The Press., 1884-09-11
WAS HE A. HERO !?

care ever since his mother died, which was when Arthur was baby, fourteen years ago.
 The breezes at Prout's Neck were fresh and cool, very different from the close air which had wilted them in the hot city. The ocean, .dashing against the rocks or surging up on the beach, was cool also more than that, 1t Is always cold on this headland off the coast of Maine.
 That is why visitors can not take salt baths unless the blood flows quickly thro' their veins, else first a shiver, then a chill, at last deadly coldness comes over them.
 But certain clergyman, who was stout and full -blooded, a hale and hearty physi- clan. and our boy Arthur were ready for anything in the swimming line. They would probably have taken dip in the open polar sea if they had chanced to summer there. At any rate Prout's Neck did not daunt them. The stout clergyman was diving and ducking, the energetic doctor was plugging about in the water, while the summer boarders" stood on the shore to laugh at their1antics.
 "Any under-tow? ?"
 1e'a for every mothers son who puts his feet under water.''
 "Be sure the Jamaica ginger is on hand"
 "Hot-water bags furnished gratis to thaw out frozen limbs l"
 The water sparkled, tempting the rev. erend doctor far from the shore, closely followed by the irreverent doctor, who swan like frog But all at once the lat ter turned toward the land. The specta- tors noticed that he swan slowly; pres ently that each stroke came with an effort.
 But he gained his foot-hold.
 s'No more for me to-day, thank you, f,r yonder. Come, Doctor, come."
 But the clergyman didn't answer. He was floating on his back
 Resting for fresh swim."
 But the Crest" seemed to last long time. A big wave carried him farther from shore Could anything be wrong? An anxious thrill ran through the watch CTS. They strained their eyes, It became more and more evident that there was se- rious trouble. Some one cried, Bring a rope" F
 A panic seized the group on the beach. Farther and farther out fioated the bath CT. He was trying to signal ''distress. '" Only his head could now be seen. The la- dies wrung their helpless hands. There was not man near who could swim, ex- cepting the physician, and it would only be double death should he brave that icy water again. 4.
 The clergyman was losing strength. He could not keep above these rolling waves much longer. The distress became agony. To stand on the shore and see man drown before ones very eyes was too horrible.
 Suddenly the door of one of the bath houses opened. There stood the. slender figure of young Arthur Stearns, bare-arm- ed, bare-legged, clad only in the close-ft- ting shirt and short trousers which left his limbs free play. He gave one intent look, and seemed instantly to understand the situation. Never word did he speak. There was a quick bound to the water, a rush into the surf, and he had struck out toward the drowning man. rrE, A cry of anguish went up from the beach. What could child avail at such time? The large man would seize him as one in his extremity at straw. They would be swallowed up by that pitiless wa- ter. How could they tell the awful tale to the childless father? How could the mother-aunt bear her misery when she saw her cherished child sink before her very eyes? -.---s'..--. -.'s-.e---s-s,s
 Steadily on swan the boy. His brain was working through all the excitement. This is what it told him:
 'You remember, Arthur Stearns, how your auntie was once saved from drowning by some ones pushing her to land by pressing his hand against her feet held out stiff and straight"
 ''I remember" said Arthur.
 ''Keep clear of the doctors hands," ad- ded the steady brain.
 ''I will," answered Arthur, and swan quickly on.
 The on-lookers, breathless with sus- pense, saw him come closer, closer-now reach the clergyman. They shuddered with fear lest he should be seized and dragged down.
 He was pausing. One little hand was put under the doctors head. He was evil dently speaking. No one could hear, but they could discern that probably his words were understood. ....'
 ''I Can push you ashore, sir if you will keep your arms close to your side and your feet together stiff, just as you are do- ing now. If you touch me shall both drown."
 The doctors sense had not wholly left him. He still knew enough to do as he was told.
 With his left hand pressing the soles of the clergyman's feet, Arthur was making vigorous strokes with his free right arm.
 Slowly, slowly, but surely, they were making progress It was like big man. of-war pushed by tiny tug g-boat. But the "tug" dld valiant service. Nearer and nearer they came, till strong hands could reach out to draw the half-drowned clergy man to shore, and Arthur stood upright. His work was done.
 Then they praised him. How these la- dies did chatter and talk They landed the little hero to the skies. They patted aud caressed him. They could find no words strong enough to express their ad- mira!ion. ...-... ...
 All that confused the boy. He had gone to the rescue of perishing man. Of course he had. What else was there to do? He had known how to push him to land. Why, anybody ought to have known that. What was all this fuss about? It was very perplexing. He did not under stand-this simple-souled lad, who had been taught always, under all circum- stances, to do the right. All day long their praises worried him. b..
 But nighttime came, and his aunt went upstairs to see that he was safe in bed, the mother-aunt, who had reioiced greatly that her boy had proved himself worthy of the task set him. It was she who could always put matters in their true light.
 "Arthur, dear," she said, s'what you did to-day was nothing wonderful, but it WAS very wonderful that it was givesa to you to | do That should make you very thank