Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-21
My Friend Jasper.
BY SARAH Z. BRIGHAM.

Jasper Monroe's home was lust across
the street, opposite nine.
Jasper and were born on the same
day. We grew up as like in size as we
were in age, and no two boys were ever
more closely united in heart than we.
There was hardly any sacrifice we would
not have mde for each other One of
our favorite play places was a pile of rocks
about half a mile from home, known as
Sharp Nose Crag." The +" Crag' was
high, and overhung the bank of a river.
One day jasper and had climbed to the
top OF these rocks. Stepping too near the
edge, he fell with cry, into the swift
running water below.
For moment stood terrified. had
learned to swim. He had not. having
somehow, natural timidity in the water
that he could not overcome. I realized
his danger, but, doubling nv own
strength to save, 1 shouted fo- help as
loudly as could. But there was no one
in sight. was in agony. Just then
jasper rose to the surface, striking out
wildly with his arms, the stream rapidly
bearing him away. Obeying rcsistless
impulse, leaped IN after him.
| 1t was a desperate strugele-in the
strong current. and in the frightened
clutch of drowning boy. How l came
out alive is a mystery to this day. But a
good Providence aided me, and nv fran
tic efforts kept US both above water till
we drifted some distance below, where the
river grew broader and shallower. and 7
could touch the bottom with nv feet.
But here the water ran even swifte1
than before, for we were just at tie en-.
trance of ''the rapids" under the cliff
Sunk to our necks as we were, it was i'm.
possible either to wade or swim. Jaspe,
was nearly exhausted. I clung to him
and screamed again for assistance.
| Fortunately, my first out CRY had been
heard, and now two men ran down the
bank to our rescue. By the time ]
reached dry land again, I was as helpless
as Jasper.
The men carried us home: and we had
not fully recovered from our perilous ad
venture before the story had gone through
the town that Jasper Monroe had fallen
into the river, and Royal Hooper had
saved him from drowning at the risk OF
his own life. Everybody praised me fol
what had done, and found myself ex-
ted into hero.
Jasper's gratitude was deep and sin.
cere. " I should not be alive now bn,
for you. I shall never forget it as lone
as live"
When we appeared at school again, he
could not refrain from lionizine me
among my mates, and pointing me out
as his benefacter. "Boys,'' said he here's
the boy that never forsakes a friendl He
.staked his life for mine, and won by his
pluck. Three cheers for Royal HOOPER
the bravest and best fellow among Us .
"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrahH re-
sronded every throat on the play
ground; and the weight of honor from
the school-boy ovation that I received
quite staggered me.
As might be supposed, after all this
Jasper and I were drawn even closer tc
each other than before, and it seemed
that nothing could disturb the strono
friendship that existed between us. Foi
months we were inseparable,-
Two souls with but single thought
Two hearts that beat as one."
1t was my own folly that provoked
the first discord. One day we were 70
turning from school. I had inst take,
the Prize for defamation, and was feel
ing uncommonly merry,-perhaps . it'll,
self-lmportant. As we stopped momen,