Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-23
An INFANTS NERVE.
Drawn Up Prom n Deep Cistern Ciinxinr
to . PitehfsIk.

Drawn Up Prom n Deep Cistern Ciinging
to . PitehfoIk.
Prom the Providence Journal
Little Charles Lee Burden. the twenty-five
months-oid grandson Of Lee Burden. the seam
less wire manufactures. and Charles II. Thur
ber, the agent Of the Society Cor the Prevention
Of Cruelty 20 Children, il being pested ana
csressed BY the citizens Of Elmwood, both a. a
musical prodigy and more particularly in rec
ignition Of his wonderful presence Of mind and
courage in the presence Of death by drowning
which he recently displayed under the most
trying circumstance even 20 one Of maturer
years Charley was visiting Grandpa Burden
on Greenwich street q few DAYS ago, and. clad
IN q summer ulster and tieh'-nt'ing bonnet.
was playing In the yard, accompanied BY HIS
grandmother. There d q cistern In the ward
ten feet In depth, about eight feet in circum-
ference and containing seven feet OF water. IL
IL supplied with an iron cover and precautions
have been taken 10 have il securely fastened
Charley, with the inouisitive tendencies which
a bright and persistent temperament invariably
produce, decided 20 make an investigation. His
grandmother left him for instant. and the
child, in come unexplainable manner, either
succeeded in fitting the cover hy partly raising
IL or else as he stepped on the edge IL was raised
sufficiently 10 make an opening through which
the adventurous infant was precipitated.
The grandmother returned 20 the spot where
she had left him, but he had disappeared. She
called out to him. but no response was heard
She made q circuit OF the grounds. but no
trace OF the boy was disoernible. Happily she
thought OF the cistern and seeing that the cover
was bottom side mp she removed it from the
opening and WINS terrified TO discover Charlie
floating on the surface OF tho water He had
probably fallen into the cistern feet foremost
and his clothing had bouyed him mp, 90 that he
was able 20 Goat temporarily. The frantic
grandparent called 10 him and he responded
brayely. She besought him 90 raise his head
q little and then called out 20 the gardener 60
come to the rescue. Peter FASTENED 20 the
spot and in his perplexity could not devise an
immediate plan OF action
Mrs Burden realized the dire peril Of the
situation and seeing a small pitchfork near
by she seized il, and with Peters assistance
made desperate effort 60 fasten il into the
INFANTS clothing. The cistern was dark and
II was with extreme difficulty that the exact
location Of the child could be discerned All
the while the grandmother was urging Charlie
10 keep up courage and utter,ng words OF
loving solicitude and the little fellow responded
with iisping assurances. Finally the handle 81
the pitchfork was thrust within reaching dis
| lance end Charlie was hidden TO cling fast 70 e.
He Is a vigorous, well-developed bow and he
| quickly clasped his little hands around the
staff and chung 70 it with logged determine
ton.
Slowly and steadily the weight was lifted "a
a
ping figure was clasped in the arms OF his de-
liyerers. Charlie was cool and self-possessed and
was quickly taken into the house and supplied
with an outfit Of dry clothing. and hot drink
was administered TO him. He hsped that he was
pretty wet, but that he was a smart boy because
he swimmed in the water. Then he asked 10 be
taken home to Grandpa Lee. and while being
trundled along in his carriage he launched
forth with his favorite song. John Browns
BODY Lies Wondering in the Grave" with in
fantile fervor and enthusiasm. When he
reached the house he proceeded 90 give q
quaint and amusing story Of his mishap, and
demanded new suit Of clothes in place of those
which had been wetted in the well. ct IL need
less to say that he has been supplied with tho
suit, and he is holding receptions daily 20 sd-
miring callers TO whom he relates his version
of the accident, and regards il q sore Of Joke.
The little fellow viii probably abandon the
repetition of the experiment. but his miraculous
escape, coupled with his GOODNESS and pluck,
promises to make him the youthful hero u
Elmwood for some time.