The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-03-05
A Little Hero.

In the city OF Hartford, Conn, lives the
hero OF the trne story ann about 10 relate
but no longer little "a the perilous AL
venture which made him ia mous I'm his mo.
tive town happened several years AGO.
Our hero was then a bright. active hoy
OF fourteen-the.son Of mechanic. In
the severe winter Of 1885 the father work.
cd i'm a factory about "A mile from his
home, and every day the boy carried him
his dinner across "A piece OF meadow
land.
one keen, frosty day he found the snow
on this meadow nearly two feet deep. and
no traces Of the little foot-path Remaining.
Yet ne ran as fast as possible. plunginp
through drifts, keeping himself wa m by
vigorous exercise, and brave cheerful
thoughts.
When in the midst of the meadow
nearly half a mile from home. he suddenly
felt himself going down, down.
He had fallen into a well. He sank
down. down into the dark. icy water. bur
rose Immediately to the surface. There
he grasped hold OF a 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.
was hoarse and almost speeches but an
in vain, as il was Impossible TO make him.
sell heard from such depth. aud at such
a distance from any house. SO at last he
concluded that ii he was saved al all he
must save himself. and began at once, as
he was getting extremely cold in the water
so he went 10 work.
First he drew himselfup the plank. and
braced himself against the wall ofthe well.
which was OF brick. and quite smooth.
Then me pulled of his coat, and taking
out his pocket-knife, he cut of his boots
that he might go 10 work 10 greater adj
vantage. Then. with his feet against one
side of the we'll and his shoulder against
the other, he worked himself up. by
the most fearful exertion, about one-halt
the distance 10 the top. Here he was
obliged 10 pause 10 take breath and gather
up his energies for the work yet before
him. Far harder was ii than all he had
gone through. for. the side being from
that point all covered with ice. he must cut
with his knife graspng pla e. for his fin
gers slowly an carefully all tn way up.
twas almost hopeless attempt, but It
was all that he could do. And here the
little hero lifted up his heart 10 God and
prayed feryently for help, fearing that he
could never get out alone.
Doubtless the Lord heard his voice call
ing from the deep, and pitied him. lie
breaihed into his heart a yet larger meas
ure Of calmnesS and courage. and strength
ened him to work out his own deliver
ance.
Alter this our little hero cut his wav up
ward inch by inch. His wet stockings
froze 10 the ice and kept his feet from slip
ping, but his shirt was quite worn IRON
his shoulders ere be reached the top. lie
did reach IL at last, crawl,d out into the
snow, and laid down Tor moment TO rest,
painting out his breath IN little white
clouds on The clear, frosty air.
His clothes soon iroze 10 his body. but
he no longer suffered with cold. as full OF
JOY and thankfulness, he ran 10 the factory,
where his father was waiting and wonder
ing.
The poor man had to 60 withouthis din
ner thar day, but you may be sure he
cared little about that. " lille listening with
tears in his eyes 10 the thrilling story
which his son had to relate to him.
| have not heard Of the "herO" for two
or three years, but trust that he Is grow
ing up into a brave. heroic man, and
hope he will never forget the Heavenly
+ riend who did not forget him In the hour
Of his great need.
There is an old saying that truth lies q.
the bottom OF well.
trust that this brave boy found and
brought mp from there this truth God
helps those who help themselves. y
Grace Greenwood