Middletown transcript., 1897-03-27
ALEXIS l. DU POINT SCHOOL BUILDING.

1 sne UA4A OA tue StIeam anu aC OnceIOOk III
the s0n.
Joe Vas Standing on the bank, wringing
his hands and crying for help. "a and
Frog Bottle had just been hurled down the
stream at terrific speed which threatened
the immediate destruction of their frail
craft; and unless succor came at once these
boys would surely be consigned to a
watery grave.
Help, ifextended, must come from her.
Joe was beside himself with fright, and
shrek after shrek of terror broke from his
lips. Did she hesitate2 but for an instant.
With muttered prayer for their safety,
and the dear ones at home, she commenced
her perilous journey across the surging
mass of driftwood, unfastening the long
silken sash as she went.
She offered prayer that her efforts
might not be in vain, as her journey con-
tinued. Could she but reach that large tree,
hanging over the precipice, which they
were SO rapidly approaching, something
yet might be done.
Creeping along from log to log this he
roic girl made her perilous journey, some
times falling, then rising, bruised and
bleeding, until she at last reached the place
she sought.
Thank heaven! she was not too late. The
boys had been stopped for moment by
small eddy that threatened to swamp their
boat.
In an instant she had fastened the end
of her sash to the tree, to which she clung,
having added to its length founcs which
she tore from her heavy dress.
She was now extending the end to the
desperate boys, who were still clinging to-
gether, and were being driven by the cur
rent, nearer and nearer to the place where
she was awaiting them.
In another moment Ia had caught the
silken folds and was clinging with the
strength of desperation to his wounded
companion. In an instant he had fastened
the sash securely about his waist when,
with mighty effort, Mazda drew them
near enough to take hold the frail tree to
which she was clinging.
She realized that they must leave this
spot at once, or be whirled with frightful
force down the yawning precipice but few
feet beyond. Brave girl though she was,
her heart stood still.
Frog Bottle was fast becoming uncon-
scious.
She had undone the fastenings from the
tree, and had bound them about her own
waist.
Then cautiously they began the terrible
journey to the shore; sometimes falling,
sometimes drifting, they fought their way,
inch by inch, realizing. they were becoming
more and more untitled for this terrible
struggle. Would they reach the shore2
Ever and anon some drifting debris would
turn them from their course. It was mo-
ment of imminent peril; but help was at
hand.
As soon as Joe had seen his teacher max
ing her way towards the unfortunate boys,
he went with flying feet to summons help,
and two men who were hauling rails in the
adjoining field, hastened to the bank with
the lines from their horses, and made every
effort to extend them to the apparently
sinking boys and their brave teacher.
Frog Bottle is now helpless burden,
and look of deathly pallor is creeping
over Maida's face. Ia realizes that IL will
require heroic effort for them to reach the
rope.
In another moment, and it will be too
late. Will Mazda Cooper, their teacher give
upf No, with mighty effort she grasps the
rope, and in another instant they are
drawn by strong and willing hands safely
to the shore.
''SavedT' burst from the lips of this he
roic young girl, and she fell fainting, bleed
ing, on the wet sand at their feet.
Hastily they lifted this now unconscious
heroine, in their strong arms and carried
her quickly to the home of Doctor Mitch
ell; and with equally tender hands, Joe and
Ia carry their wounded, almost ifeless
companion to the same place, where every
thing that loving hands can do, is done to
restore them to consciousness. It is not the
work OF moment; but after long and ted
ious waiting they discover life is not ex-
tinct They redouble their efforts to revive
them and are overjoyed to see them show
signs of consciousness, and look with ten
der eyes on the kind friends gathered
about them.
In the meantime what had become ofZa?
In that moment of peril, he realized with
terrible distinctness how unmanly he had
always acted to this brave girl who had so
nobly risked her life to save his; and in
that moment the angels had registered
VOW, that in the future he would atone
for the past.
"a grasped the hands Of Joe and Frog
Bottle and they pledged themselves to be
true to each other, and true 10 their noble
rescuer while life should last 49,
EMMA De N. HAMILTON.