Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-06-27
BILL WAS 4 HERO.

BILL WAS A HERO.
The most nerve, take him all in all
l ever saw IN any one man." said the
old sailor when his turn came to con.
tribute TO the fund Of anecdote, was
IN Bill Ordway, keeper of the Storm
Peak lighthouse. Bill had about rs
much regard for old Neptune and his
fury as he had for a class meeting eX-
hortcr, and more than one vessel Went
TO pieces on the peak whose crews
owed their lives to Bills success in
getting a line to them
All" said tie Uniyersalist, who lad
been eagerly waiting an opportunity to
give his wisdom little cutting. such
men have no need OF class meetings OF
moral teachers. Their lives, sir. are a
continual eXhorta ton. Here was a
man who was an honor to the power
that created him, as fearless as love.
as bold as inspiration, as
Yes, Bill was nervy, no doubt on
that point. l know what I am talking
about, for | was on the bark Blue
Wing when she struck off the peak.
1t was a dark night with a fearful
SEA running, and we were not aware of
our nearness to the rocks until we
struck. Immediate signals We're given
and Bill made us aware Of his presence
in the lighthouse, in reply.
After beating off and on for few
minutes, we deserted Bills yawl atop
of huge wave, and the next moment
it was alongside the Blue Wing. We
had four women and ten men aboard,
and Bill stubbornly refused to allow
a man to move until the women were
safely in the boat.
Now said he, EFF these bear VIM
mems to be lost, is better It only one
mans lost with 'em; so III take 'em
to the light, an return fer ye-'
But, my brave man. We cried,
you will need help. 1t is dangerous
danger? Help? Who'll mourn eff
ole Bill Ordway gifts stuck in the sand
at the bottom? What's the danger to
the business in hand?'
'Therev cried the Universalist, does
sacred or prDfane history produce a
grander spectacle of martyrdOm?'
$50 we let Bill put off with the
women, followed by our prayers
"'Prayers, the devil" beloved the
Universalist, what We're prayers COM
pared to the strong arms and the
dauntless heart of that grand old
ocean god, who was carrying human
souls to safety?'
away he went We could hear an
occasional scream from the ladies, as a
great wave tossed and pitched the
yawl but at last we got the signal from
Bill which told us that he was ready
to start back for u.s.
Talk about living for others,
sneered the Universalist; where is his
peer? 1t is the spirit, we are told
cha racterized Calvary and beatified-'
'And pretty soon we caught a
glimpse OF Ordway's boat making for
the ship as best it could. Within the
next ten minutes we were all safely
embarked and bounding on our way
toward the lighthouse, just in time to
see the Blue Wing make a headlong
pruusU Ian 4rntl,- tho
Glorious! Glorious cried the Uni
versalist 'Snatched from the very
jaws of death by a brave spirit with
no motive but pure love of humanity
and the pittance given him as tender
of the light
Eyes, old Bill did look the very in
strument of fate, as he laid to his oars
and sent the yawl plunging toward
safety We had reached perhaps
within 400 yards of the beach or cliff
when the captain of the Blue Wing
arose, and holding to the rest of us as
the boat pitched and tunlbled, thus adj
dressed Bill:
"'Brave man! / had heard much of
you, but never dreamed of the fullness
of heroism that clusters about you, like
the mighty armor and shield of some
famous warrior.
"Bill eased down on his rowing and
took chew of tobacco.
"'You shall be rewarded for this
"'Ahav cried the UniverSalist, there
was his opportunity! He promptly
and Indignantly repudiated the offer
and suggestion Of reward. Where is
your sectarian that shows such a
spirit?'
"I WILL said the captain of the Blue
Wing, see our congressman and you
shall have a medal for this grand
nights work
"'Still,' cried the UniversaIst, the
old hero rowed ON, repaid in the very
glory Of his deed
''No he didn't!' Bill simply shifted
his tobacco, blew his nose deliberately
and remarked:
"I don't happen t. be none o yer to
mantle, nickel library kind o fellows
Sands sand, but business is business
L reckon this jobs worth about $25.'
"'But, Bill
"'No dun monkey work. You fel
! lows jes' whack up er dumme if
don't sink this yawl right yer, ani
, drown'd every devil Nv We like so many
rats!
The Universalist was solemnly light
ing his pipe at the gas jet, and Of
course did not catch the true meaning
Of the last of the story.-ClevelanG
Plaindealer