The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-04-07
Just le. us take him on the i

a while. We won't keep him long
1t is such a splendid day; the ice il
as firm as can be. no danger at all
Get the little chap ready, there's a
good sister, and hurry up about it
We can't wait"
With a questioning look at Ketu-
rah, which she answered with an
emphatic nod, FASTENED to get the
little cap and mittens and gray ul-
ster, while the proud owner of these
boyish garments danced and pranc-
ed and wriggled with delight, till /
could scarcely get them on, and l
only had time for word of caution
before a grand rush was made for
the door, and Joey was off in high
glee.
"Old doctor Wilbur is hitchin'
up his team" said Keturah, as she
glanced out of the window for a last
look at the retreating boys. Il guess
some of them poor trash over to
Hinghams corner is took sick again.
They always send for doctor Wilbur,
cause he always comes when they
send. and he never charges nothing.
Them kind is mighty cute"
Smiling at Keturah's philosophy,
| hastened my work OF getting the
kitchen tidy.
But bark What was that? Loud
shouts, followed by an ominous ST
lence, and then a wild, confused
murmur of steps and voices. Ke-
turah and | gazed at each other in
dismay. Suddenly the kitchen door
opened, and viii, with cap and coat
of, with disheveled hair and face as
white as death, staggered into the
room and flung himself into chair
with a groan.
"Will !" said 1, breathlessly.
"Will Allen," gasped Ketursh,
rushing to his side and tearing his
hands away from his face. what
is it. Tell US, quick"
"OhD groaned the poor boy. "Oh
mother mother. And you left him
in my care. Oh, poor joey p
"What about joey? On, viii,
what has happened to joey ?"
Drowned" said Win, desperate
ly. "Went down through a breath
ing hole. They fshed him out, but
oh. dear, he's dead. They're bring
ing him home"
There was a tramping of feet out
side the door, and crowd of men
and BOYS entered, one among them
bearing dripping, halffrozen bur
den in his arms.
Was that our Joey ?-the little
white face set and rigid, the small
hands hanging helplessly down, the
brown eyes closed, and the long hair,
wet and shiny, flung back over the
clothes.
"Poor little chapl said the bur-
den-bearer, in a choking voice. " |
guess he's done for. Ye see, he
went under so far. and We couldn't"
voice grew husky, and he
turned away bis face.
"Oh. Lord Oh, Lord!" walled
Keturab. "What shall we do?
run for the doctor-some-I
body get something TO give him
somebody"-and she wrung her
hands helplessly.
No one moved. The man still |
held his dripping burden ; the crowd
waited. awed to silence | stood
ike a stone. nv head whirling, my !
senses fast leaving me, when a new
actor appeared on the scene.
What's all this?" said sharp
voice. and Miss Bashby's head was
thrust in at the door.
She took in the situation instant |
Iy-
Keturah Skinner she said. in a
commanding voice, take the child |
and carry him into my room. Sarah |
Allen. take the scissors and cut all
his clothes oil as quick as you can,
and wrap him up in blankets. Will, |
,top crying, and run no stairs and
ret the brandy. Jim Soooner, run
Tor DR.. Wilbur as fast as you can
he's Just started for Bingham
across lots and head
him eff. Dead? He shall not die.
Hot water. Keturah; hot bricks, ev-
hotl Now clear out, every
Desky one of you turning to the
,rowd) you can't do any good here.
Oh, how we worked we rolled the
poor little body in blankets ; we ap-
1lied hot bricks and hot water We
'ubbed the icy limbs.
Ten minutes went by-twenty.
Oh, Miss Bashby." F" l sobbed, 1" he
lever will wake neverI"
" Hush, child !" she said. and her
-oice was softer than / had ever
leard it, Il think we shall bring
lin to. There, l do believe he
,reathes little-don't stop q min
tie, keep right on working. Yes,
IN sure of it. "
Oh, what moment of suspense
hat was Surely be breathed. "Oh,
iod, only let him live"
Yes, said Ketura, Historically,
Just as sure as you're born a sim
Ier. he's comm out of itl"
When the doctor came, joey,
hough stillapparently unconscious,
lad shown unmistakable signs of
lie.
Well done, Miss Bashby," said
be doctor; you saved the young
ter's life this time. But it must
ave been a pretty hard fight. They
ell me ne was under tbs water sew
raj minutes.
All day and far into the night we
Eatched by Joey's bedside. Poor
title fellow, how like a ghost he
ooked. Strange to say when he be-
ONE conscious and could speak, he
rould have no one but Miss Bashby
bout him. He motioned US all
way, and nestled his curly head
own on her spare shoulder as if it
ad been the softest resting place in
be world.
How thankful we were, and hew
asy the daily tasks seemed Ke-
ura forgot her lame ankle entirely.
nd went abont singing Methodist
ymns in low, hushed voice, in
now and then by q spas
|