The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-08-09
A BRAVE DEED.

II
Laurence Baldwin was the oldest son
of a clergyman living in the suburbs of
a seaport town on the New England
coast. The position of eldest son is al
ways Of more or less dignity, but when
there are five younger brothers, and as
many sisters, it is a position of respon-
sibility and Importance as well. At
least that is the way Laurence looked at
it. No doubt he often presumed upon
his position most boys in his case
would have done so; but, on the whole,
he was rather above the average elder
brother, and his rule was more kind
than severe. Sometimes, however, this
same position was more irksome than
pleasant. This was the case one after
noon in April, when Laurence was called
away from comfortable spot in the IL
brary where he was settled with book,
to drive into town and execute several
commissions for his mother.
1t was cold even. for April. A vio-
lent storm had occurred the day before,
and, although it was now over, there
were sufficient traces of it left, in the
shape Of mud, wind and clouds, to
make n cosy library desirable place.
But duties must be done, however dis
tasteful, and Laurence, though he
grumbled little, shook himself togeth-
er and started. As he drove from the
house he noticed one of his Younger
brothers playing in a skiff which was
drawn up on the shore at the foot of the
lawn. The little fellow had pole, and
seemed trying to push the skiff out into
the water.
s'Come out of that, Horace!'' he
called, s'you win get adrift, and the
tide will float you away"
I'll come in minute, Laurie" the
boy answered as his brother drove down
the road.
Laurence had not driven very far
when lie met his father, who wished to
use the horse Laurence was driving. IL
was a little aggTavating to be stopped.
but there was nothing to do but turn
back and get another horse.
As Laurence had to wait some little
while Tor the coachman to make the de-
sired change. he went up to his mother,
who was Ill in her room. to receive fur
Their directions about his various CON-
missions.
While there, his little brother Eugene
ran into the room, and, catching him BY
the coat, tried to attract his attention.
g. Be quiet, ehild!' he said, impatient
", 81 can t talk to mother if you both
er. so.''
'.But, Laurie, must speak to you,
said the boy, in q frightened whisper.
He looked into the troubled face of the
child. and saw instantly something was
wrong.
"What is it?'' he asked hurriedly.
Horace is adrift in the skill
One quick glance from the window
which overlooked the water showed him
the skiff adrift, and empty.
1.-The boy is overboard!" he ex-
claimed, as he rushed downstairs, tear
ing his coat off as he ran. When out ON
the lawn he could clearly see the empty
skif. and far ont in the water d little
black speck, upon which the setting
sun, which just then broke through the
clouds, shone with brilhancy.
He raised a shout: keep up, I'm
coming!n and worked desperately with
his shoes to get them off.
just then he was seized and held
back by the coachman, an old and val
ued servant.
"Dont't go, Mr.. Laurie, y be begged,
"yOu can never do it!''
s.Let me aloner' he cried, and shak-
ing him roughly of, he dashed into the
wafer.
He was an experienced. swimmer, but
even to him its icy GOODNESS was terri
BILE. It was hard work; but he was
brave and strong, and, encouraged BY
the shouts of those who had collected
on the shore, he reached at last the lit
tie head, and caught desperately at it
just as the benumbed and well-nigh
senseless boy was about to sink beneath
the surface of the water. for the last
time. Selling the child, now a dead
weight, if alive at all, Laurence hurried
to swim back; but a new difficulty arose.
The tide was running out with 81 force
that required great strength to resist it.
Upon the shore all was excitement.
Dr. Baldwin, the boys father, who was
unable to swim, was giving orders in
quick, peremptory tones, which no one
obeyed. Children were running hither
and thither, the more courageous cali
ing out to encourage the swimmer, the
others crying in. childish grief and
fright Augustus, next in age to La1l-
renee, on. one of the carriage horses.
and the coaehnan on the other, were
trying to ride them into the water that
they might swim out and bring Lau-
rencee#nd the boy to land. But, fright
ened By the GOODNESS Of the water, they
refused to obey, and by their stamping
and rearing added to the general CON
fusion.
The poor sick mother was alone in
her room. praying.