Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-04
DICK wENTwORTH'S SWIM.
A TRrE SloaF o. ! BRAVE BOYS DEED.
BY GEO. CARY roeLEsros.
BY GEO. CARY roeLEsros.

Dick Wentworth was the poorest youth
in the University. and the proudest.
Without dollar 10 begin with, and with
oat any kind Of help, he had made his
way through the hrst two years Of his
college course, and meant TO make his
way to the end. He did it by working
like slave and living like pauPer, as
he himself said; but he did i, proudly,
and with bis head erect. When any
thing like help was offered him, he Te-
fused it almost resentfully; but he was
no. too proud to saw wood for those who
could pay. or to do any honest work for
wages and ne vac not too proud to
cook his own food and wash his own
dishes.
At first there were students who turned
up their no.es at Dick Wentworth, and
called him a pauper, but after while
thew began TO see that while Wentworth
was as poor as pauper he had not a
trace of a psupers spirit. He was
hard working, independent gentleman
Who respected himself and was soon re-
spected 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
students life-ssving crew-to which the
government had furnished life boat fol
use on the lake-but that did not count
for much in college life.
u.
There was hurried running through
the College at daybreak one morning
and a loud knock at Wentworth's door.
"Wha,'s up." he asked, leaping out
Of bed.
"S,eamer ashore. We're going to man
the life-boat.'
"Tn be with you in half minute,
answered Wentworth and hastily draw
ing on his trousers and under-shirt, be
ran toward the shore, where all the stu
dents and half Of the tovnspeople were
gathered.
The scene on which the people looked
was appalling. A large passenger steam
er Law stranded about four hundred yards
out and the sea was beating her to pieces.
Her upper decks were already a mass Of
.plinters, and shattered doors and bits OF
painted bulk-h heads were every minute
thrown up by the pillows at the very feet
of the people on the shore, telling the sad
story cf what was happening out there
on 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 could see the passen-
gers and crew clinging to the wreck.
Fragments washed ashore showed plain
ly enough that the ships boats had been
beaten to pieces, probably in the at.
tempt to launch them, and the whole
ships company were now helplessly wait
ing death.
The students of the life-saving crew,
with Wentw orth at their head, brought
their life-boat to the beach and
prepared to launch it. They placed
themselves in two lines, every fellow
stripped to the waist, and at the word
pushed the boat into the water. The
bow was instantly swung round by an
incoming wave, and the boat was driven
besmways on the shore.
A second effort was made. with greater
care and nicer calculation of time between
the waves. The boat rose upon the crest
of the billows, and the young athletes
bent to their oars; but the water was toe
strong for them. The surf tossed the
boat back upon the leach, capslzing It,
and seriously injuring one OF the crew.
1--WE want a volunteer to take Stokes
place" cried Wentworth, ,whereupon thret
stalwart young fellows offered them
selves. "rn take you, Mason" Went