The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-05-02

AsS~ts-a.~ but locailv
known as Whalen lake. One Sunday
morning, FIVE summers ago, Willie
Johnson, the fourteen-year-old son of a
farmers widow living near the lake,
said to his mother, after his little chores
| were done:
Mother, Johnny Porter and Alf
Hughes tneighboring boys about his
own age) are going in swimming to-
| day. May go along?"
well, my son, )" replied Mrs. johnson.
"you know that I don't much like Sun
day sports, but suppose you boys do
need good wash after your week $
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,
all pretty good swimmers" rejoined
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
ised that we'd just take good bath,
and not run into any danger"
''Oh, it's all right, Will" explained
John Porter; ''the. skiffs belong to some
fishermen on the Other side of the lake.
They've gone to the village, l s'pose,
and we're going to borrow this enc for
a little while and have some fun"
eyes" broke in Alfred Hughes,
swell have good time. Jump right
in, VIII, and we'll row ont to the mid
die of the lake and take something like
a swim"
Willie johnson rather demurred at
this extension of the programme, but,
boylilse, 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 q mirror. and so wondrously
clear that the pebbly bottom could be
everywhere plainly seen.
The boys, shouting and laughing
with delight, pulled out to a 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 skiff 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 frstI'
cried Johnnie Porter, as the three
glistening forms rose TO the surface
again.
''An right" yelled the others, aud
each one struck ont 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 hai
never tried a course half so long as
this. and before they had gone one hun
dred yards their own forced exeTtions
and the low temperature Of the water
began to tell upon them.
However, they pushed Camelv on for
fifty wards further, bv which time youny
Porter was some distance in advance,
Hughes next and Willie Johnson d bad
third
Suddenly the latter called out: Help
me. All. I'm tired out"
80 am l." dolefulIr cried Johnny
Porter from his leading position. Il .
don't believe can reach shore"
You go right on, Johnnie. aad nv
to get the boat III help Wiliie, gal-
lantly said Hughes, and the brave Little .
fellow turned back 70 his distressed
comrades side.
You're safe enough. Willie" re
cheeriIv sputtered. Put onc hand en- .
my shoulder and keep straight ss a
log, and III tow you in
For some distance further the ever
on. encouraging his helpless burden az
best he could. Then, when no raorc
than fifty yards from shore Willie
family gaspe5: 'It's-no-liSe-Als-
] 'm-uumb-al- III - a-oS1-
yoa-too-i -if-I-hold- Tell-zctn-
fSoo1-5v. Aua
removing his cold hand the young hero
sank ike : stone
Alfred In ghes knew only too vell
3 p II 1ra--s
self. and his companion as wet. t9r
twenty seconds longer bC. the l-n1sy--
edge that Willie hzd voluntarily rea
-aish his c-.ly hops Il life II o-.icr IA,
be might be saved sent : thrill tAzolzA