The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-08-02
A BOY HERO.

What Tommy Brown Did to Protect His
Little Brother.
He was only six years old, little
Tommy Brown. His father was a
pioneer out in Oregon. Look on the
map, as always, and find Oregon, il
you don't know where it is.) Pioneers
have discomforts and privations that
the people in older settlements do not
dream of. They are often twenty miles
away from any store. If any thing has
happened that they have not laid in a
supply OF meat, flour and meal, and
these things give out at home, it be-
comes very serious business. Il the
roads are showed up, or if the mud is
SO deep as to make them impossible,
there is a chance that the pioneer
family may go hungry; they may even
starvc. Provisions had given out in
the family OF Mr.. Brown. There had
been deep, soft snow, so tho roads
were very bad indeed; but food must
be had, or his babies would have moth
ing to eat. So the father started with
his wagon to the store, twenty miles
away. He was long time getting
there, for tho road was so heavy.
Mr.. Brown loaded his wagon, and
started back; but a tremendous fall Of
snow came and blinded him and
blocked his way. The storm continued
several days. The forlorn man stag
gered on as best he could, but it grew
colder and colder. He began to be
chilled through. Nobody knew what
finally happened TO him in those awful
hours, or what he thought about. Fol
be never came home. When the storm
cleared away, and people went to look
Tor him, they found him frozen stiff
and dead in the road. His wife was
dead, and his children had been left al
home alone to wait till he came back
with the provisions. What had be.
come of them, poor babies? 1t had moi
been so very cold when he left home,
and nobody thought any thing would
happen. There were two children,
Tommy and younger brother, only
four years old. Their father would
have hardly dared to leave them, cx'
cept that he had a beautiful and faith.
ful shepherd dog. This noble animal
was used to taking care of the children
Just as if they had been two lambs,
His name was "Shep." He watched
and guarded them at play during the
hours when their papa WAS obliged tC
leave them alone.
The little creatures and tho faithful
dog waited all day for MIR. Brown to
come back. They went to bed, and t.
sleep, and still the father was not there
next morning. They began to get hun
cry as the day wore on; but another
night passed, and the next morning
they were hungry indeed. The,
thought they would 60 out and try t.
find papa. They were not very warm
ly dressed, but out they went. The,
wandered into the woods, Shep aftel
them. 1t was Sunday morning wher
they left their cabin. They walked ant
walked, and cred bitterly; but no pap,
came. Shop Rugged as close to then
us he could. There were wild animal
in the woods that would have attacked
and devoured the helpless babies, oniy
for Shep. He was as brave as q liol
and faithful as q father. Worn out Il
last when darkness came, they huddlet
down against Shops warm coat an,
lay there. 1t is the greatest wonde
they did not die with the cold; bu
they did not. Toward morning !
became warmer and began to rain
How the poor things suffered whel
morning came! They had no hope an,
no refuge but Shep. They Rugged him
and cried together. They called til
they could shout no longer, but nObod,
came. At last. the younger brothe
said; ,.e.. .....lf ...
Tommy, o Tommy. I'm freezing t.
,leath!' Then what do you think thi
brave, tender big brother didp-bi,
brother though he was only six year
old. He took his own coat off, all tn
warm garment he had, and wrapped
around the younger child. The rail
poured in torrents. and Tommy ha,
nothing upon his shoulders but Il col
ton shirt; but he bore it all, and pullc
the coat close about his baby brother
There is not the least doubt the it'll
fellow would have frozen to death bu
for Ibis. SO at last the neighbor
found them out at noon Monday. cud
died down close together-TomIny, tn
small brother. and Shop. Anew hour
more, and both the children woul
have been dead. But how much tn
kind-heartcd people made over them
when they did discover them! Their
was hardly any thing good enough 70
those two whom the storm had lei
fatherless. They viii find plenty c
friends now. But Tommy Brown
the bravest, noblest little lad ! hav
| heard of in many Il day. He is one {
the heroes of the world. N ". Chri.
ran .Adrocatc.