The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-11-11
EBENSBURG PA, SATURDAY NOVEMBER H. 1871

loins. Dismayed by this unexpected OBJ
struction, for the space of a breath or two
the tigress stood at bay, and then, with a
horrible roar, rolled over and over in the
ring. We could hear Bills bones break
beneath her appalling efforts to dislodge
bim, for a sudden silence fell npon the
selfish crowd, that swayed aside from
flight to watch this shocking contest be-
tween undaunted man and untamed brute.
In vain she turned and twisted, reared
and plunged Bill held fast, though the
blood poured from his mouth and blinded
the beasts sight-held fast with the grip
of everlasting fate, till Mr. Kingsley,
snatching loaded pistol from trembling
ruffian at his side, who had just threaten
ed with 1t some woman in his way of
escape, stretched his firm hand, and sent
a bullet straight into the savage creatures
brain. One sharp CONFUSION of lhe b Wy
frame, one final heaving of the burdened
back, and she lay still at last, with Quie.
Bill beneath her crushing weight. Ten
der hands lifted him, and bore his sense
less body to the nearest comfortable place,
and more than one strong man dropped
unshamed tears over the manned comrade,
who had SO gallantly sacrificed his own
life for others; for, if not companionable
Bill had done many kindly deed for his
associates In his own obtrusive way, that,
when his hour of trial came, the toughest
remembered. Turn by turn we watched
by him, but we knew that nothing more
could be done for him in this world. -
Even in his agony he was so grateful for
the interest manifested that it seemed, as
if he wondered that any had cared for
him, and it was touching to hear him gasp
out between his throes of anguish, show
good we all were to him -
But the end came soon. The doctor
told bin, and he heard it calmly and bore
it bravely. Mr. Kingsley and l were be-
side him a few moments after, when he
turned to the former and earnestly said ::
"I think have made it even, sir"
"What, Bill 2"
"Why, you know, sir, took life !;
and | reckon l saved one the other day,
didn't l p
Mr.. Kingsley took the cold hand in
both of his own. eyes, indeed, Bill !;
many more than one, perhaps, and gave
yours, tool"
''Tten you think it's even g.
Eyes, Bill, do"
''And do you believe that He, the great
Judge, who knows all things, will hold it
even, too ?"
eyes, Bill, do think so; for he is full
of mercy and loving kindness"
''But he is just. too, murmured the
dying voice ''for heard preacher once
say He wanted an eye for an eye, tooth
for tooth, and then knew | must some-
how give Him life for the one [ slew,
and I've always been lookin' out for the
chance. 1t was Ion Gcomin'; but | got
ii at last and L thank him for lettin' me
make it even"
MIR. Kings ey was crying like a child.
"My good old Bill" he said, 81 am SO
sorry 10 lose you. You have been faith
ful servant, and l shall miss you more
than | can say"
A glad light flashed in the dim eyes,
and, in spite o. the exquisite pain of every
movement, he made one supreme effort,
and lifted Mr.. Kingsley's hand to his
white lips.
"God bless you, sirl" he gasped out
"You took me, when all the world kicked
me out, and you've never given ME a
mean word God bless you! you're all
in life I'm loath to leave !" Then be lay
silent for little while, and we thought
he was asleep, and would pass away so !;
but suddenly he was looking at Us wide
awake, and spoke out firm and clear:
eAnd there was such lot of little uns
that day, too! It's all right knO,o
I've made it even -
AND then the peace of death settled
down on the pale face of Quiet Bill
Harper's Weekly.