blow-lut passed
her without word. She had seen Willie
as she encountered his father at the
door, and understood the meaning of
this heavy punishment.
Mr.. Ellis went out on to the porch to
breathe the free air and cool the sudden
excitement under which he had been
laboring. As he shut the door behind
him, in a kind OF instructive effort to
separate himself from painful scene,
he stood face with Mr.. Wheeler. A
hand grasped his hand In quick,
strong pressure.
"It was brave act, sir! He's noble
boy! Where is he?"
II dont't understand you," said Mr..
Ellis looking bewildered.
Didn't he tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"How Ire sprang into the river and
saved my little Eddie's life"'
II heard nothing of it."
There was a choking sensation in Mr..
Elliss throat-his voice was faint and
husky.
"And he didn't tell you! Brave, noble
boy! He came over to play with Eddie;
and Eddie wanted to 60 down to the
river; but Willie said he couldn't go t'
the river. l heard Eddie coaxing him
but Willie was firm. because he said you
had told him not to go. was so pleas
ed at his obedient spirit. Well, l LOST
sight of them after little while; but
az learn, Eddie would go down to the
river, and your boy followed him, bu
kept at distance from the water
Instead of climbing over the logs ant
barrels, or getting into the boats, he sa
10y himself away off. Then, sir, N.Y.
Eddie, in leaning over the river, slipped
aud fell in; and your boy, instead O
running away, half frightened out
his senses, as most children Of his ag
would have done, sprang down to tn
wharf, and into the water after Eddie
wondered they were not both drown
ed. 1t was only in Cots mercy tina
they were saved. When the man wh'
saw what happened got to the plaes
and looked over the dock into the water
there was Willie, holding on to ring II
one Of the logs with his right hand, an
clinging to Eddie with his left. Sue
courage and presence Of mind in bo.
almost surpasscs belief! Where is he
He ran off home as soon as the ma
lifted him from the water. l mus
thank him for his noble act.'
At this moment, the door opcnin
into the porch swung back, an
the white face Of Mrs. Ellis locke
out.
40 husbandr' she exclaimed, in
voice of terror, "come to Willie! quick!
Mr.. Ellis followed his wife, and til
neighbor hurried after them. III
: mother had found her boy lying insei
: sible on the garret floor, and, liftin
him in her arms, had brought Iii
down stairs, and laid him, in his We
clothes. on her own bed.
AS Mr.. Ellis came into the room, !
. saw the deathly face turned toward Il
! door. The sight seemed to blast Ia
vision. He struck his hands togethe
r shut his eyes, ard stood still suddenly.
. nXVill yoI rim for the uoctorn' sa