The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1878-05-15
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY l5 1878.

ana DuLLCneQ IL aOOuG IDe olu w.
mans waist.
Then he began to drag out one
or two benches and boxes that
were in the cabin.
Mr.. Nagle noticed how cool and
alert the boy was in spite of his
deadly paleness and trembling.
1--WE had better tie ourselves to
these" be said. "This deck is SO
shattered it will 60 to pieces be-
fore they sec us from the shore" "
Mr.. Nagle, without a word, fol-
lowed his advice. John was not
a Latinist and no poet, but he had
one quality which made him q
leader just then.
A few moments later, the deck
broke up, and Mr.. Nagle found
himself in the rushing current,
but was picked up by one Of the
boats which were out in search Of
the victims,
The banks were lined with pale,
terrified faces. AS be was lifted
on shore, he saw a boy dragged
out of the water, and poor little
woman in black fly to him with a
wild cry.
"I'm all-aii right, mother -
gasped John; and then he cried
on her breast like the child that he
was. II thought Id never see
you again. he sobbed.
Now there had been a stranger
on board,-a queer, wizened little
man with a foxy wig. This man,
who was among the saved, took
up his quarters at the village inn,
and presently there arrived by ex-
press a mysterious engine or
pump, directed to him, which was
placed in the hall way of the inn.
It seemed to have q curious fas-
cination for john. He spent half
his leisure time poring over it,
measuring the tubes with his inch
rule.
In front of the case there was a
square Of plate.gIass. Now it
happened that one day, while
John was relaxing bis mind by a
game of ball in the street, be
threw the ball plump into this
costly bit Of glass.
The other boys ran, and John
ran too,-but only for a few steps.
Then be went to his savings-bank,
and took out the money which
was meant for the holidays. He
presented himself before the old
man, who was looking at his shat
tered glass and taking snuff vio
lently.
81 did that, sir. There is the
money for it. Will it be enough p
ooh, you did it, eh ?" scowling
at him. "Well, give me the
money. What are you eternalIy
prying into my press for, any
how ?"
"It's not a press. It's pump.
I understand it all but that wheel.
I can't make out what that wheel
is there for" starting for it, his
hands in his pockets.
The old man talked TO John
awhile. That evening he called
on Mrs. Steele, and sent up his
card. "Peter Copley, Nachinist." ."
"I've had my eyes on your boy,
ma'am," be said, abruptly, "for
some time. Noticed him the night
of the explosion. Id like to take
him. with me and teach him my
trade. He has q sound, practical
head, that boy"
Mrs. Steele accepted the offer,
and went with her boy.
Twenty years afterwards, Mr.
Nagle, then a judge in the su'
preme Court, tried a case in which
the firm Of Copley and Steel, en-
CINE builders, was plaintiff.
In the coure Of the suit, he be-
came acquainted with the junior
member of the firm, man o1
high standing in his business, and
of equally high repute as a man O.
probity and honor.
One day there was a sudder
recognition.
"John Steele, the ?"-
"Good.for- r-nothirg? Yes," sait
John, with laugh ; "and no bet
ter acquainted with the classics o.
5elzes-lettres than then, judge.
had but one talent, and | CAM
very near burying it for life
Whenever I hear a boy despon(
because he has not a dozen talents