Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-07-30

~; II not tell you,' she demanded,
"that il vou n%ain disturbed the $, hool
YOU should lr pupish-d?"
"pi"ase nr,n." said Iigr. II didn't
crop IT," marilr; Paul Iaorcy dropped
it, cause - ed him
lie is mis- aiken, Miss Christian, "
quickly answered Paul, surprised at the
sudden courage of Lige. Il knew moth.
ing of it until heard the noise"
lie did drop it, and dropped it a pur
pose, retorted Lige, "and he knows he
did. seed him do it, sly like"
"Lige is speaking untruthfully, id
Paul, his face turning red: and he lor!,ed
nppralingly at his companions.
That will do" said tie teacher. you
were told to be careful, Thomas, and you
have wilfulIy disobcycd me; now go and
stand in that corner until you are given
permission to sit down"
The boy obeyrd. But somehow the
scholars didn't en- joy the scene as much
as they expected. Several had seen Paul
drop the marble, and were surprised that
the lame boy had the courage to dispute
his word.
90 i'' pun ILlSe, tIllS HlpllC h'lllIllu-
ton was almost too great for endurance
lie had never before given vent to his
feelings, but now he felt the injustice too
kccnly, and his pride was sorely wounded
lie hung his head, and hot tears rolled
down his cheeks. He had never felt so
lonely and frlendless in his life, and
would have given even his beautiful mar
fnr To-, of
sympathy, one tender touch of a friendly
hand.
At noon Lige did not join in the games,
but limped down to a tree overhanging
the little river. He was sitting there
pondering over his sad life, and watch
ing the swift current, when he was
Joined by Paul Mabrey and several others
of the boys.
How dared you deny my word ?" an
Grily demanded Paul.
You know you done it," answered
Lige, and you done it a-purpose
"How dare you!" again exclaimed
Paul, as he reached for stick near the
bank
Just as he touched it his foot slipped :;
in moment he had fallen from the bluff
and was struggling in the water 10 feet
below. He could not swim, and his help
less companions screamed with alarm as
they saw him borne swiftly away.
Suddenly there was splash in the
water some distance below, and a small
boy with shrunken leg was seen swim
ming rapidly toward the drowning lad
A shout of relief rent the air when he
reached Paul and caught him Just as he
was sinking for the third time. With
ngonizing faces tue scholars watched the
pale little cripple strike for the shore, la
horiously and slowly swimming, and up
holding his rescued burden. second
glad shout arose when, little later, Paul
Mabrey, with strength revived, grasped a
s:rong weeping willow branch that
reached out some eight feet from the
shore.
Bnt none seemed to notice that just as
mle, trembling hand grasped friendly
limb it dropped in weakness, and the cur
rent soon bore it out of sight
\ few days aftcrward band of school
children, bearing bouquets and led by
Paul Mabrey, slowly marched toward the
c'm~try and stopped beside newly made
grave. With bowed heads they gaz"d
awhile upon the narrow home of the lit
tie dead hero, and then began to deck the
mound with their flowers, watering it
freely with tears. They fingered aw hic,
then, with chastened and pitying faces,
slowly left the place-all except one boy.
CRYING as if his heart would break. pros-
trate upon the small lonely grave.