Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-12-18
Kill ISLAND POND VERMONT, DECEMBER JS 1885,

Ono use; boat would go over in
jiffy. Them fellers can't be saved"
There is one chance in hundred"
A low voice uttered the words, and
Janet saw a slender form glide past
toward a small Indian canoe that rested
on the bank. About the mans arm was
a coil of rope. When the man gained
the foaming edge of the water he swung
his arm aloft and cried:
"Some Of you take an end of this
rope. am going to rescue those men if
possible"
"Goodnessl it's the little book-keep
err"
"He'l drown, sure"
But Mark Farnham needed not the
comments of the crowd. lie seemed to
realize that time was precious, and at
once pushed the light ashen canoe into
the river Selling the paddle, and fix
ing his rope so that it would pay out
from between his thin knees, the little
bookkeeper began padding up the
stream. Strong hands h..a grasped the
end ofthe rope and it began paying out
rapidly, when Farnham turned and shot
swiftly into the center of the stream.
He managed so that the canoe came
down on the upper side of the swaying
jam. Instantly the canoe was sucked
under and lost, but Farnham sIrang to
the surface of the logs, rope in hand, and
quickly made one end fast to an upright
log.
"Quick, Mr. Lyon! There's no time
to lose. "
The mill owner demonstrated, and
urged the book keeper to go ahead this
he absolutely refused te do.
Mr.. Lyon went forward, grasped the
rope and passed, hand overland, to the
shore. A great shout went up when he
| landed.
Next came Dick Wellington. He
was heavy, and the rope sagged badly.
Farnham felt the jam tremble at each
surge of the foreman's body. Suddenly
the log to which the rope was attached
gave way and fell. Instantly the rope
flew far out into the stream. Dick was
near the shore and was rescued.
The little book keeper stood alone on
the jam, which was now trembling and
threatening to fall to pieces. Farnham's
face blanched. He seemed to realize
that he was doomed.
"Another canoe, quick! Go back,
Dick Wellington, and save Mr.. Farm
ham!"
1t was Janet who spoke, but the drip
ping Apollo turned away with a shud-
der.
"Not for farm would l risk my life
out yonder again.
He was not called upon to do so.
A great crash and roar sickened the
crowd on shore. The JAM with its lone
occupant, had disappeared!
"The man is past all earthly help" 1t
was DR.. Gould who uttered the words, as
he rose from contemplating the battered,
bleeding form on the sand.
From below the dam the little book
keeper had been dragged from the river,
bleeding and insens BILE. He lay at the
feet of Janet Lyon, who bent with stream
ing eyes above the dripping body.
"Speak to me, Mark, speakv' moaned
the belle.
The white lids unclosed and a pair OF
blue eyes looked into the face of the
kneeling girl. A smile touched the pur-
pie lips.
81 saved him-Dick Wellington. ]
knew you loved him; it was for your
sake, Janet. know you will forgive me
for being coward now"
ooh, Mark Mark"
A faint tremor moved his frame as the
girl attempted to raise the little book
keepers head. A moment later she held
a dead weight in her arms. The great
soul of Mark Farnham had gone from
the small body forever.
Oxbow did itself proud at the funeral
of the little bookkeeper, and one gen
uine mourner there was at least, the belle
of the Muskegon. When Dick yelling
ton asked for her hand two month
later he was met with cold refusal
Some people wondered why Janet Igor
never married. Does the reader wonder
- ChScd1O Current.