The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-04-11
MY FRIEND JASPER.
BY SARAH P. BRIGHAM.

Jasper Monroe's home was just across
the street, opposite mine.
Jasper and / were born on the same
day. We grew up as like in size as we
We're in age, and no two boys were ever
more closely united in heart than we.
There was hardly any sacrifice we would
not have made for each other. One of
our favorite play-places was pile of
rocks about half a mile from home,
known as Sharp Nose Crag." The
Crag 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 cry, into the
swift-running wafer 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 my own
strength to save, / shouted for 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. Obeyinga resistless
impulse, leaped in after him.
It was desperate struggle-in the
strong current, and in the frightened
clutch of drowning boy, How came
outalive is mystery to this day. But
good Providence aided me, and my fran
tic efforts kept us both above water till
we drifted some distance below, where
the river grew broader and shallower,
and could touch the bottom with my
feet.
But here the water ran even swifter
than before, for we were just at the en-
trance of ssthe rapids" under the cliff.
Sunk to our necks as we were, it was inn
possible either to wade or swim. Jasper
was nearly exhausted. ! clung to.him,
and screamed again for assistance.
Fortunately, my first outcry 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
adventure 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 for what / had done, and !
found myself exalted into hero.
Jasper's gratitude was deep and sin
cere. should not be alive now but
for you. shall never forget it as long
as 1 live"
When we appeared at school again, he
could not refrain from lionizing me
among my mates, and pointing me out
as his benefactor. "Boys," said he,
"here's the boy that never fersakes a
fIiendl He staked his life for mine,
and won by his pluck. Three cheers for
Royal Hooper, the bravest and best fel-
low among usp
Hurrahl hurrahl hurrahl' re-
sp0nded 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 l were drawn even closer to
each other than before, and it seemed
that nothing could disturb the strong
friendship that existed between us. Fol-
months we were inseparable,-
Two hearts Sla that I beat t as ss-sne one" '''A''
1t was nv own folly that provoked
the first discord. One day we were re-
turning from school. I had inst taker
tbe nri2e for Reclamation and was tool
inc uncommonly merry2nerbans a Lift lit
tie self-important. As we stonned a mo
nent under the shade of a bic oak ire,
by the roadside, / said iokingly,-