Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-12-30

leaving his present home and going 10
some part Of the country where he
would not be known.
The weeks Of autumn passed, and tine
rigorous western winter came in all
its ferocity. Fierce, binding snow
storms wrapped the rolling prairie in
a thick, white mantle, and Jack Frost
chained the creek and mill pond with
crystal letters. Soon the pond pre-
sented q smooth field Of Ice to the de-
lighted skaters.
Joe liked to skate as well as any boy,
but he seldom appeared on the ice when
his old schoolfellows were likely to be
there. He usually chose as his time tor
skating when they were at school.
But on Christmas day he decided to en-
joy his favorite pastime.
Joe had nothing to busy him that AFT
ernoon, and taking his skates he ran
over to the pond. What was his chag-
rim to find the boys and girls already
in possession Of the ice. He halted on
the margin, undecided as to his course.
As he stood there he heard shout from
the other end Of the pond. There was
piece of treacherous ice in that d.
rection, and Joe sprang forward and
gazed with startled eyes. The crowd
was skating towardthe dangerousspot.
Somebody had broken through.
| Joe's skates were already strapped
to the heavy leg boots which he carried
in his hand. 1t was but the work OF a
moment for him to kick off the shoes
he wore and pull the boots on his feet.
Then he darted out upon the ice and
J sped down the pondlike an arrow from
the bow. No boy in Five Forks could
skate like Joe Hall; and none in that
group of terrified youngsters kept his
head as Joe did. No one had dared 60
near the broken ice, but Joe dashed on
| toward it like the wind.
Look Quit" yelled Bob Murray see
ing him coming. "lt's crackingall about
there"
But Joe kept right on. When some
wards from the hole he cast himself
4 flat upon the ice and slid along almost
, as rapidly. the sharp points of his
skates dragging as a brake. The treach-
t erous ice sagged and cracked beneath
r him, but he slid on until his out
Y stretched hands touched the edge OF
h the hole. The white, fear-stricken face
and weaklyJbrandishing arms Of Leon.
e ard Ashton were just before him.
t Joe dug his skates deeper into the
ice and seized the drowning boy by the
e collar. Poor Len gripped his arm des
d perately, but he was too far gone t6
h otherwise assist himself. Joe felt un
Y equal to the task Of pulling his old
|, time enemy out. In few moments
r Lens weight would drag him over thu
n edge. too.
/" "Quick!" he shouted. Zone Of 70,
fellows lie down and grab my leg
IT Make lifeline. Ican't hold him long.
!, Nobody moved for moment. Thel
VI Bob Murray skated cautiously forward
IS laid down and wormed himself along
the ice until he could grasp Joe's ankles
:" Another boy quickly followed ant
lie seized Bob's legs. Soon there was
string Of humanity leading back to tn
" solid ice-a human "life line" indeed
l. Then the others laid hold, and with
l. mighty tug the line of boys was dragge'
back, and Len came with them.
n, Joe got up and skated away withou
a q word, and when the excited boys ans
* girls looked around for him he had lef
the pond.
v Len was hurried to the school-hous
I'd and his father sent for. Mr.. Ashto
r. carried his son home under an almos
m suffocating weight of blankets and hui
n falo robes in the bottom of his sleigh
N and Len was put to bed and dosed wit
ct hot drinks, until by morning the dan
o. gerous effectsof his accident were aver
ed.
We When he came down to breakfas
a as wan and interesting-looking an II
valid as a healthy boy of Is with
snub nose can look, he saw an obiet
living beside his plate which brougt
a cry of Arrangement to his lips It wa
Is the cameo ring.
rs "Where-where did 1T come from
Did Joe"
to "Stop!" exclaimed his father, wit
h. some sternness. "Just remember thf
if it hadn't been for Joe Hall, In a
" probability you wouldn't be eatin
" breakfast with us this morning An
n his voice broke.
Mt Don't know that?" responde
Len. gulping down lump in his om
|e- throat. "But where did that ring com
on from?"
to "When your mother was maxim SON
lis punl0in pies, yest'day, she found itwhe
nd she went to cut her punkin,' said M
nv Ashton. at was just where IT fell whe
you boys was foolin' that day-jamme
right down next the stem OF the punki7
n. It'd serve you just right II took tn
ring away from you, after maxim 4
much trouble with it."
he But he didn't, OF course, for Len wol
it for good many years afterwar
lis and I guess his boy wears it now. LIE
rb himself probably never looks at tn,