The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-11-17

the bridge that spanned the river just
below the falls he heard loud cries of
alarm, and upon hurrying forward he
found that boy had fallen from one of
the projecting timbers into the water.
He looked over the railing and saw the
little fellow Just coming to the surface
of the fosming, boiling flood-a curly
headed boy, just about the age of his
own darling Freddy-stretching forth
his tiny arms in an agony of despair. 1t
was terrible place, that seething, roar
ing pool, where the waters of the great
river came pouring down from the high
dam; but Jack did not hesitate; he for
got his enemy-forgot everything but
the danger of the little one-and, only
stopping to kick off his boots and throw
aside his coat, he leaped down into
the angry flood He caught the boy in
his arms and then struck out for the
shore. 1t was a mighty conflict, but the
strong man persevered. More than once
those who had gathered upon the rocks
had reason to fear that neither the man
nor tie child would come forth alive;
but Jack held his own against the mad
torrent and finally reached the shore,
where many hundreds were ready to help
him. AS for himself, few minutes rest
so far restored him that he was able to
walk; and he had sustained no injury
save few trifling bruises. And as for
the boy, he had come forth in safety, for
Jack had held him high above the water
during all the time of his struggle.
And when Jack Sprout had regained
his breath and was able to speak, he
looked to see the boy he had saved and
he saw that it was Andy Gordon, a
bright-eyed, curly haired, red-faced boy,
not year older than was his son Freddy.
Where's papa?" asked the dripping
child. .-
o." He is coming" answered some one
in the crowd.
Jack looked up and saw Solomon Cor
don coming-Solomon pale and terror
stricken-and with all possible haste he
seized his coat and boots and hurried
away. He could not meet Solomon Cor
don then.
"Mercy! What is it, Jack?"
Mrs Sprout was alarmed. Her hus-
band was dripping wet, his step was tot
tering, his breathing was labored and
there was livid mark upon his forehead
as though he had received heavy blow.
cit is nothing, Abby"
-" Has Solomon"
Pshaw! Dye think Solomon Gordon
could have done this? l have been in
the river A little boy had fallen from
the bridge right into the flood beneath
the falls. l jumped in and brought him
out" n..
Alive?" .-.....
" Yes, alive and unhurt," replied Jack
"Oh, thank God! Whose child was it,
Jack?"
Don't stop to ask questions now,
Abby, but make me a cup of hot, strong
tea, while l get on some dry clothes. My
soul! l thinK | had narrow dodge of
itm
Jack put on dry garments, and when
he had rested awhile he drank his tea
and i'll the course of an hour all traces of
exhaustion had passed away.
81 tell you, Abby, l have had good
many tough jobs in my day, but never
had one like that before. A weaker man
than could never have brought out that
child alive"
ooh, how grand it is, Jack, to use ones
strength in such a cause. But whose
child was it? Do you know?"
Before Jack could answer, the outer
door was unceremoniously opened, and
Solomon Gordon entered the apartment
Abby shrank back in alarm when she saw
how pale and excited the man looked,
and how he trembled, for she did not no.
tice the moist, trimming light that shone
in his swollen eyes. I..... ....
Jack" spoke the new conner, in a
gasping manner, at the same time hold
ing out both of his hands. He choked
and stammered, but presently gained
strength to add: ooh, my God what can
l say! Jacki Jackw Here the stout
man fairly broke down, and burst into
tears.
Jack, almost as much affected as was
his visitor, arose and took the extended
hand. ..4
"Never mind, Sol. It's all right"
ono, no." cried Gordon. /" 1t isn't
right. 1t never can be right. Oh, what
can l do Jack, if l could only go back
to where l was this morning! My God!
beat your child for trifling thing, and
you have saved mine from terrible
death, saved him almost at the expense
of your own life. Kill me if you will
Beat me, Jack. Do anything you like,
only forgive me, so that this saving act
of yours sha'n't be always like heap of
Goals upon my head!" formulated.
And then with a sudden impulse-un-
der the influence of an emotion such as
he had never before experienced Jack
Sprout said: ...|
"Solomon, l tell you it's all right
You have no more reason to thank God
that saved your child than l have.
When went forth from my house l was
full of wrath and madness, and curses
were upon my lips and in my heart.
should have sought such revenge as the
wild beast seeks. Is it Dot better that l
found your little Andy in the food; and
is it not better that my great strength
was used in saving his life? forgive
you, SOL, from the bottom of my heart
And now, say, it's all rightp ...
And so was cemented friendship
holy and lasting.
Seemingly slight perturbations in the
current of mans life sometimes work
marvellous changes for good or ill.
Abby" said Jack Sprout-it was late
in the evening, and they had been sitting