Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-02-06
CHAPTER WI.


wonder at the old man who asked him to
pen the message for him, saying, simply:
81 can not write, will We send 1t to him"
They had about two hours to wait before
the boat would start, and this same clerk
in about an hours time came out of his
Office briskly hunting around with con-
siderable excitement for Uncle Aaron.
"Ahl here you are. Here's an answer" he
said, handing it TO him.
"Read it, Rose" said Uncle Aaron. 81
can make out print, but not letter writing"
Rose took it, looking very white, but one
glance, after she had unfolded it, was
enough. She gave low cry and burst
into tears. This astonished the brisk clerk
very much, who, knowing what was in the
telegram, didn't see any thing in 1t TO cry
about. He stood wondering at her, until
Uncle Aaron, taking the crumpled paper
from her fingers, said to him: "Read 1t to
mel
at says,n said the clerk, in business
like way: Thank God; will meet you
without fall Shall get the lady glass OF
water, sirln
"No, thank ye," answered Uncle Aaron,
putting his arm into that OF Rose, and
leading her down the slope towards the
boat; ''much obliged to ye."
"Queer old Dick" unused the brisk clerk,
looking after them. II suppose she's his
daughter. She'd be good looking If she
didn't cry son Then, being a practical
young man, he dismissed them at once
from his mind and went back to his work.
The sail down the Hudson river was ac-
complshed in the usual time, and finally
the New York wharf was reached. Rose
and Uncle Aaron made part of the crowd
that leaned over the railing nearest the
dock. Eagerly Uncle Aaron glanced into
the faces below him and finally caught sight
OF Jacob 'srhere he is, Rose-see him :" he
exclaimed, pointing excitedly. No, Rose
couldn't see him. A mist of tears hid the
dock and all from her sight. But this
passed, and eagerly Uncle Aaron pointed
him out again. THAT'S him with the black
beard, Rose-seep
"Yes,n answered Rose, family; ~ should
have known him."
1t seemed long time before the boat was
made fast and the broad gang-plank put
down, and then how the crowd surged
ashorel ssCareful thereln called out one OF
the officials, "not so many at a time.n
Uncle Aaron let Rose go first, and Jacob
sprang up foot or two along the plank TO
meet her. s'My wife he exclaimed, as he
took her in his arms, blind TO every thing
save the one stupendous fact that she had
come back TO him. Uncle Aaron, few feet
up the board, stopped still, gazing at them,
his great heart beating with joy.
"Come, come, get along you, can't your
said some one behind him, and then-per-
haps it was because he was blinded by his
happy tears or because the careless crowd
jostled too roughly-but Uncle Aaron's foot
slipped from the gangplank, he struggled,
lost his balance, and fell into the water. In
stantly a shout went up s'man overheard,
with ring of fear in 1t that filed ev%y
heart Rose, unclasped second before by
Jacob, had seen him fall. "Save him Oh,
for the love Of God, save him ~ she shrieked,
springing to the edge. "Win no one save
hint"
Jacob had thrown of his coat and was
about to jumpin, when strong arms held him
back, saying: THAT is folly; they are
throwing him a rope-seeln "Let-me-
go-n struggling and biting In his agony
He was a giant He burst from his captors
and leaped overheard Rose. like piece OF
marble, In strained torture, bent over look
ing at them. Jacob caught his father and
tried to hold him up. Whether 1t was his
great size and weight, or whether II was
Uncle Aaron's unseltish impulse to help
himself was not known-but he slipped and
again sank. Jacob Immediately dived. BY
this time small boat had been let down
Jacob came up again. his father In his hold
he struggled, fought out towards the boat
reached 1t, held on 10 1t with one hand and
took a moments breath. Two men in the
boat eagerly hauled him in. And then sucf
a shout as went up from human threats
Men roared, huzzaed, shook hands with eact
other, strangers kissed each other-such is
that blind, instructive brotherhood Of man
over the saving Of life. But was he saved
The cheering ceased, the crowd grew still
first with doubt and then with awe-strucl
certainty made dumb. The boat was haulec
ND TO the dock and the form Of Uncle Aaror
was slowly lifted out.
"Oh-hi not deadl" cried out woman''
voice with lonely wall in it like the cold
shivering sigh OF the wind on the winters
night-snot dead"
The crowd trembled a moment in sympa
thy and then stared as a beautiful woman
| kEILg 9@8kcQ
| ~ ~ N ~