The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-08-22

hobble down TO the shore, where he stood
waist deep in the surf, wildly waving his
hAnds.
By this time persuaded tbs. something
must be wrong, BiIler had run to the spot,
and now he saw, far out in the surf, little
head, toward which the girl was bravely
swimming. l dare say mis- thoughts went
hurriedly back to the Passaic River, and the
day, six years before, when almost the same
scene went on before his eyes. But he did
not stop to think. Kicking of his shoes and
throwing aside his coat, he ran into the surf,
dashed by the man, and swan for the girls,
the elder of whom had already caught and
was buoying up the little one.
keep her head above water" Billsr called
loudly Ms he drew near the girl, who WAS as
brave and plucky as he.
She managed to do as she was bid, and
then Biller directed her TO take hold of his
shoulders, st the same time leaving his arms
free 10 carry them both ashore. The man
meanwhile had dropped his crutch in his ex.
element, and when Biller, having landed
the two girls, looked around, he saw the Grip
pie swept away by tie trescherous surf.
1t was only the work of q moment TO
plunge in again; but the man was far out SIS
the little giTl had been when Biller frat saw
her, and every moment wss carrying him
Biller first nesred him, but, afraid Of coming
too near, tired to grasp him by the hair.
This, however, was too short, and when Bill
Ter took hold of the drowning mans neck,
the other turned and fastened on the SWIM
mer his deadly clutch The lsd swan as
well SIS he could in the mans terrible grasp,
but lost consciousness just as they reached the
shore.
In the course of the same afternoon Bill
ler's employer in Newark was shocked by
receiving telegram announcing that the
young man had been drowned at Coney Is
land while coursgeously endeavoring to save
Mr.. Benedict snd his little girl, who were
perishing in the surf. The father was sent
Ior, and the sad news communicated TO him.
But before he left the Office 10 convey 1t to
his wife q second message came, residing as
follows:
"Don't be alarmed. Was senseless for q
time, but am all right again, and on my way
home. Had the good luck TO save Benedict
and two daughters; was rewarded with dis-
mend ring, gold watch, and other presents.
q. Ii. BILLER"
Biller's unconsciousness had lasted for half
an hour. When he came TO himself he found
the gentleman and mis- daughters anxiously
awaiting his revival, and insisting that he
che uld accompany them to their cottage,
where he had fitted out dry suit Of clothes,
sDd overwhelmed with thanks from Mrs.
Benedict for the preservation of her hus-
bands snd children's lives.
The father pressed upon the lad sum of
money. and when this was declined, COM
PEELED Biller TO accept the gold watch and
chain which he had carried in his own pock-
et and valuable diamond ring, as an OK.
preston of his gratitude and regard. These
the young man shows to any one who may
be interested in the affair, though he does
not fancy the publicity it has brought him.
'I hAve had so much said about me lately in
the papers, and it was merely an accident"
be remarks in letter l have just received
ffom him, and which l am sure he will par.
don me for quoting, for the glimpse that it
gives of his character.
Some one, trying to be witty, has said that
sb.enoe of body is better than presence of
mind, but this is the way the coward looks
at it. One who is brave will try and bs pre-
pared when the danger comes, and will not
shrink from meeting it. A little boy in the
fcbOol panic the other day helped his teacher
by dragging other boys, who were trying to
escape from the window, back by their legs.
A young LADY, mention this for the sake
of the glrls-was riding horseback near her
country home last week, when the animal
took fright and ran away. The girl clung
to mis- back, knowing that to be her only
chance, though he dashed with terrific speed
down long hill, at the foo. OF which she
knew there was a river and bridge. The
road, moreover. makes q sharp turn Just be-
fore It reaches the bridge; and when it came
to this point she saw to her horror that the
horse was headed for q narrow space, not
more than three feet wide, between the side
of the bridge and a tree
If he struck either the tree on the one
hand CT the bridge on the other she would DO
dragged off and killed, while if he lesped
that sec med 10 invite more terrible death
on the rocks twenty feet below. Still she
chung to his back while the horse lesped.
He landed, not on the rocks, but in a pool
| iutt beyond, and YVES so hurt by the fail that
he had to be shot. The girl escaped without
| harm, except for the shock TO her nervous
| system. Had she not kept her self-posses =.
zion and retained her seat on the horses
back, and guided him as we'll as she was
able, che must certainly have been killed.
Had Charles Biller waited TO see if some
one else would not jump in the water his
| opportunity for heroism would have been
lost. II is the boys and girls who are ready
when the opportunity comes that do the
| gallant deeds and win the prizes in the
i 1f