Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-05-24


teacher. !.
81 did, sir" replied the boy, looking
stupid again.
The next day, about dusk, Mr.. Nagle
was on the terry-boat which crossed THE
river at this point. Several Of his pupils
were on board, coming back from match
of baseball; among them, Clarence and
John.
When half way across the river, there
was loud explosion. and Mr.. Nagle found
himself clinging to the deck rail, his legs
in the water.
The boiler had burst with such force
that the boat was shattered. A portion Of
the deck had parted from the hulk as the
latter sank to the bottom Of the river.
There was a frantic struggle for life.
Then the portion of the wreck he was on
floated down the stream.
| About dozen of the passengers chung
to it, The night fell fast. The shore was
but fast-receding dark line, with red
twinkling lights.
Upon the shattered deck cabin hung a
single life-preserver. John saw it, climb
ed like cat to where it was, and brought
it down.
"Give me that!'' shrieked Clarence.
sob, give it to mel can t swim!''
''It's for this woman"
''Give it to me, I say! Help, help!
We're. drowning!''
He seized the life-preserver. John
quietly took it from him, and buttoned Il
about the old woman's 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 pale
ness and trembling.
"We had better tie ourselves to these y
he said. '.This deck is so shattered it will
go to pieces before they see us from
shore.''
Mr.. Maggie, without word, followed his
advice. John was no I.atinist and no poet,
but he had one quality which made him a
leader just then.
i A few moments later, the deck broke up
and Mr.. Maggie found himself in the rush
ing.current, but was picked up by one of the
boats which were out in search Of the vic
Tins.
The banks were lined with pale, terrii-
ed faces. AS he was lifted on shore, he
saw boy dragged out Of the water, and a
poor little woman in black, fly to him with
a wild cry.
"I'm all-all right, MOTHER" gasped
John and then he cried on her breast like
the child that he was. II thought I'd
never see you again!'' he sobbed.
| Now there had been stranger on board
"a queer, winzened little man with afoxy
wig. This man who was among the saved
| took up his quarters at the village inn, and
presently there arrived by express mys-
FERROUS engine or pump directed to him ;,
which was placed in the hallway Of the
inn.
1t seemed to have a curious fascination
for John. He spent half his leisure time
porting over it measuring the tubes with
his inch rule.
In front of the case there was a square
of plate-glass. Now it happened that one
day, while John was relaxing his mind by
a game of ball in the street, he threw the
ball plump into this costly bit of glass.
Tie other boys ran, and John ran too
but only for few steps. Then he went
home, went to the savings bark and took
out the money which was meant for
Christmas. He presented himself before
the old man, who was looking at his shat
tered glass and taking snuff violently.
II did that, sir. There is the money to
pay for it, Will it be enough? p
''Oh, you did it eh 20 scowling at him.
"Well, give me the money. What are you
eternally prying into my press for, any
how ?"
"It's not a press. It's pump. 1 I'M
derstand it all but that wheel. l can't
make out what that wheel is there for"
staring at it, his hands in his pockets.
The old man talked to John while.
That evening he called on Mrs. Steele and
sent up his card: '.Peter Copley, Machi-
MIST"
'.I've had my eye on your boy, ma 'am,''
he said abruptly, ''for some time. Motto
ed him the night of the explosion. I'd
like to take him with me and teach him
my trade.-He has asound, practical head,
that boy"
Mrs. Steele accepted the offer, and went
with her boy.
Twenty years afterward, Mr.. Maggie,
then Judge in the State Supreme Court,
tried case in which the firm Of Copley &
Steele, engine builders, was plaintiff.
In the course of the suit he became ac-
quainted with the junior member of the
firm, man Of high standing in his bust
ness, and of equally high repute as man
of probity and honor. %
One day there was sudden recogni-
ton.
"John Steele. the"
sGood-for-nothing Yes" said John
with a laugh; ''and no better acquainted
with the classics or beIles-le letters than then,
Judge. had but one talent, and came
very near burying it for life. Whenever
I hear boy despond because he has not a
dozen talents. say :-"Look for one talent,
boy! Look for one !"-Rebecca Harding
Douis, IN Youths Companion.
BE AGREEABLE AT, MEALs.-Every
one can do something to add to the social
life at the table. If one cannot talk, he