The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-03-29
THE MiLLPOND SLIDE.
How Little Dicks Heroism and Presene
of Mind Saved His Brothers Life.

PreQQneA
/ of Mind Saved His Brothers Life.
Harry! Harry! Let me go with
you, will you?" cried a childish voice,
and little Dick Hargrave ran out of the
gate with his sled, as his elder brother
started for Long Hill.
''Oh, botherT'' exclaimed Harry, inn
patiently, what under the sun do you
want to go to Long Hill for? Slide
down the bill back of the barn; that's
big enough for YOU"
But all the boys are over on Long
Hill, and mamma won't let me go un-
less you're there" replied Dick. in a
disappointed tone.
II wouldn't care if you weren't.such
. baby, Dick" returned tic elder broth
er. Last time you CRIED because it
was cold, ard howled as though your
your neck had been broken when you
tum bled off your sled"
''But it was dreadfully cold that day;
mamma said my fingers were most
frozen when l got home. And most
| anyone would have cried to have their
face scratched like that" and Dick, in
defense, pointed to the cour: plaster
|
We'll, come along, if you must"
said Harry ungraciously. II do wish
you weren't such a coward, Dick"
Dick trudged silently along in his
brothers wake. He realized that he
was very timid for a great boy of ten
years, and he tried to cure himself of
it; but Harry's treatment of him was
not calculated to inspire him with
courage, for the elder brother was con-
tinually making sport of, or scolding
the younger.
Long Hill was the only hill of any
considerable size within FIVE miles of
the little village of Merely. In the
summer it was the haunt of all the viii
| lage children, for nowhere else did the
berries grow plentifully. At the foot
of the hill, too there was the millpond,
in whose waters sundry small fish
were to be found. But now the pond
was frozen over.
| The boys had made two slides on
Long Hill-one down the road, and
the other little to the left of IT, The
latter was much sleeper. and abounded
in what the boys called bumpers, and
ended at the shore Of the pond, the
sleds shooting out across the ice to tie
opposite shore by the impetus given
them. The smaller boys usually kept
to the road slide, but older ones pre-
ferred the sleeper declivity, as some
! little danger was lent to the sport, as
well as its being longer and better
slide.
Harry Hargrave had not been coast
ing for two or three DAYS before. and
his appearance on the hill was hailed
with shout of delight by the lads al
ready there. He was an acknowledged
leader in all their sports-a spirit-a
spirit SO daring and impetuous could
not fail to win boyish affections. As
Harry and Dick toiled up the road drag
ging their sleds they noticed thata the
boys were sliding on the road. and that
the mill-pond slide was deserted.
''Now mind you slide down the road,
youngsters" warned Harry, as they
reached the summit of the hill I'm
going to have a spin across the mill
pond.
He picked up his sled as he spoke and
running with it little way slammed"
it. throwing himself forward as he
reached the crest of the hill. Then
like an arrow he shot down the slide,
while chorus of shouts arose from the
boys who saw him.
Look out, Harry!'
''Come back.'
They've been cutting ice on the MILL
pond!
but could no more stop the course of
his sled than he could have stayed a
locomotive All he could do w as TO cling
terrified to the sled and be carried
down the slope and out upon the pond.
The ice had been cut two days be-
fore, and a thin layer had formed over
the open water. Had he not been so
terrified he might have crossed the
weak ice swiftly and in safety; but in
foolishly trying to stay the sled his
boot heel broke through the ice. and a
moment later the ice cracked all about
him, and he was in thewater.
The crowd OF frightened boys stood
on the brow of the hill. without being
able TO DO the first thing 10 assist their
irnperiied cornrade. Only one retained
presence of mind enough 20 think
quickly and act as well
Dicks mind was at work from the
instant he understood Harry's danger.
He could do nothing TO save his brother
him self. and he knew the other boys
were too bewildered 20 assist him. But
across the pond a, the mill was plenty
OF help-the men would know what TO
do.
1t was mile around by the road. bat
it was straight course down the slide
and across the ice Dared he risk his |
life on that treacherous ice for his
hrother2 These thoughts passed /
through his mind with the rapi9ity Of
lightning
Not an instant did he hesitate. bat /
almost 81 the moment Harry broke |
through the ice Dick left the summit |
OF the hill and went spinning down the |
slope before the other boys could detain /
him. Swift as the wind he sped down /
the slide and few out across the ice. He |
was light Of weight. but even unces /
his sled the ice bent and cracked
The watchers FROM the hilltop NJ /
most held their breath In apprehension.
as they followed the brave little fellow |
with their eye<. bat he crossed ibe /
dangerous place in safety and reached .
the solid ice beyond His sied moved /
more slowly. and finally struck the OPP /
posite shore
lie staggered up the hank and ran 20 /
the mill There was plentv o. assist /
$1,000 4><- thA -draxnlr4 hax -iaere and