Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-05-19
BRAVE BETH.

stairs, and we didn't have anything to
eat in the house, nor any fire, and no
bed, only a heap of straw and rags in
the corner, and I had a little brother
who was very sick, and we didn't have
but n old cloak between u.s. said little
Nellie, as she closed the book which she
had been intently reading.
"Why, petsie, that is rather a strange
ideal Of perfect happiness. What could
have put such a wish as that into your
head?"
Because, auntie, then perhaps I could
become a heroine. All the heroines of
the stories are poor girls. There isn't
much chance for little girls to. do any
thing brave who have all they want, and
good, kind mammas to keep their hair
combed, and fix pretty dresses with nice
little ruffies and ribbons"
Don't you know, pet, that a great
many years ago, a very wise mar
said: He that ruleth his own spirit is
greater than he that taketh a cityp So
every time you keep back an untrue, or
a cross, impatient word, you become
u little heroine; and every time you
sacrifice your own pleasure, ease or
convenience for the sake of others, you
have fought a great battle, and become
a mighty conqueror over a strong enc
my. But perhaps the reason so many
little heroes and heroincs of stories are
poor, friendless children, is because it
is so remarkable that without training
and advantages they should exhibit
such nobility Of character. Let me tell
you about a little girl who did not be-
long to this class, who was one of the
grandest little heroines that I ever
knew. Little Beth lived in a beautiful
home on the bank Of q river, and she
had all the nice clothes, and books, and
play-things that she wanted, and a kind
father and mother who loved her dearly.
Sometimes she thought that she was the
happiest child in the world, except her
little brother Rob, baby Rob, whom
everybody loved on account of his sunny
temper, cunning ways and sweet, lisping
baby talk.
when Rob was two years old, one
summer afternoon, Beth came running
home from school and went in search Of
him for their usualromp. Mamma was
basy and said he was not with her,
hut had gone out into the garden a little
while ago. So Beth went out into the
garden, where she found his little wagon
and his hat lying out under a tree, but
she could see nothing of Rob. Then
she ran down the garden walk, calling
Rob! Rob! where are you baby Rob?'
But no sweet little voice answered her.
When she reached the farther end of the
walk, she found that the gate which
was always kept fastened had been care
lessly left open. Passing through, her
heart stood still at the sight before her.
A little back of the house ran the rail-
road, with a long, high bridge over the
river. Some planks had been laid along
the middle of the bridge for the conven-
fence of persons crossing on foot, and
away out on this narrow walk, half way
acros the bridge, was baby Rob. Inone
hand he carried little basket, and in the
other. a little stick which he was using
for a cane. There he was trudging
along, as unconscious of danger as ii he
had been walking across the nursery
floor. 1t was no wonder that Beth's
heart stood still, for that first glance had
also shown her a train coming up the
track-coming it seemed to her faster
than train ever came before. And it was
SO near.
''Beth gave one scream, hoping that
her mother might hear it, and then
started down the track. 1t seemed as if
her feet had wings. She knew that she
had never run SO fast before; but run as
fast as she could, the train ran faster.
She reaches the bridge and darts along
the narrow walk. She knows that she
is putting her own life in danger, but
she does not hesitate; she does not even
think that she is performing a heroic act,
but only that her darling little brother
is in great peril, and that she must save
him if she can. Even baby Rob at last
seems aware of his danger, as he notices
the painting monster rushing down upon
him. He turns and begins to run as
fast as he can, and seeing Beth coming
he reaches out his little arms to her and
cries: Take Rob, Beth! Rob's 'fraidH
And Beth clasps him in her arms, and
feels his soft little arms around her neck;
but she also feels the bridge tremble be-
meath her. The engine has reached it.
She knows that she can not reach the
other end Of the bridge with her burden;