The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-08

nrst TWO years OF MS college course, and
meant to make bis way to the end. He did
II by working like slave and living like a
pauper," as he himself said; but he did it
proudly, with his head erect When any
thing like help was offered him, he refused
IL almost resentfully; but he was not too
proud to saw wood for those who could pay,
or TO do any honest work for wages; and he
was not too proud to cook his own food and
wash his own Dishes
At first there we're students who turned
up their noses at Dick Wentworth, and
called him Il pauper but after a while they
began to see that while Wentworth was as
poor as pauper he had not trace of the
paupers spirit. He was Woodworking,
independent gentEman, who respected him
sen apaT was soon respected by his fellow
students.
Still nobody thought much about him.
He had no intimate friends and was no
body's hero. He was the best swimmer in
the university, and was captain of the stu
dents life-saving crew-to which the gov
eminent had furnished a life-boat for use on
the lake-but that did not count for much in
college life.
There was a hurried running through the
college at daybreak one morning and loud
knock at Wentworths door.
Whats up?" he asked, leaping out of
bed
Steamer ashore. We're going to man the
life-boatr'
Jpn be with you in half minute,'' an
swered Wentworth; and hastily drawing on
= his trousers and under-shirt, he ran toward
the shore, where all the students and half
the towns-people were gathered.
The scene on which the people looked
was appalling. large passenger steamer
lay stranded about four hundred yards out,
and the sea was beating her to pieces. Her
upper decks were already mass of splin-
tiers, and shattered doors and bits of painted
pulk-heads were every minute thrown up by
the pillows at the very feet of the people on
the shore, telling the sad story of what was
happening out there beyond the furious surf
The pelting rain and driving spray nearly
hid the vessel from view, but in such
glimpses as were to be had of it the people
on shore could see the passengers and crew
clinging to the wreck. Fragments washed
ashore showed plainly enough that the snip's
boats had been beaten to pieces, probably in
the attempt 10 launch them, and the whole
ships company were now helplessly await
ing death.
The students of the life saving crew, with
Wentworth at their head, brought their
life-boat to the beach and prepared to launch
1t. They placed themselves in two lines,
every felloy stripped TO the waist, and at
he-WoTd pushed The boat into the water
The bow was instantly swung round by an
incoming wave, and the boat was driven
beamways on the shore.
A second effort was made, with greater
care and nice calculation of time between
the waves. The boat rose upon the crest of
the pillows, and the young athletes bent to
their oars; but the water was too strong for
them. The surf tossed the boat back upon
the beach, capsizing it, aud seriously iniur-
ing one of the crew.
1--WE want a volunteer to take Stokes's
ala 81. II. l.
stawart young fellows offered themselves.
''Pll take you, Mason" said Wentworth;
you're the best oar. Take your place.
The boat was righted, and third ettempt
TO launch her was made. For momenti it
seemed that this time success had been at
tanned. The boat rose upon the wave, and
Two vigorous strokes of the oars carried her
beyond the curling crest. Then an oar
broke; rover fell backward. There was
moments pause in the stroke, and the life
boat was dashed on the beach by the angry
sea. This Time, alas! the good life-boat's
ribs were crushed to shapeless mass, and
several OF the crew were stunned by the fall.
a murmur OF terrified despair ran through
the crowd, which now included every man
and woman of the college town. 1t was evil
dent TO all that nothing more could be done
Nothing Trailer than boat could live
Ior an instant IN such sea, and there was
no lIe-ooat TO be had. The people were |
dumb with horror as they realized that there |
was nothing to do but stand there in the pit
ness storm and wall Tor the bodies OF the |
snip company 10 come ashore They were
already beginning to come, indeed; Two
men ana one Woman-all dead, and all more
or less bruised and broken-had been drawn
OUT upon tne SAND Ihese were the hrst
sweep overheard, put others would soon fol-
low, ana Dat one rate awaited all that COM
pany OF people who were seen clinging to
the snip, unable to help themselves and
Without nope OF nelp from DINERS.
Let US pray!
IL was the coliege FfesldenJ-a venerable
man, loved and revered throughout the town
VINO spoke. Inc people knelt at once,
and The old man prayed fervently with his
white head Dared to the storm. As he
ceased, wentworth approached and said to
him:
Send the women up the beach. sir, you
please"
why, Wentworth?'
Because must strip; the last rag of
clothing may be fatally in my way"
why, what are you going to do, my boy?'
asked the President in astonishment.
Pm going to carry line to the steamer"
said the youth calmly.
at is impossible-it is madness to tryr'
exclaimed the President.
$50 it is" said an old fisherman who
stood by. THAT sea will beat you to jel-
ly in two minutes"
II suppose 1t is impossible replied the
boy; but am going to try, sir"
The President looked into the youths
face, and catching something of the enthusi-
asm OF his heroic purpose, laid his hand up
on Mentworth's head, saying
--sWhen0 gives 1t 10 you to attempt
sucn'G Service to your fellow men, it is not
for me to Interfere. May He strengthen
and keep your
Wentworth bowed his head to receive the
benediction, and then stripped himself at
once, while the people looked on in awe
struck admiration at such heroism, aud
shuddered at the thought of its seemingly
certain end. The symmetry of the youths
person, his superb beauty of body, seemed to
MAKE the matter worse; for was it not a
special pity hat youth so perfect in body
and so tu OF life should be given as sacri-
nee to the Inry OF the storm.
Now, then. Thorpe" said Wentworth,
alter Tying slender cord around his body,
want you TO pay 1t out carefully. Re
member that single ounce OF unnecessary
pulling may cost all these people their