Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-17
he blockade would be broken, the ice would no
longer clog the stream. and the mills would be

The blockade would be broken the ice would no
longer clog the stream. and the mills would be
saved.
For moment silence fell upon all; then. sud-
denly, Mr.. Watterson's voice. hoarse and thin.
rang out above the noise of the storm and the
war of the waters.
"A thousand dollars to the man who will cut
that timber''
The women in the little group looked at each
other and shuddered; the men fixed their eyes
upon the dam: but no one replied. The roar of
the angry stream increased and the waters
deepened beneath the mill walls.
Two thousand dOllars.''
The prOprietOr's voice was hoarser than be-
lore; but the women closed their lips firmly and
shook their heads. The men moved little I'M
easily. and one drew his hand across his mouth
as II he would have spoken: but still no one re-
pied, and the white foam from the imprisoned
river was tossed by the wind against the lower
windows Of the mills. while the corners of the
buildings were already beginning to crumbie
and waste away before the grinding ice.
Three thou"
II will Co,'
The two voices sounded so closely together
that it was not until the crowd turned their
eyes upward and saw the one who had an
sWtred- that they fairly understood the reply.
Running from thiTd-stOry window of the
lower mill directly across the river. above the
dam. was long endless chain. used to convey
power from the mighty Water-whee of the mills
to the machinery of a little box factory located
on the opposite bluff. This chain was at rest
now. and there appeared at the window near it
the figure of boy, in blue blouse, carrying in
his hands an axe. He it was who said:
Il will 90
When the people saw him and realized what
he was about to attempt (ior already he had
fastened r0ne around his body and was pass
lng the other end over the chain evidently with
the intention of sliding along the same until
lie found point from which he could lower
himself within reach of the TIMBER. when they
reailzed this great murmur went up from the
crowd. and the women cried out i'm terror While
many turned to Mr. Watterson and urged him
to order the boy back.
Who is he ?" said the proprietor. in dazed
manner.
Its Jerry the bobbin- boy said man. step
ping forward. "A orphan, sir. an striyjn' to
care for his sick sister,
'Jely. Is it Jerry" cried Mr.. Watterson.
quickly So Then he shall not go. and he waved
his hand toward the window, and shouted, ''Go
back 60 hack!n
But already it was too late, for. with little
CRY the boy dropped from his perch and hung
swinging above the roaring. grinding ice, the
rope which supported him sliding slowly down
ward along the chain toward the center of the
DAM The breathleSS crowd. the terror-stlckcn
proprietor. could only watch and wait now.
Slowly and uneveny the looped rope from
which Jerry was suspended slipped. link by link.
down the sagTing chain; slowly his feet neared
the great mass Of ragged ice beneath. AT length.
when he was directly over the center of the dam.
and just above the long beam which held the
jam. allowing the rope to slide quickly through
his hands. he dropped lightly upon the timber
which he had come to cut
At the sight, the sympathetic crowd broke into
wild cheer. both men and women; but Jerry
wasted no time listening. A moment half
moment lost might mean destruction to the
mills, and before the echo of the shouting had
ceased he was plying his axe with vigorous
strokes that rang sharp and clear above the
voice of crumbling ice and gathering waters.
1t was not long task. The strain upon the
timber already was enormous. and ere the lad
had dealt half score of blows, an Ominous
cracking sound warned him that his errand was
accomplished, and that he must be gone.
Dropping the axe, he turned. seized the
dangling rope. and began to climb toward the
chain above, when. with a shock like the report
OF cannon. the beam gave way. and In an in
s1aht. IN the tWnkIfng of an eye, the air was
titled with horrible roaring as the imprisoned
waters burst the bonds which had confined
them, and in one impetuous. boiling flood
rushed over the dam. tossing the great cakes
OF ice that had formed the barrier high on the
irothlng waves-sO high that they hid from
si@nt the form of poor Jerry-and there went
up nom all the people single cry: THE boy
But the lam was broken! The mills were
saved,
And jerry was saved. too! Bruised and
stunned and bleeding, hanging half insensible
above the black waters that swept with swift
curve toward the fall. when the ice that had buff
feted him had passed away, the watchers saw
that the boy still lived; and, quicker than it can
be told. boat was procured and manned. a long
line made fast to it. and dropping down the
stream until they were close to him. tender
hands were upraised. loving voices called. and
with long, sobbing Cry. the little hero loosed
ms grasp upon the rope which held him and
dropped fainting into the waiting arms below.
To-day the great mills stand by the rivers
brink. and the rumble of their machinery is
heard all day long, as of yore; but it does not
reach the ears of the "bobbln-boy'' nor vet
those of Sister Nellie. For the one is at college
and the other at school, both foster children of
that most pleasant of old bachelors the pro-
pretor himself: and it is only at vacation tine
now, when his days are frightened by the pres
ence of both his loved ones that Mr. Waiter
sons memory turns back to that sprinetine.
long gone by, when his Jerry in simple,
soulful gratitude, risked his life to save the
mills.
ApOsheOSis Of the Worm.
Dr. Charles Darwin has written a work which