The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-01-24
Back back! the ice is unsafel'' he

EnOutG1 l.
Edith Trefusis drew back, accord ingIy /
but her father, either not understanding /
the warning or too proud to regard it, |
continued his course, and in another ms |
tant the ice crashsd under his feet and |
he disappeared. After a couple of seconds
he rose again, and, hinging his arms |
" Help Save me-" once more disappeared, |
but this time did not rise again.
Good God he has gone under the |
ice !" said a voice, and in an instant all |
was terror and confusion.
I" Break the ice - shouted one.
q Fetch ladder p said another.
Run for a rope !" exclaimed a third |
A score of suggestions, practicable and !
impracticable, were proffered In a breath; !
but the ringing voice of Richard Pol !
whele was heard above the tumult.
"Silence, all DIR. Hsmlyn, you have
cool head; you tell them what to do. A
gate. quick, and lay it over the holew
Meanwhile, in less time than it takes
to tell it, he had Invested himself of hat,
coat and boots, and, without waiting for
an answer. plunged into the ice-celd
water. Twice he dived, without success.
He had we'll chosen his aid in the doc
tor, quiet, unassuming man, but of iron
he had arisen for the second time a
cou pie of gates had been lifted from
| their hinges and laid one on each side of
the hole. A third time he dived; and
| this time was so long beneath the surface
that dread came over us lest he, too,
should be lost under the ice. But at
last, after what seemed an age. of sus-
pense, he was seen to rise once more.
! Help! Pm done !" he gasped,
DIR. Hamlyn, kneeling on one of the
gates, caught his uplifted hand. Strong
arms were quickly outstretched to help
him.
"No, nc; Philip first" he exclaimed;
and we found that he held Treiusis in
his failing grasp.
Under DR.. Hamlyn's directions they
were both, though with difficulty, lifted
out and laid upon the bank. Sir Philip
was to all appearances beyond earthly
help, and a terrible fear came over us
that Uncle Dick, who was now iuseDsible,
had sacrificed his own life to no purpose.
Never were words more welcome than
DR.. Hamlyn's assurance that he had only
tainted.
Give him some brandy, some of you;
and rub his hands and feet"
Eager hands volunteered for the serv-
ice; but almost ere they could begin
their task he opened his eyes and gazed
around
What's this2 Ali remember now.
But where is Philip? ?" And, shaking
himself like a newfoundland dog, he
rose unassisted to bis feet. Sir Philip
lay on the ground a few feet off, white and
lifeless, his daughter weeping on her
knees beside him. Uncle Dick raised her
with infinite tenderness.
| Nay, don't weep, pretty one; by
Gods help we'll win him back to life vet.
, Now, lads, lend hand. Doctor, bring
him to my place. It is good deal nearer
than his own house, and minutes are
J precious just now"
, Under the doctors guidance coats and
rugs were laid upon one of the gates
and on this rude couch the silent form
was borne up TO the lodge. Uncle Dick
| himself led Edith, tenderly patting the
little hand which lay upon his arm, and
whispering CHEEKY words of hope and
comfort. Quickly we reached the lodge,
and the good doctor at once commenced
the struggle with the grim destroyer.
, For more than an hour the household
was hushed in an awful quietness, each
J hardly daring to speak above a whisper,
} till that tremendous question should be
} decided: " Is it life or death ?" Poor
Edith sat weeping apart, each moment
; adding to her apprehension; while
Howard, almost equally distressed,
/ vainly endeavoredto console her, At last,
| after what seemed an age of agonizing
dread, the door opened and Uncle Dick
: came forth, and went straight to Edith.
God is good to US, my child; your
father will live"
Edith threw herself sobbing on his
breast.
go Mr.. Polwhele, how can I ever
, thank you for your noble, generous
When Pm dryer, my dear, if you
don't mind putting it off little. begin
to realize that Pm slightly damp, and ]
think it might be as well to put on few
: dry clothes. Yon shall tell me about it
: at dinner, my child" and gently touch.
ing her forehead with his lips, he made
his escape.
: Meanwhile, though the rescued man
3 had given to the experienced eye of the
. doctor the welcome promise of life
, there was much still TO do to win him
back to conscious existence. Still the re-
, sources of skill and science were applied
] with unremitting energy; and after g
: while the watchers were rewarded by the
D patient opening his eyes and saying, il
t a feeble voice:
: "Dick, dear Dick Where's Dick d? ]
want to speak to Dick"
r What took place at that interview be
tween the two old friends, so long sew
e cred, none knew save themselves, but
s when some hours later we gathered rounC
7 the well spread board, Philip Tretusi,
s and his daughter sat on either hand o.
s his generous host.
d And surely such a dinner never wa.
8 chronicled. Pen and ink would fail me
o to tell how the two ancient friends
: warmed into youth again under the
? sunshine of love renewed, Wed with each
: other who should best recall the memory
d of youthful pranks and genial recollec
: lions of happy boyish days. And how
/ Uncle Dick, sitting with Edith's little
4 hand in his, and stroking her silkeu hair
d told her what a gay young dog hel
/ father was in those merry days and Sil
:. Philip, not to be behindhand, recounted
S daring exploits and hairbreadth 'scape:
: Of which Uncle Dick had been the hero
: And how Cousin Howard, seated on the
:. other side of Edith, artfully got posses
l sion of her diseDgaged hand and how
n their respective fathers cheerily smiled
t approval. And how, as, all too soen, the
:, clock struck twelve, Richard Polwhelt
n stood up, and, hand in hand with his ole
friend, tr0lled out, in deep rich voice
the good old gong of" Aud Lang Syne"
Should auld acquaintance he fozeot,
o And never broughtto min'7
: Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
d And days O. auld lang syne?
p And how, when the song was ended
8 dear old Parson Pentreath, always al
# honored guest at this Christmas festival
4 folded his hands and, with tears in hi
: happy eyes, said: