Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-06-05

river at this point. Several ei MS pa-
pills were on board, coming back from a
match of baseball among them, Clsr-
ence and John.
when half way across the river, there
was a loud explosion, and MIR. Nagel
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 riv-
er. There was a frantic struggle for
lie. Then the portion of the wreck ne
was on hoaled down the stream.
About dozen Of the passengers
clung 10 1t. The night fell fast. The
shore was but fast-rccedins dark line'
with red twlnklng lights.
Upon the shattered deck cabin hung a
single life-preserver. John saw it,
climbed like cat 10 where 1t was, and
brought it down.
Give me shat y shrieked Clarence.
Oh, give it to me ! can't swim =
It's for this woman
Give 1t to me. say! Help, help !!
We're drowHng
He seized the life-prcservcr. John
quietly took 1t from him, and buttoned
it 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
tho boy was, in spite of his deadly pale
ness and trembling.
We had better tie ourselves to these, ,
he SAID. This deck is so shattered 1t
will go to pieces before they sec US from
shore
Mr.. Naglc, without a word. followed
hi. advice. John was no Latinest and
no poet, but he had one quality which
made him leader just then.
A few moments later, the deck broke
up and Mr.. Nagle found himself in the
rushing current, but was picked up by
ono Of the boats which were out in
search Of the victims.
The banks were lined with pale, ter
rifed faces. AS he was lifted on shore,
he saw boy dragged out OF the water,
and poor little woman IN black, ny to
him with wild cry.
I'm all-all right, mother gasped
Jehn and then he cried en- her breast
like the child that he was. i thought
I'd never see you again y he sobbed.
Now there had been stranger on
board-a queer, winzened little man
with foxy wig. This man who was
among the saved took up his quarter;
at the village inn, and presently there
arrived by express a mysterious engine
or pump directed TO him, which was
placed in the hallway Of the inn.
1t seemed to have a curious tascina'
ton for John. He spent half his lels'
ure time poring over it-mensuring 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 hi;
mind by game ofball in the street, he
threw the ball plump INTO this costly
bit OF glass.
The other boys ran, and John ran toe
but only for few steps. Then he
went home, went to the savings bank
and took out the money which va;
meant for Christmas. He presented
himself before the old man, who was
looking at his shattered glass and tax
ing snuff violently.
L did that, sir, There is the money
to pay for it. Will it be enough =
oh, you did it chg scowling at him
We'll, give me the none y. What arr
you eternally prylng into my press for
anyhow p
It's not press. It's a pnmp. | un
dersland it all but that wheel. cam
make cut what that wheel il there for,
starting at it, his hands in his pockets.
The old man talked to Jehn while
That evening he called on Mrs. Steel
and sent up his card: Peter Copley
Machinist.'
l've hade my eye on your boy, ma
am, he said abruptly, for some time
Netcss him the night OF the explosion
I'd like to take him with me and teacl
him my trade. He has a sound, practi
cal head, that boy
Mrs. Steele accepted the offer, ant
went with her boy.
Twenty years aiterward, Mr.. Nagle
then Judge in the State Suprsm
Court, tried case in which the firm G
Cspley & Steele, engine builders, wa
plaintiff.
In the course Of the suit he becam
acquainted with the junior member G
the firm, man Of high standing in hi
business, aud of equally high reputc q
a man ofprobity and honor.
One day there was sudden resogn
tion.
John Steele, the---'
! 'Good-for-nothing9 Yes SAID job
with laugh; and no better acquair
? tod ,rith the classics or beiles-Leffers tbs