The Russellville Democrat., 1883-04-19

IuDiHcut vi tNO. 0fie III i1ht ~ Wcit kO
upon such river in an egg shell as IN
the stoutest row-boat ever bnilt.
The poor woman with her babe could
be seen from the shore. standing the 0
alone on the rapidly narrowing strip OF
island. Her voice could not reach the
PEOPLE on the bank. but when she held
her poor little baby toward theV in
mute appeal for help, the mothers there
understood her agony.
There was nothing to be done. how
ever Human sympathy was given
freely, but human help was out OF the
question. Everybody on the riycr-shore
was agreed in that opinion. Every
body, chat is to say, except Joe Lain
bert. He had been so long n tic htbit
of finding ways 10 help himself under
difficulties that he did not easily make
up his mind 20 think any case hopeless.
No sooner did Joe clearly understand
how matters stood than he ran away
from the crowd. uobedy paying any at
tention TO what he did. Hall an hour
later. somebody cried out = Look
there! Who's that, aud what $ he GO
ing to do? pointing ~ the stream.
Looking in that direction, the people
saw some one three quarters OF mile
away standing on u eating field OF
ice in the river. He had large ;arm
basket strapped upon his shoulders,
while in his hands he held plank.
y S the ice-Eeld upon which be stood
neared another, the youth ran forward,
threw his plank down. making bridge
OF it, and crossed to the fartlie.' ficl /.
Then picking up his plank, he waited
for q chance TO repeat the process
As he thus drfted down the river,
every eye was strained in his direction.
Presently some one cried out: 1t $
Joe Lambert; and he's trying to cross
to the island"
There was shout as the people I'M
derstood the nature of Joe's heroic at
tempt. and then a hush rs its extreme
danger be ame apparent.
ICE had laid his plaEs wisely and well.
but it seemed impossible has he should
succeed. His purpose was, With the a.d
OF the plank 10 cross from one ice-ield
to another until he should reach the
| island; but as that would require good
deal of time, and the ice was moving
down stream pretty rapidly, it W nee
essary to start at point above the
town. Joe had gone about n nile up
the river before going on the ice, and
when first seen from the town lie lad
already reached the channel.
After that first shout a whisper might
have been heard IN the crowd OIL the
bank. The heroism o. the poor boy s
attempt awed the spcsta, ors, and the
momentary espectat ON that he would
disappear forever amid the crushing
ice fields made them hol Their breath
in anxiety and terror.
Hs greatest danger was from the
smaller cakes of ice When il became
necessary for him to step upon one of
these, his weight was su &c e1tto make
it tilt, and lis footing was worry inse-
cure After awhile as he was nearing
the island. he came into large collec-
ton Of these sma r ice axes, For
awhile he waited hoping that Il larger
field would DRIFT near b M but Il ter 4
minutes delay he saw that he was rap
idly floating past the island, and that
he must either trust himself to the
treacherous broken ice, or ia in his a.
tempt to save the woman end child.
Oh osing the best o The foes lie laid
his plan'l and passed across successful
Is. In the next passage. however, the
cake tilted MP, and Joe Lambert went
down into the water! shu lder passed
throagh the crowd ON shore.
Poor fellow!n exclaimed some ten
der-hear;ed spectator; sit is all over
with him now
No; look. look! shouted another.
"He's trying to climb upon the ice
Hurrah! he's on his feet again" With
that the whole company of spectators
shouted for Joy.
Joe had managed TO regain his plank
as well as TO climb upon cake of ice
before the fields around could crush
him. and now nleeing cautiously, he
made his way little by little toward tho
| island.
iIurrahl Hurrahl he's there at
lastr' shouted the people on the shore.
" But will he get back again?' was
the question each one asked himself a
moment later.
Having reached the island, Joe very
well knew that the more difficult part
of II S task was still before him, FOR it
was one thing for an active boy TO work
his way over floating ice, and quite an
other to cirry child and lead woman
upon a similar journey.
But Joe Lambert was quick witted
and ''long headed" as well as brave,
and he meant to do all that he could to
save these poor creatures for whom he
had risked his lie so heroicaly TAX
ing out his knife he M de the woman
cut her skirts Of at the knees. so that
she might walk and. leap more freely.
Then placing the baby in the basket
which was strapped upon his back. he
cautioned the woman ag inst gil ing way
to fright, and instructed her carefully
about the method OF crossing.
On the return journey Joe was able
10 avoid one great risk. As it was not
necessary TO land at any part cuar
point, time was OF little consequence,
and hence when no large field OF ice
was at hand, he could wal. for one to
approach without attempting 10 make
use OF the smaller ones. Leading the
woman wherever that was necessary, he
slowly made his way toward shore.
drift ,ng down the river, OF course, while
all the people OF the town marched along
the bank.
When at last Joe leaped ashore in
company with the woman, and bearing
her babe in the basket on his back, the
people seemed ready TO trample upon
each other in their eagerness to shake
hands with their hero.
Their hero was barely able to stand.
however Drenched as he had been in
the icy water, the sharp March wind
1 had chilled him to to the marrow, and