The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-05-06


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 (neighboring boys about his
own age) are going in swimming to-
day. May go along?"
''Well, my son. replied Mrs. johnson,
'syou know that don't much like Sun
day sports, but 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" reioined
Willie, and with good-by kiss he
scampered gleefully away, while his
mother, already half regretting her de-
eision, looked after him with sigh.
On reaching the lake he found his
comrades waiting for him and in pos
session of a small boat, to which they
were fitting oars, while q 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 1 prom
ised that we'd just take a good bath,
and not run into any danger"
''Oh, it's all right, WILL" explained
John Porter; "the sl1iffs belong to some
fishermen on the other side of the lake.
They've 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'n have good time. Jump right
in, Will, and We'll row out to the mid
die of the lake and take something like
q swim"
Willie Johnson rather demurred at
this extension of the programme, but,
boylike, 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 a mirror, and SO wond rously
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 ALI 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 sliff 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.
''Let's see who'll touch land firstv
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 it's waters are decidedly
cold. All the youngsters thought them
selves good swimmers, but they had
never tried a 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.
However, they pushed gamely on TO,
fifty yards further, by which time young
Porter was some distance in advance
Hughes next and Willie johnson a bat
third.
Suddenly the latter called out: "Hely
me, ALI! I'm tired out"
$50 am l." dolefully cried Johnny
Porter from his leading position. g.
don't believe can reach shore"
"You go right on, Johnnie, and try
to get the boat. I'll help Willie," gal
lantly said Hughes, and the brave Mttl,
fellow turned back to his distressed
comrades side.
"You're safe enough, Willie," h,
cheerily sputtered. "Put one hand OF
my shoulder and keep straight US ,
log, and I'll tow you In"
For some distance further the over
weighted swimmer struggled Manfully
on, encouraging his helpless burden a.
best he could. Then, when no more
than fifty yards from shore, Willie
family gasped: "It's-no-use-Alf-
I'm-numb-all- over! III drown
you-to0--if-I-hold-on. Tell-moth
er-l-was-sorry. Good-by." And
removing his cold hand the young here
sank like stone
Alfred Hughes knew only too wei
that he could not have sustained him
self, and his companion as well, To-
twenty seconds longer; but the knowl
edge that Willie had voluntarily velip