The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-07-07
A COURAGEOUS ACT.

A COURAGEOUS ACT.
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 rs
many sisters, it is "a position of respon-
sibility and importance as well. At
least that is the way Laurence looked at
it. No doubt be 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 irksome than
pleasant. This was the case one after
noon in April, when Laurence was called
away from Il comfortable spot in the Ii
brary, where he was settled with a 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 a cosy library a desirable place.
But duties must be done, however dis
tasteful, and Laurence, though he
grumbled ! tile, shook himself togeth-
er and started. AS he drove from the
house he noticed one of his younger
brothers playing in a skitf which was
drawn up on the shore at the foot of the
lawn. The little fellow had a pole, and
seemed trying to push the skif out into
the water.
''Come out of that, Horace!? he
called, "you will get adrilt, and the
tide VIII float you away"
I'm 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 10 do hut 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
tler 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.
"Be quiet. childr' he said, impatient
| ly, Al can talk to mother if you both
| er so.
" But, Laurie, 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 itp'' he asked hurriedly.
Horace is adrift in the sEdff, p"
One quick glance from the window
which overlooked the water showed him
the skiff adrift, and empty.
1.-THE boy is overboardr' he ex-
claimed, as he rushed downstairs, tear
ing his coat off as he When out on
the lawn he could clearly see the empty
skiff. and far out in the water Ii tie
black speck. upon which the setting
sun, viii, just then broke through the
clouds, shOne with brilliancy.
He raised a shout; keep up, I'm
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 off, he dashed into tn,
wafer.
He was an experienced swimmer, bu
even TO him its icy GOODNESS was terri
BILE. 1t was hard work; but he wal
brave and strong, and encouraged b,
the shouts of tose who had col ecteC
N the shore, he reached at last the t
tie head, and caught desperately at i
just as the henumbed and well-nigl
senseless boy was about TO sink beneath
the surface of the water for the las
time. Selling the child, now dea,
weight, ii alive at all, Laurence hulIie'
to swim back; but new difficulty arose
The tide was running ont with a fore
that required great strength to resist it
Up n the shore all was excitement
DR.. Baldwin, tine boys father, who wa