The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-07-13
A BRAVE DEED.

Laurence Baldwin was the oldest son
of 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
il. 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 irksone 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 cosy library a 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 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
''Come out of that, Horacei' he
called, ..you will get adrift, and the
tide will float you away"
III come in minute, Laurie" the
boy answered as his brother drove down
the road.
Laurence had not driven very far
when he met his father, who wished to
use the horse Laurence was driving 1t
was little aggravating to be stopped,
but there was nothing to do but turn
back and get another horse.
As Laurence had to wait some little
while for the coachman to make the de-
sired change. he went up to his mother,
who was i'll in her room. to receive fur
Their directions about his various COM
missions.
While there, his little brother Eugene
ran into the room, and, catching him by
the coat, tried to attract his attention.
E.Be quiet, childr' he said. impatient-
", az can't talk to mother if you both
er so.
'.But, Laurie, l must speak to you,"
said the boy, in a 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 skiff."
One quick glance from the window
which overlooked the water showed him
the skiff adrift, and empty.
1.-The boy is overboardn 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
skiff. and far out in the water little
black speck, upon which the. setting
sun, which Just then broke through the
clouds. shone with brilliancy. -
He raised a shout: keep up, Tn
, coming!" 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.
DON'T go. Mr. Laurie" he begged,
<.you can never do it,
.'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
bic. 1t was hard work: but he was
brave and stfcng, and, encouraged by
the shouts of t.ose 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 tie water for the last
time. Selling the child, now dead
weight, if alive at all. Laurence hurried
TO swim back; but new difficulty arose.
The tide was running out with 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 call
ing out 10 encourage the swimmer, the
Others crying en childish grief and
fright. Augustus, next in age TO LaIi-
renee, on one of the carriage horses,
and the coachman on the other, were
trying TO ride them into the water that
they might swim out and bring Lau-
renee and the boy to land. But, fright
ened by the coldness 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.
At length somebody fastened rope
TO q small log of wood, and winding the
other end hastily about it, sent it float
ing out, hoping the tide would carry it
within Laurenee's reach, so that. by
flashing the boy to it, he could swim with
greater ease. But one end of the rope
had not been securely fastened. The
action of the waves looSened 1t, and
floating about, it caught on a rock,
which anchored the log fast.
For one dreadful moment all seemed
hopeless. Laurence felt his strength
leaving him. The boy seemed TO grow
heavier with each stroke. The little
pale face looked so quiet, the child must
be dead.