The Jersey City news., 1890-10-31


the semblance of hideous monsters;
masses of foam spread out like ghostly
wings, and a branch of sycamore like a
great white arm beckoning to her. There
were noises too The dam was lost, but
| there was sullen roar Of water, a grind
ing of the drift and a heavy crash as
some tree torn from its place flung itself,
as might despairing soul, into the
angry food.
"Why was born?" Oh, lonely girl!
millions have asked that question. Mill
ions will ask it again. To some life
brings an answer, to many there comes
no reply. Fate has lips as silent as those
of Memnon until the day breaks, the sun
arises and over the sands of ife's desert
is heard the immortal song.
She turned to retrace her steps 1t was
a favorite haunt Of hers, this bridge.
Being within calling distance from the
house it was safe, and it was habit of
hers to get away from the chattering of
her young brothers to indulge in mel
ancholy thoughts.
mo, IwM never drown myself; / viii
try to do right whatever comes; will
be patient" she said, and turned to take
last look. "The water will commence
falling by morning. My Godl what is
thatg'
''Helpi he1pl for Christ's salze!" From
mass of drift rushing swiftly down
came these words, in faint, strangled
voice.
.sHere is helpl' called the strong young
voice of the girl II see you; you are
coming straight under bridge. Do you
hearg'
'I-hear; Observation-Disclosures.
"You are almost TO the bridge Let
90 the log and catch hold Of this shawlp
and snatching it from her she lay down
and dropped corner of it to the water,
winding tho opposite one firmly around
her strong hands.
A moment more it was caught, almost
dragging her from her position, but with
superhuman effort she nerved herself for
the struggle.
"Hold on for your Ifel" she said, as
she drew the shawl up. Her arms were
almost wrenched from their sockets, but
she pulled steadily until she felt pair
of death cold hands clutch hers.
"Now," she said, "help a little your
self or can't save you. Put your foot
against that brace near you. Nowl' and
with an effort which almost parted body
and soul she raised herself, drawing the
exhausted man upward until she could
place her arms beneath his, and so drag
him up to the floor of the bridge, where
he fell, whether alive or dead it was i'm.
possible to say.
Nor was jamie Burton in much better
plight, as she was so overcome by ex-
haustion and excitement as to be unable
for a few minutes to do more than draw
painting, convulsive breaths Then real
izing the necessity Of immediate action
she raised her voice in long, piteous,
penetrating call for help.
It was heard, for the nearest cabin
was her home, and soon the swift feet Of
boys told that help was at hand.
When her brothers arrived the rescued
man had SO far recovered as to be able
to raise himself to a sitting posture, and
jamie was already on her feet.
"Boys," she said, sseach Of you take an
arm; you will have to bear his weight
as well as you can. Oh, here is mother.
We must get him to the house. hope
there is a good fire."
'sYes." said Mrs. Burton, ssthere Is
and some brandy, only little, but il
will help"
They got him to the house. How they
could scarcely tell, for he was almost
helpless; but when he came to the fire
on the hearth and had swallowed lit
tie spirits he revived sufficiently to ex-
plain that he had been looking at some
timber land, and riding too near the
bank it had caved off with him. He was
thrown from his horse, which he sup
posed was drowned. He could not swim
and so caught a log and drifted. II was
A o'clock when he fell in. Here he was
seized with convulsive shudderings and
could say no more.
sMake some strong coffee and bring it
very hot, while ! help the boys change
his clothes. Bring your fathers best
shirt and fannels. He has got an awful
chill"
jamie brought the clothes and then
went into the only other room beside
the attic and made the coffee. BY the
time it was ready the patient In dry
clothing had been helped into bed--a
bed wonderfully clean and soft, such as
may sometimes be found in lowly homes,
even on the Sender.
There was no sleep at the Burtons that
night. To boys Of 10 and ID this rescue
of a man from the river was an incident
too wonderful to go to sleep on. In their
exultation they were the heroes of the
night, Janie's part being overlooked
How they would triumph over the other
boys, boys who had never SO much as
saved dog in their lives. Then at the
first peep Of day they were to go for the
doctor up the bluffs and five miles out to
Oak Hill, the most beautiful country
home in all the region. What glorious
run it would be, and they would tell the
Stacy boys as they passed their house
about the wonderful rescue. Who could
sleep under such unprecedented circum-
stances?
AS for jamie and her mother, they had
enough to do. Their patient altcrnated
between terrible ligors and flashes OF
burning fever and toward morning be-
came delirious. This, however, did not
alarm them as much as might be sup
posed, SO accustomed were they to the
aioht f,f fevar Victims Thav did what