Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-15
NO. So.
#isftllaneuns.
A LITTLE HERO.

In the city of Hartford, Ct.. lives the he
ro of the true story am about to relate
but no longer "littIe, as the perilous ad-
venture which made him famous in his
native town happenened several years
ago.
Our hero was then a bright active boy
ffourteea-the son of mechanic. In
the severe winter of 1885 he worked in a
| factory about mile from his home, and
every day the boy carried him his dinner
across piece of meadow land. One keen
frosty day, he found the snow on this
meadow nearly two feet deep. aad no
trace Of the ioot-path remaining. Yet he
ran on as fast as possible. plunging
through drifts, keeping himself warm by
vigorous exercise, and brave. cheerful
thoughts. When in the midst of the mead
ow, fully half mie from the house, he
suddenly felt himself going down, down
He had fallen into a well. He sank
down, down into the dark. icy water, but
rose Immediately to the surface. There
he grasped hold of plank which had
fallen into the well as he went down. One
end of this rested on the bottom of the
well-the other rose about four feet above
the surface of the water The poor lad
shouted for help until he was almost
speechless. but all in vain, as it was i'm
possible TO make himself heard FROM such
Il depth, and at such distance from any
house. So at last he concluded that if he
was saved at all he must save himself,
and begin at once, as he was getting ex-
tremely cold in the water. So he went
to work.
First he drew himself up the plank, and
braced himself against the top OF it and the
wall of the well. which was of brick and
quite smooth. Then he pulled off his coat
and taking out his pocket knife he cut off
his boots, that he might go to work to
greater advantage Then with his
feet braced against one side of the
well, and his shoulders against the
other he worked his way up. by the most
fearful exerton, about half the distance to
the top. Here he was obliged to pause. to
take breath, and gather up his energies
for the work yet before him. For harder
was it than all he had gone through, for
The side being from that point covered
with ice, he must cut with his knife grasp
ing places for his fingers, slowly and care
fully, ali the way up. |, sas almost Il
hopeless attempt. but it was all that he
could do. And here the little hero lifted
up his heart to God and prayed fervently
for help fearing that he could never get
out alone. Doubtless the Lord heard his
voice calling from the deep. and pitied
him. He wrought no miracle to save
him, but he breathed into his heart yet
larger measure of calmness and cOur; ge,
strengthening him to work out his own
deliverance.
After this, the little hero cut his way up
ward inch by inch. His wet stockings
froze to the ice and kept his feet from
slipping. but his shirt was quite worn
from his shoulders ere he reached the top
He did reach it at last-crawled out into
the snow, and lay down for moment to
rest painting out his breath In little white
clouds on the clear frosty air. He had
been two hours and half in the we'll His
clothes soon froze to his body, but he no
longer suffered with cold. as full of Joy
and thankfulness, he ran to the factory,
where his father was waiting and Won
dering.
The poor man had to 60 without his
dinner, that day, but you may be sure he
cared little about that, while listening
with tears in his eyes TO the thrilling story
his son had to relate to him. He must
have been proud of the boy, that day. as
he wrapped him in his own warm over
coat and took him home to "mother." And
how that mother must have wept and
smiled over the lad, and kissed him and
thanked God for him - Grace Greenwood