Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-05-06
tCopyright,1s 500, by
the Authorl

johnson, the tOurteen-Year-Olu son OF u
farmers widow living near the lake,
said to his mother, after his little chores
were done:
Mother, Johnny Porter and Alf
Hughes (neighboring boys about his
own age) are going in swimming to-
day. May go along?"
well, my SON. replied Mrs. Johnson,
S'you know that don't much like Sun
day sports, but l suppose you boys do
need good wash after your weeks
work in the harvest field, and if you'll
promise to merely take bath close to
shore and then come straight home,
you may go. But don't forget your
selves"
"Oh, no; We'll be very careful, mother,
and not get into danger. Besides, we're
all pretty good swimmers rejo;ned
Willie, and with a good-by kiss he
scampered gleefully away, while his
mother, already half regretting her de-
cision, looked after him with 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 similar craft
lay alongside.
why, boys" inquired Willie, where
did you get the boat? My mother didn't
give me leave to go sailing, and prom
tsed that we'd just take a good bath,
and not run into any danger"
''Oh, it's all right, WILL" explained
John Porter; "the sliiffs belong to some
fishermen on the other side of the lake.
They've gone to the village, 1 s'pose,
and we're going to borrow this one for
a little while and have some fun"
"Yes," broke in Alfred Hughes,
Swell have a good time Jump right
in, WILL and Wen row out to the mid
die of the lake and take something like
a SWIM
Willie Johnson rather demurred at
this extension of the programme, but,
boylilIe, allowed himself to be over
ruled and the three thoughtless young
sters were quickly afoat. The water
though deep to the very shore, was
smooth as mirror, and so wondrously
clear that the pebbly bottom could be
everywhere plainly seen.
The boys, shouting and laughing
with delight, pulled out to spot about
three hundred yards equidistant from
either bank, and then Alf Hughes pro-
posed that they should anchor the boat,
undress and swim ashore, when, if too
tired for return trip, they would take
the other slliff and SO recover the first
and their clothes.
This plan was enthusiastically ap-
proved of, and, dropping the little
anchor, the boys threw off their scant
garments and plunged fearlessly over
board
! Lets see who'll touch land first!"
cried Johnnie Porter, as the three
glistening forms rose to the surface
again;
"All right" 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 summer its waters are decidedly
cold. All the youngsters thought them
selves good swimmers, but they had
never tried course half so long as
this, and before they had gone one hun
dred yards their own forced exertions
and the low temperature of the water
began to tell upon them.
4 However, they pushed gamely on for
fifty yards further, by which time young
Porter was some distance in advance,
Hughes next and Willie johnson bad
third.
Suddenly the latter called out: Help
me, ALI! I'm tired out"
$50 am l." dolefully cried Johnny
Porter from his leading position. Il
don't believe can reach shore.''
"You go right on, Johnnie, and try
to get the boat I'll help Willie," gall
1antly said Hughes, and the brave little
fellow turned back to his distressed
comrades side.
you're safe enough, Willie" he
cheerily sputtered. Put one hand on
my shoulder and keep straight as
log, and I'll tow you in
For some distance further the over
weighted swimmer struggled manfully
on, encouraging his helpless burden as
best he could. Then, when no more
than fifty yards from shore, Willie
family gasped: "It's-no-use-Alf-
Im-numb-all over! I'll - drown
Yoa-too-if-I-hold-on. Tell-moth-
er-I-was-sorry Good-by." And
removing his cold hand the young hero
sank like stone.
Alfred Hu ghes knew only too well
that he could not have sustained him
self, and his companion as well, for
twenty seconds longer: but the lSnowl-
edge that Willie had voluntarily relin-
quish his only hope of life in order that
he might be saved sent thrill through
his chilled frame and he managed to
cal out brokenly:
'Johnnie! the boat! quick. quiclSl
Willie is gone!"
But Johnnie had just dragged him
self by supreme effort ashore, and
could not have stirred, at the moment,
to save world.
"Oh Willie, Williew cried Alf, as if
his friend could hear him: 81 can't dive
for you. must die, too. There's no
hope!"
Is there, indeed, none? All, yes, by
Heavens mercy, one, slight though it
may be as gossamer thread; for at
this instant there came, running swift
iy down the slope to the waters edge,