New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-05-01
Hy Friend Jasper.
BY SARAH P. BRIGHAM.

the street, opposite NINE.
Jasper and I 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 pile ofrocks
about half mile from home, known as
Sharp Nose Crag." The "Cragn was
high, and overhung the bank of river.
One day Jasper and had climbed to the
top of these rocks. Stepping too near the
edge, he fell with a cry, into the swift
running water below.
For moment stood terrified. l had
learned to swim. He had not, having,
somehow, natural timidity in the water
that he could not overcome. realized
his danger, but, doubling my own
strength to save, I shouted fo- help as
loudly as could. But there was no one
in sight. I was in agony. Just then
Jasper rose to the surface, striking out
wildly with his arms, the stream rapidly
bearing him away. Obeying resistless
impulse, lcaped IN after him.
1t was desperate struggle-ip the
strong current. and in the frightened
clutch Of drowning boy. How I came
out alive is mystery to this day. But a
good Providence aided me, and my fran
tic efforts kept us both above water till
we driffted some distance below, where the
river grew broader and shallower, and I
could touch the bottom with my teet.
But here the water ran even swifter
than before, for we were just at tie en-
trance of ''the rapids under the cliff.
Sunk to our necks as VIC were, it was i'm
possible either to wade or swim. Jasper
was nearly exhausted. chung 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 I
reached dry land again, was as helpless
rs 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 OWE. life. Everybody praised me for
what l had done, and found myself ex-
a,ted into hero.
Jasper's gratitude was deep and siu-
cere. 81 should not be alive now but
for you. I shall never forget it as long
as l live"
When we appeared at school again, he
could not refrain from ionizing me
among my mates, and pointing me out
us his benefacter. "Boys,' said he 6 here's
the boy that never forsakes friend! 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! hurrah!' re-
sronded every throat on the play
ground and the weight of honor from
the school-boy ovation that received
quite staggered me.
AS might be supposed, after all this,
Jasper and I were drawn even closer to
each other than before, and it seemed
that nothing could disturb the strong
friendship that existed between us. For
months we were inseparable,-
"Two souls with but a single thought,
Two hearts that beat as one"
1t was my own folly that provoked
the first discord. One day we were re-
turning from school. had just taken
the p1ize for defamation, and was feel
ing uncommonly merry,-perhaps little
elf-1mportant. AS we stopped moment
under the shade Of a big oak tree by the
roadside, l said jokingly,-
"Jasp, take off your hat. You should
uncover your head befor your superiors.
You forget that I'm the prize man,
He laughed, and, prompted by spirit
of perverse fun, I pulled his hat from his
head, and tossed it over the fence.
He went after it, still laughing, though
slightly irritated: but as soon us he had
put it on, pulled it off again, and threw
It up into the, tree, where it lodged in
the high branches far out of reach. He
climbed after it with difficulty, and as ]
stood watching, him, said, in a teasing
tone, " You'll never make your mark as
gymnast, Jasp. You are as clumsy as
an elephant continued to laugh at
him till he came down, and by that time
his face was flushed with anger. As soon
as he reached the ground. he walked
straight up to me, seized my hat, and
doubling it together, hurled it, with all
his might over clump of alder bushes
1t fell into little brook just beyond, ane
was soon soaked with water.
had to wade into the stream for my
cap, and returned furious with anger. TIT
quarrel was now fairly kindlcd, and die
not stop to reflect that was entirely t
blame.
''You've spoild my hat!' cried. II
was contemtibly mean in you to throw j
into the water"
s'You began it. You tossed mine int
the tree. Its fair play, and you've got a
0o0d ao vn1, Gave -