Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-06-01
A FAULT REDEEMED.

il small, land. locked lake, not note(
on extant maps, but locally known a
Whalen Lake. One Sunday morning
6ye summers ago, Willie johnson, th'
fourteen. year old son Of farmer
widow living near the lake, said to hi'
mother after his little chores were done
Mother. Johnny Potter and All
Hughes (neighborng boys about his
own age) are going in swimming today
May l so along?
Well, my eon,' replied Mrs. johnson
you know that don't much like Sun.
day sports, but suppose you boys dc
need good wash after you're weeks
work in the harvest field, and If you'll
promise to merely take bath close tc
shore and then come straight home, you
may 60. But don't forget yourselves.
oh, no ; we'll be very careful, moth.
er, and not get into danger. Besides
we're all pretty good swimmers re-
Joined Willie, and with a good-by kiss
he scampered gleefulIy away, while bis
mother, already half regre'ting her de-
cis,on, looked after him with a sigh.
On reaching the lake he found his
comrades waiting for him and in pos
session of small boat, to which they
were fitting oars. while a similar craft
lay alongside.
Why. boys, inquired Willie, where
did you get the boat? My mother did
mt give me leave to go sailing, and
promised that we'd just take good
bath, and not run into any danger
oh, It's all right, Will,' explained
John Porter the skitfs belong to some
fisherman on the other side Of the lake.
They're gone to the village. | s'pose,
and we're going to borrow this one for
little while and have some fun.
Yes broke in Alfred Hughes, we II
have good time. Jump right in, Will,
aad we II row out to the middle of the
lake and take something like IL swim.
Willie johnson rather demurrcd at
this extension Of the programme, but,
boyhke allowed himself to be overruled
and the three thoughtless youngsters
were quickly aAoat. The ter,though
deep to the very shore, was smooth as
a mirror, and so wondrously clear that
the pebbly bottom could be everywhere
plainly seen.
The boys, shouting and laughing with
delight, pulled out oaspot abont three
hundred yards cqui!istant from either
bank and then Ali Hughes propose that
they should anchor the boat, undress
and swim ashore, when, il too tired for
a return trip. they would take the 9th.
er skih and SO recover the first and their
clothes.
This plan was enthusiastically ap
proved of, and, dropping the little an
chor, the boys threw off their scant gar
ments and plunged fearIess!y over
board.
Lets see who II touch land first /
cried Johnny Porter, as the three 6 lis
tening forms rose to the surface again,
All right y yelled the others. and
each one struck out at his best speed.
Now, Whalen Lake is fed principally
by living springs, and even in the heat
Of che summer lis waters are decidedly
cold. All the youngsters thought them
selyes good swimmers, but they had
never tried a course halt 30 long as this,
and before they had gone one hundred
yards their own forced cxertions and
the low temperature of the water began
to tell upon them.
However, they pushed samely Oh for
fifty Yards further by which time young
Porter was some distance III advance,
Hughes next aud Willie Johnson a bad
third.
Suddenly the latte, called out :
Help me, At I'm tired out.
so am L. dolefully cried Johnny
Porter from his leading position. i
don't believe | can reach shore
You 90 right on, Johnnie. and try to
get the boat. Ill help Willie gallant
ly said Hughes, and the brave little
fellow turned back to his distressed
comrades side.
You're safe enough, Willie.' he cheer.
fully sputtered. Put one hand on my
shoulder and keep straight as a log. and
III tow you m
For some distance further the over
weighed swimmer struggled maniully
on, encouraging his helpless burden as
best he could. Then, when no more
than fifty yards from shore, Willie FAINT
ly easped: 'lts-no-use-A't--lm IN
-numb-all-ove It'd WI
you-too--if-I-hold--on. Tt i
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. q o o d-b y.
AnJ romov;,r his hand the vollnp nero