Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-08-18

WI II W ItSuSCltdle tue ulInOSJ lie
less boy, while he grasped the oar
and made for the nearest boat
house.
He had scarcely pulled a hun
drcd strokes when he met another
skiff containing two men.
"See here :" cried he, "here's {
a boy that's nearly drowned. Dc
you know who he is ?"
ats quite likely he's my nevvy,'
said one Of the men in a cool and
heartless tone. "That's his skif
you are in, let's see him." and the
man rowed alongside.
"Yes, that's him." said he, peep
ing over the thwarts. "He's alters
getting himself into mischief"
"Where does he live 2" roared
Windham full of wrath at the mans
coolness." "Point out his house,
will you ?"
ats right behind yer-over
there and he pointed to a small
cottage at the edge of the lake,
close by.
Windham turned abruptly, and
shot toward the shore, with his
eyes ever and anon, fixed upon the
helpless form that lay with its sod
den brown hair in the bottom of
the skiff. 1t was some time before
Tom came to himself, so that he
fully realized what had happened,
and who were about him. The
young men had carried to the cot
tage and revived him, and when,
weak from exhaustion, he opened
his eyes, the first person he saw
was Windham.
The poor boy in all his hard life,
had never experienced much that
was beautiful and gentle, and now
the sight of the hero of his devo-
tion standing by him and looking
on his face, made him smile in spite
of his weakness. The tears filed
his eyes, and he feebly put out his
hand. Windham took it in both
Of his.
"Did you take me out p said
Tom, in faint voice.
II believe l did, Tom,' said
Windham. "Lie still, now, and
don't talk, and you'll soon be all
right again"
Tom gazed on his gallant pre-
server. His look was more elo-
quent than a thousand words. All |
his childish alteration and boyish |
idolatry of manly strength, all he
could feel of affectionate gratitude
spoke in his eyes, and beamed from
every feature of his face. How
could he ever do anything for his
hero, to show how much he thank
ed and loved him-that tall, strong,
young athlete!
Windham was touched by the |
look of the boy, and SEEM
ed to divine what was in his mind. |
"There, / must go now, my little
fellow" he said. "Like enough |
you'll save my life sometime, and |
we'll be even. Goodbye"
The night came on. Tom was
now out of pain, but very weak.
He lay staring up into the darkness
of Windham, and wonder
ng what he could do to serve him
when he got out again. To-mor-
'ow the race would be rowed, and
hen Windham would go away.
How deserted he would feel
hen J The brave, handsome
champion of st. GATHERINGS had
lindled his heart, and brought a
glory into his dull life and when
he went the world would be empty
md lonesome. Tom even thought
If going secretly after him and
staying with him. If he would,
he would willingly be his slave.
Nine o'clock strickland so did
en-and so eleven-and so did
welve-and yet Tom did not sleep.
lie lay nervously awake, thinking
md pondering and imagining.
All was still save the chirping of
he crickets and the voice of the
rogs on the shores of the lake.
The moon rose, and pale beams
anne in through the tops of the tall
pruce trees, and trembling upon
he rough floor.
Still Tom thought and thought.
iust at three o'clock in the morn