The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-08-14
~It froza hard last nfght.s

"It froze hard last night"
81 skated here earlier than this last
season"
"Be careful, young ladies'" put in the
warning voice of teacher, as two
or three ran down the slight declivity
to the ice.
"It's as firm as rock"
"What a glorious slidel Come on,
girls!"
The merry peals and exclamations
rose higher. Philip turned his head for
q moment to see members of the frolic-
some crowd darting this way and that
rs they tried the smoothness of the ice.
A moment later sharper sounds cut
through the air. A cracking and rend-
ing of the ice-screams of dismay and
terror. AS Philip rushed back O. fearful
scene met his shocked eyes. The greater
part of the ice had broken away and
sunk out of sight, leaving q dozen or
more of the girls in water of no great
depth A few who had been SO fortu-
nate as to have remained near the shore
were splashing their way out or climb
ing the steep banks.
1 WlGn OuS RldDCo l. All1p laON la VhS
whole situation; then, with warming
cry, ran at full speed around to the
farther end of the pond. He knew every
inch of it, and knew that some were
threatened with danger more serious
than that which might follow an icy
foot path.
go back-go the other way" he
called, wildly gesticulating to two who
were making their way toward him.
"The waters deep this way-go back"
One of the girls turned. The other,
with eyes wild with fright and bewil-
derment, still came toward the quarter
of the pond in which remained a surface
of unbrolxen ice. AS she advanced, the
water deepened about her, and she gazed
from one side to the other in increasing
alarm.
BY this time the news Of the disaster
had spread, and the people were gather
ing from every direction. Men ran into
the shallow water to give help. Before
long all had been rescued except the
one whom Philip was anxiously watch
ing.
Others were anxious, for all knew the
treacherous character of the bottom of
the pond Just there. To approach might
mean death to two instead of one. She
was in the middle, water all around her,
, except on one side, the ice toward which
she was making her way.
Phillip gazed desperately around him.
She must be helped out that way, but
how? No one could venture on the thin
, ice.
On the bank lay wooden frame or
skid which had been used the winter
before in the ice-cutting season. With
help from others Philip drew it to the
ice and made fast to it rope which
had been brought. Then he knelt upon
the end of it.
''Give it q Shove" he directed, and
the frame slid over the ice toward the
girl.
, 1t brought him near enough to grasp
. one of her trembling hands, and he
never forgot the look she turned upon
him.
"Oh-I thought I was going down.
here, with so many near."
, "Not bit of it," said Philip, cheer
:, fully, Notwithstanding little gasp as
the too vigorous push of his assistants
sent his knees into the water as the ice
bent under him.
:, "We're going to get out right off,
now," he went on. ''Don't take step
, forward. It's deep water right ahead
: of you. Now-the only way for me is
to drag you up on this"
1 With all his strength he pulled on her
hands, striving as well as her half par
alyzed limbs would allow her to mount
= upon the skid. But to his sore dismay
) Philip was soon obliged to see the hope
n lessness of this means of rescue. With
every attempt the ice bent under him,
, destroying the frail support
Cant you turn and walk the other
b way?" implored Philip. "See-they are
ready to throw you ropes. 1t is your
4 best chance"
a The poor girl half turned, but
whether from utter benumbing of her
4 limbs or from the stupefcation Cd
fright, again laid trembling grasp upon
9 Philips hand.
i "We must get a boat" was cried from
r the bank. SIT is the only thing to do"
Q "a boat!" came in a gasp from the
girl. "I shall die before it comes"
9 "You WON'T" said Philip, from be
|. tween his chattering teeth. "You're
+ not going to die with so many all round
S you"
, The two or three boats which be-
i longed to the school were always taken
4 out in the autumn and stored in q
building near It, Very well Philip
;. knew that with the best efforts there
would be perilous delay in bringing
:, one.
r "Where's tho key ?" was asked, as men
7 hurried toward the boathouse.
c No one knew.
"Batter 1t down."
q This was quickly done, men moving
Q with an impulse given by the knowledge
q that life and death were hanging on
their efforts.
X Philips icy support was bending
Il lower and lower and he was half inn
& nlersed in the water.
"Oh-youn leave me-youIl leave
y me-"
Philip could scarcely hear 1.-THE de-
y spairing cry from the stiffened lips.
7 81 will not" he said, firmly. won't
Is leave this till you do. They're coming
e don't you hear them shouting upon
the hill? Plenty of me-and all put
s ting in their best for your help. Only a
6 little longer"