Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-08
when slight, almost inaudible snap,
caused Arthur 70 look up

something, perhaps yaBEcu bAt VI
iro4 in the pulley. had cut the cord hall
in two. and the rapidly increasing
weight that it was made TO bear, was
untwisting and parting its remaining
strands. It was the swapping of one OF
these that attracted Artbnr's attention
A moment later the cord would have
given way. The torpedo would have
plunged into the well and would prob
ably have exploded from conclusion
with the iron casing before it had drop
ped many feet. With such an explosion
both Brace and Arthur would instantly
have been blown into unacceptable
fragments
.'Hold the shell. Brace!' cried the boy,
''the ropes breaking."
The torpedo-man was quick 10 act in
an emergency, for his life was made up
Of them; and. without hesitation. he
did as directed. As the strain was thus
taken from the cord, Arthur drew it
down, cut i. at the weak spot, tied the
ends in firm knot, and reeled it taut
again. Then Brace rose from his stoop-
ing posture, and. not till then. did he
realize what had happened As he
eomprehended the situation be said
quietly:
''You have just saved my life, Arthur
and thank you for il"
Then he completed his task as though
nothing had happened. Two minutes
later the torpedo had been successfully
exploded. and the friends were driving
homeward talking over the incidents
Of the shot.
Brace set the boy down at cross
road not far from the Dustin House,
and, bidding the torpedo-man good
night, the little fellow ran home, feel
ing happier than he had for weeks.
Though he hardly realized the full
value of the service he had just rendered
his friend, he was sure that he had
been useful at . critical moment, he
knew that he had been praised for what
be had done, and he felt more manly
than ever before.
1t was growing dusk when he reached
the front gate, where faithful little
Cynthia was anxiously watching for
him and wondering where be could be.
'.oh, Cynthia.r be cried as he drew
near and saw her. I've had such
good time. I've been we'll
shooting with Brace Barlow. and !
saw the rope just IS il was going TO
break and told Brace, and he held the
torpedo while tied knot in it, and he
said had saved his life, though don't
see exactly how. and the very minute !
get grown up I'm going to be we'll
shooter"
1t was absolutely necessary for the
enthusiastic little fellow 70 pour
into some sympathetic ear the tale 81
what he had done. He had performed
brave act; and, in the first fush Of his
excitement. he longed to be praised for
il, as we all do whenever we have done
any thing that we consider especially
good, or worthy Of commentator. tits
a reward of merit, TO which all who have
earned il are entitled, AID to withhold
Just praise is as cruel as to extend I'M
Just eensure.
Cynthia would not have been guilty Of
any such unkindness- Ier eyes opened
wide as she listened to the tale her
Prince told Of bis brave deeds She was
Just catching her breath to rell him how
splendid she thought them, when they
we're startled By the sound Of harsh
voice calling;
ARTHUR. cyuthial Come into the
house this minute, you naughty chill
dren. and don't stay out there breathing
the night air"
"a boy must breathe some kind Of air,
Aunt Nancy, and when il is nigl,s time
l don't see how he can help breathing
night air. laughed Arthur, as be
reached the house; sor not even his
aunt's harsh tones could, at once, dispel
his good spirits.
"Don's tell me, answered Mrs. Dus-
tin. Il say night air IS poison, and !
won't have you breathing IL Now.
suppose YOU think don't know where
you have been ell the afternoon. but /
do. You've been on with Brace Barlow,
who oasht 30 know better than to take
you. shooting wells a~d trying 10 get
yourself blown into mince-moat just 10
make more trouble for me Yes.
know all about it. IN spite Of you sly
ways Now you may 20 right to bed,
and not a morsel Of supper shall you
have this night. which may be it'll be
lesson that you will remember for one
while any way"
Mr. John Dustin. who sat smoking his
evening pipe by an open window. rarely
inte-tered with his wife's management
Of the children; but nov he spoke up.
saying:
That won't do. wife: you only gave
The boy bread and water for his dinner,
and it won't do to send him 70 bed with
out any supper. believe in proper
punishment when it IS deserved, as
much as anybody; but when it comes to
starving, that's quite another thing. 1t
shall never be said shat my brother Rich
ards only son was starved in his uncle's
house So give the boy his supper and
plenty Of it. Then you can send him TO
bed il you see it,"
Mrs. Dustin knew that when her hus-
hand Sus,lya in this time he meant to be I