The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-03-23
Help me bring these planks and put
L. L.


than all of you can drag him, only give
him solid footing.'
In five minutes the poor beast had
struggled out, with the help of two or
three planks.
He limped as he was led off. No
body noticed this but John.
Stop moment" he cried, and,
lifting the horses foot, he picked out a
stone from it with little tool which he
took from his pocket; forJohn's pocket
was filled with little tools and queer,
tiny mechanical contrivances
"Who made them, John?n said his
teacher.
81 did, sir''-looking stupid again.
The next day, about dusk, Mr.. Nagle
was on the ferry-boat which crossed the
river at that point Several of his pu-
pills were on board, coming back from q
match of baseball; among them Clar-
ence and John. U.Fj"
When halfway across the river, there
was a 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 frantic struggle
for life. Then the portion of the wreck
he was on hoated 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
single life-presewer. John saw it,
climbed like a cat to where it was, and
brought it down.
"Oh, give it to mel | can't swimr'
" It's for this woman"
There was but one woman among
them, and she was old and lame.
"Give it to me, say! Help, help!
We're drowningr'
He seized the life-preserver. John
quietly took it from him, and but
toned 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
the boy was, in spite of his deadly pale
ness and trembling.
I'VE had better tie ourselves to
these" he said This deck is so
shattered it will go to pieces before
they see us from shore"
Mr.. Nagle, without word. followed
his advice. John was no Latinist 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
one of the boats which were out in
search of the victims. ..5
The banks were lined with pale, terri
fed faces. AS he was lifted on shore,
he saw a boy dragged out of the water,
| and poor little woman in black fly to
him with wild cry. sa... ,
"rm all-all right, mother" gasped
John; and then he cried on her breast
like the child that he was. 81 thought
I'd never see you againr' he sobbed.
Now there had been stranger on
board-a queer, wizened little man with
a foxy wig. This man, who was among
the saved, took up his quarters at the
village inn, and presently there arrived
by express mysterious engine or pump,
directed to him, which was placed in
the hallway of the inn. -. nr
1t seemed to have a curious fascina-
ton for John. He spent half his leisure
time porting over it-measuring the
tubes with his inch rule.
In front of the casethere was square
of plate-glass Now it happened that
one day, while John was relaxing his
mind by game of ball in the street,
he threw the ball plump into this costly
bit of glass. .Hl
The other boys ran, and John ran
too-but only for few steps. Then
he went home, went to the savings
bank and took out the money which
was meant for Christmas. Represent
ed himself before the old man, who was
looking at his shattered glass and tax
ing snuff violently. 5r..
Il did that, sir. There is the money
to pay for it. VIII it be enough?"
"Oh, you did it, eh?'' scowling at
him. "Well, give me the money. What
are you eternally prying into my press
for, anyhow ..s ...
"It's not a press. It's pump. [
understand it all but that wheel. Ican't
make out what that wheel is there for"
staring at it, his hands in his pockets.
The old man talked to John awhile.
That evening he called on Mrs. Steele
and sent up his card: Peter Copley,
Machinistn
GIVE had my eye on your boy,
ma am" he said, abruptly, ''for some
time. Noticed him the night of the ex-
plosion. I'd like to take him with me
and teach him my trade. He has a
sound, 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. a.
In the course of the suit he became
acquainted with the junior member of
the firm, man of high standing in his
business, and of equally high repute as
man Of probity and honor. ta 'T
One day there was sudden recogni-
ton. g.
John Steele, the" .......
Good-for-nothingP Yes" said John,
with laugh; "and no better ac-
quainted with the classics or bellies
| LeftJes than then Judpe | had but one