The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-15
A LITTLE HERO.

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hero of the true story l am about to relate
but no longer "little, as the perilous adven-
ture which made him famous in his native
town happened several years ago.
Our hero was then bright active boy Of
fourteen-the son of mechanic. In the
severe winter of 1885, the father worked in
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, and
no traces of the little footpath remaining
Yet he ran on as fast as possible, plunging
through drifts, keeping himself warm by Wig
orous exercise, and brave, cheerful thoughts
When in the midst of the meadow, fully hall
mile from the house, he suddenly felt him.
self going down, down!
He had fallen into we'll He sank
down, down into the dark, icy water, but
rose Immediately to the surface. There be
grasped hold of plank which had fallen
into the well as he went down. One end oil
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 speeches., but all in
vain, as it was impossible to make himself
heard from such depth, and at such a dis
lance from any house. So at last be con.
cluded that if he was saved at all he must
save himself, and begin 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 pulled of his coat,
and taking out his pocket knife he cut of
his boots, that he might 60 to work to great
er advantage. Then, with his feet against
one side of the well, aud his shoulders against
the other, he worked bis way up, by the
most fearful exertion, about half the dis.
lance to the top. Here he was obliged to
pause, to take breath, and gather up his en-.
ergies for the work yet before him. Far
harder was it than all be had gone through,
for the side being from that point covered
with ice, he must cut with his knife grasping-
places for his fingers, slowly and carefully,
all the way up.
1t was almost hopeless attempt, but it
was all that he could do. And here the lit
tie hero lifted up his heart to God and pray
ed 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 much larger measure of calmness
and courage, Strengthening him to work out
his own delverance.
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 shout
ders ere he reached the top.
He did reach it at last-crawled out into
the snow, and laid down for moment to
rest-panting out his breath in little white
clouds on the clear frosty air.
He had been two hours and half in the
well.
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 wondering.
The poor man had to go without his din
ner 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
overcoat 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.
I have not heard of the "hero for two
or three years, but trust he is growing up
into 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 at
the bottom of q well. J