The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-12-03
Hancock Savings Bank
4 LITTLE HERO.

In the city of Hartford, Conn, lives the
hero of the true story am about to re-
late-but no longer little, as the peril
GUS adventure which made him famous
in his native town happened several
years ago.
Our hero was then bright, active boy
of fourteen, the son of a mechanic. In
the severe winter of 1885, the father
worked in factory, about a 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 his meadow nearly two feet
DEEP and no traces Of the little footpath
remailing. Yet he ran on as fast as
possible plunging through drifts, keep
Ing hims, IL warm by vigorous exercise,
and brave, cheerful thoughts.
When in the midst of the meadow,
fully half "a mile 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 hoarse and almost speechless, but all
in vain, as it was impossible to make him
self heard from such depth, and at such
distance from any house. So at last he
concluded that if sIe was saved at all he
must save himself, and began at once, as
he was getting extremely 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 pull
ed off his coat, and taking out his pock
et-knife he cut off his boots, that he
| might 90 10 work to greater advantage.
Then, with his feet against one side of
the well, and his shoulders against the
other, lie worked his way up, by the
most fearful exertion, about half the
distance to tie top. Here lac was oblig-
ed TO pause, tc take breath and gather
up his energies for the work yet befole
him Far harder was it than all he had
gone through, for the side being from
that point covered with ice, he must cut
wilh his knife grasping places for his
fingers, slowly and carefully, all she way
up.
1t was almost a hopeless attempt, but
it was all that he could do. Aud here
the little hero lifted bis hears to God and
prayed feryently for help, fearing that
be could meyer get ont 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 caImness and courage,
strengthening him TO work out his own
| deliverance.
After this, the little hero cut his way
upward, inch ny inch. His wet stock
ings 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 mo-
ment to rest, painting cut his breath in
little white clouds on the clear. frosty
air
He had been two hours aud q half in
the we'll
His clothes soon froze to his body, but
he no longer suffered with cold, as full
of Joy and tlankfulness. he ran to the
factory, where his father was waiting
and wondering.
The poor maa had to so without his
dinner that dav, but you may be sure he
cared little about that, while listening
with tears III his eyes to the thrilling
story his son had to relate to him.
lie must have been proud of the boy
that day, as he wrapped hinA in his own
warm overcoat, and took him home to
"Gother"
And how that mother must have wept
and smiled over the lad. and kissed him,
ana thanked God for him.
have not heard of the 'little hero
for two or three years, bat | trust he is
growing up into a brave, heroic man,
and l hope he will never forget the
Heavenly friend who did not forget him
in the hour OF his great need.
There is an old saying that truth lies
a. the bottom of "a well.
trust that this brave boy found and
brought up from there this truth: God
helps those who help in -ins Ives. G g.
JENNY" said Scotch minister.
stooping from his pulpit, ''have ye got
peen about yel" "Yes. minister. a"
'-Fhen stick it into that sleeping brute
o a man % yours by your side"
OSE thoroughly gooi-liunored person
in house will do more to preserve both
the moral ani physical health OF the il.
mates than a fashionable physician aud
a popular preacher together.
Il say, Pat, what are you about
geepjuty out fha roonZ" No" an