Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-03-12

age or MS skill as DOabman.
But TO one listener the sad intelli-
gence Of the mishap and the impossible
ity Of remedying IL brought a hope and
a desire which soon resolved themselves
into action.
"What was the name Of the medi-
cine, motherPn said Jack quietly.
Mrs. Hasbrouck told him. No one
noticed when, minute later, Jack
slipped out of the door with cap and
overcoat, and sped into the darkness.
II was, indeed, a fearful night Tie
storm had risen TO gale The chill
November rain poured down in tor
rents, and the furious wind whistled
and howled amid the leailes5 branches
Of the trees. Through the darkness
Jack could hear the roar of the waves
that were dashing heavily against the
rocks, and as he neared the dock he
could dimly see the giimmer of their
white orests.
With much difficulty he unfastened
the painter of his stanch little boat,
and with few sharp strokes Of the oars
was out on the boiling riverl
1t was a serious task he had before
him. Already he was wet TO the skin
by the driving rain, and every moment
showers Of salt spray dashed over him.
The cold wind benumbed his bare
hands, tough as they were, so that he
could scarcely hold the oars Again
and again the waves knocked the oars
from the rowlocks, and threatened to
engulf him beneath their dreadful
weight. But Jack did not feel a bit
afraid Perhaps he did not realize the
full extent of the danger he was in.
Possibly he thought hope he did
that God was on the river as well as on
the land, and that He who stilled the
waves on Galilee could care for the boy
who was trying, with stout heart and
determined will, to do a noble deed for
friendships sake. At any rate he did
not falter in his purpose, but struggled
manfully on until, by the sound Of the
breakers, he knew he was near the 9TH
er side. Fortunately, he struck the
shore within little cove, sheltered by
high rocks, and was able to land with
out much trouble.
The walk to the village, a mile and a
half, was along a railway track; part
of it across a long bridge, on which only
a single plank was laid for foot-passcn-
gers. But walking was pleasant after
the tremendous labor of rowing, and
Jack trudged briskly forward, cheered
by the lights Of the distant village, and
an occasional CLEAN from the fagmen's
boxes along the road. In due time the
village was reached, the medicine pro-
cured, and Jack started on his return
trip with light and eager heart.
But walking down the road with the
wind, and up against the wind, were
two quite different things. Often Jack
was brought to a complete standstill,
and his breath fairly blown away, by
the fury of the gale. And on the long
bridge he was several times obliged to
cling to the plank with his hands to
save himself from being blown into the
water. At length, however, he got
safely back to his boat, and after stop
ping few moments to rest, launched
out again upon the tossing waves.
But all this while, what was happen
ing on the island? For time, Jacks
absence was not noticed. But when
the family were assembled for evening
prayer, inquiry began to be made for
him. No one knew where he was, of
course, and the exercise went on with
out him. Then nine o. clock came, and
Mrs. Hasbrouck, growing somewhat
worried, went to look for his coat and
cap. Both were gone! Then there
was sudden muster of the family
forces. The neighbors were inquired
of, but they knew nothing of him.
Where could the boy beP The men
went about calling through the dark
ness, but no Jack responded to their
shouts. They searched in every nook
and corner where he could be supposed
to be, but all in vain.
All at once, with a mothers instinct,
Mrs. HasbrOuck recalled Jacks inquiry
about the medicine. Could it beP-
yes, that must be It'll With lantern in
hand, waiting forno one, she ran to the
dock. Jacks boat was gonel The
mystery was solved; but the poor moth
er's heart sank within her as she looked
out on the stormy river, and remem-
beIed what the old boatman had said.
But not a moment was to be lost.
She hastened back to the house, and in
trice every window towards the river
was lighted up, and large rejecting
light was carried to the rock above the
landing At least there should be moth
ing omitted that could help the poor lad
find his way home, if the hungry waves
had spared him,
Just as Jack struck out into the river
he glanced behind him and saw the
faint glimmer of the lights through the
pelting rain. 1t put new life into his
sturdy arms, and the rushing waves
and furious wind did not seem half so
threatening as before. He knew they
were watching and praying for him,
and he smiled to think how glad they
would all be when he landed with the
precious medicine that was to save poor
Joe's life. But o how long it took to
row across! Wind and tide were
against him now Every pull of the
oars seemed to require the utmost
strength he could put into it, and after
his previous eXertions, the labor rapid
ly wore upon his energies, until the
poor lads courage began to fail, and
the terrible fear came rushing into his
mind that he might not be able to reach
home after all. How cold it was! How
tired he felt, and how numb his hands
were growingl The pleasant lights
seemed farther of than when he saw
them first. He was surely drifting
away, and would soon be swallowed
up, with the life-giving medicine, by
the surging, pitiless river. Gradually,
his strokes became less and less vigor-
Gus. His weary arms refused to do their
office. His head swan, and before he
couldrecaver himself, an oar had slipped
from his weakened grasp.
But bark! what is thatP A shout close
by, and the sound of oars! Summon