The Van Buren press., 1893-05-13

<13 but locally
known as Whalen lake. One Sunday
morning, five summers ago, Willie
johnson, the fourteen-ycar-old son of a
farmers widow living near the lake,
said to his mother, after his little chores
were done:
Mother, Johnny Porter and All
hughes (neishboring boys about his
own age) are going in swimming to-
day. May | go along?"
"Well, my son." replied Mrs. johnson,
you know that don't much like Sun
day sports, but suppose you boys do
need a good wash after your weeks
work in the harvest field, and il you'll
promise to merely take a 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
oil pretty good swimmers" rejoined
Willie, and with good-by kiss he
scampered gleefully away, while his
mother, already half regrettiAg 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 one for
little while and have some fun"
"Yes," broke in Alfred Hughes,
"we'll have good time. Jump right
in, win, and we'll 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,
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 mirror and SO wondrously
clear that the pebbly bottom could be
everywhere plainly seen.
The boys, shouting and laughing
with delight, pulled ont to spot about
three hundred yards equidistant from
either bank, and then All Hughes pro-
posed that they should anchor the boat,
undress and swim ashore, when, II too
tired for return trip, they would take
the other skiff and SO recover the first
and their clothes
This plan was enthusiastically APP
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!'
crieo Johnnie Porter, as the three
gistening forms rose to the surface
again.
"All right!' yelled the others, and
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 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.
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, Aft I'm tired out
$50 am l." dolefully cried johnny
Porter from his leading position. II
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 little
fellow turned back to his distressed
comrades side. :.
You're safe enough, Willie" he
cheerily sputtered. Put one hand on
nv shoulder and keep straight as q
log. and I'll tow you in"
For some distance further the over
weighted swimmer struggled manfully
on. encouraging his helpless burden as
hest he could Then, when no more
than fifty yards from shore, wine
family gasped: "Its-no-use-Alf-
rm-numb-all over! I'll drown
you-too-if-I-hold-on. Tell-moth-
er-I-was-sorry. Good-by' Ana
removing his cold hand the young hero
sank like IL stone -,
Alfred Hughes knew only too well
that he could not have sustained him.
self. and his companion as well, Tor
twenty seconds longer: but the knowl-
edge that Willie had voluntarily REIN
auish his only hope of life in order tha'
la MIGHT be saved sent thrill through
his chilled frame and he managed TO
call out brokenly: TIT,
"Johnnie! the boat! quick quick!
Willie is gonef -,
Rnt Johnnie had just dragged him
self by supreme effort ashore anu
could not have stirred, at the moment
to save world. A.. s;f
..Ohl Willie, Williew cried ALI as II
his friend could hear him: 81 cant dive
for Won. | must die, too. There's no
hope" A, ,as hv
Heavens mercy, one, slight though 1t
NAV be as a gossamer thread; Tor az
,h;s instant there came, running swift
iv down the slope to the waters edge,
,bs two men who owned the boats ana