The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-08

forward deck ana broke out INTO That song
| SO familiar to residents of river towns in
| those days, and sang as only Mississippi
river rostabouts could sing. The leader,
perched upon some high object of freight,
sang the first and third lines as solo, and
the whole crew joined in the others, which
were sort of refrain. One should hear the
tune to thoroughly appreciate this musical
gem, but here are some of the words:
A bully boat and captain too;
Row, Mollie; row, gall
A handsome mate and jolly crew;
Row. Molhe; row, gal!
OF course the words were always made to
suit the particular boat upon which they
were being sung.
Mr.. and Mrs. Simpson had passed
through the cabin and out on to the cabin
deck, taking little Mile with them. They
had taken position near the stern of the
boat, SO that they might see and be seen by
their friends on the wharf as long as pos
sible. and were waving their handkerchiefs.
AS the Mollie was just opposite the wharf
boat Mile was raised to standing po-
sition on the guard rail by her mother,
who passed one arm around the child while
employing the other in waving goodbyes.
Suddenly Mile threw out her hands, as
L
was unprepared for such movement. The
child broke from her light clasp and fell
into the river, just far enough from the
boats side to be out of reach of its big
wheels suction. Mrs. Simpsons wild cry
was heard high above the beating of the
Mollie's wheel and the singing of her jolly
crew, and only her husbands strong arm
restrained her from plunging madly in
I..ft <hn fhav how hoo
the little one jump, and the faces that were
smiling at her efforts to wave adieu paled,
and the mothers anguish had an echo in
every heart.
felt and heard something rush by me,
and the old landing dock settled down as
If wave rocked as the figure of man shot
out into the deep water ten feet beyond.
He was coatiess and bareheaded, and there
could be no mistaking, by one who had
seen it, that head of bushy hair. 1t was
Freddy" Morgan. Before the boats Of
ficers knew what was the matter and had
rung down her engines Freddy" was more
than half way from the dock to the spot
where Mile had first disappeared. The
holder Of three championship medals
swim with a motion as speedy" as that
LC uoEu Al Scot1uS lOHeS piiLuOIs
Farther down streamW shouted man
on the shore. Freddy" raised his body
half out of the water, gave quick glance
off to his right and struck out again. Once
more he seemed to stand upright, and then
plunge head first under the water. He
was down half minute, which seemed an
hour to the anxious watchers, then up he
came with rush as if shot from spring,
htryI Ch
which we knew intuitively was the child.
By this time two men in a skiff were
pulling from the wharf to ''Reddy's" as
was preparing to land The skiff was soon
by "Reddy's" side, and we heard him
blurt out, as if short of breath:
"I'll carry the-little one-boys; but you
must tow-us inn
He grasped the stern of the small boat
as it swung around within reach, and the
boatInan carefully pulled for a point On
the shore just below the wharf boat
GIVE me something to lay her on" said
Freddy" as he hurried out into the gravel
beach. In an instant half dozen coats
were spread out upon the beach and the
unconscious child was placed upon them.
After carefully removing her shoes and
duO tcdIluS OFtu OIcSS, uhOT-
gan began to roll her about and to slap her
back with his open hand. She showed
signs Of recovering, and the tramp, who
seemed to know just what TO do, said, Zone
of you rub her hands and another slap her
feetn
He got on to his feet, and, drawing
black bottle from his hip pocket, pulled its
cork with his teeth and sat down again.
Taking the little g.:rl in his arms he gently
forced the moutlA of the flask between her
lips. She swallowed something with a
shudder, and ''Reddy" passed the bottle to
me and pointed to the cork between his
teeth. I understood him. Then he took
up one of the dryest coats and wrapped it
about the child as she lay in his arms.
She'll be all right now" he said.
Just then the Mollie rubbed against the
wharf boat, and white faced woman ran
toward us, followed by half dozen men,
the foremost of whom was her husband.
my child My Milliel Where is she?"
"She is here, and is uninjured, Mrs.
Simpson," said several at once.
Freddy" arose easily, and without say
ing word gently laid little Millie in her
mothers arms. Then he stopped, picked
something from the ground and hurriedly
thrust it inside his shirt. / alone observed
this movement as handed him his bottle,
saying, "You had better take some Of this
stuff yourself, old man"
Not now," he replied, and put the bot
tie in his pocket. AS he turned to move
away Mr.. Simpson came up to him, and
speaking with considerable emotion said:
My good man, I am your debtor for
more than / can ever pay. What can
say What can I do to in part show how
deeply grateful l amW
''Nothingl answered Freddy" rather
Grossly, and without changing his position.
But, sir, l insist. You do not look like
one who has all he could use of this worlds
goods. hope you will accept a small
token of my gratitude" and Mr.. Simpson
took from his wallet twenty-dollar bill
and held it out.
"rli take nothing from you. AS you
say, / am not overburdened with worldly
goods, and I've seen the time-and not long
ago-when didn't have a cent and was
hungry; but / don't want any of your
money. I'd advise you to take that saw
buck and buy new padlocks for the Gala
Soose with il"
"Reddy" turned. and the man who had
treated him so unfeelingly twenty-four
hours before saw to whom lie was in
debted for saving his child's life. His face
flushed and he looked very uncomfortable,
but he said:
~ was hasty yesterday, my good man,
and ask your forgiveness, promise you
that no man shall again be turned away
from my door hungry. Pardon the wrong
l did you, and accept something from me
for the service you have done me and mine
today"
No" said Freddy" in a softer tone than