The Afro-American advance., 1899-09-23

brought with us.
One lovely day In early June, we were
seated there, after eating our dinner. |
was reading book, and the children
were amusing themselves in various
ways.
Pearl Atherton stroIled alone across
the bridge, to look for violets, which
sometimes grew on the opposite side
In coming back, she stopped in the
middle Of the bridge, threw some leaves
into the water, and leaned against the
railing, watching them as they fioated
away.
The railing was old and in some man.
ner had become so loosened that il gave
way with her weight, and. with pierre
ing cry, she went down and out Of sight.
Tom stood upon the bank. white and
speeches., with look of agony shall
never forget.. He could not swim, and
so could never reach her.
But at the first cry Joe had stripped
of his coat. and in minute plunged In
and swan steadily toward the spot
where the little golden head went down
He grasped her as she rose to the
surface the second time, raised her
head out of the water. and slowly sysam
with her to the bank.
When ! took her from his arms, and
laid her upon the grass, the beautiful
face was white and still. but she had
been in the water such short time that
a vigorous rubbing soon made her open
her eyes and speak TO us, and she was
soon talking in her usual manner.
We wrapped her mp as well as We
could. and sent her home with a neigh
Dor who was passing in wagon.
Joe ran home, changed his clothes
and came back none the worse for hi,
wetting.
After the bell rang I missed Joe and
! Tom from their seats.
The back door was ajar and looked
out.
| There stood Tom with tears in bis
eyes, holding both .Joe's hands.
"Can you ever forgive me?' he was
| saying. ~ have been too hateful foI
anything, but I'm awfully sorry, Joe
| IL you'll forgive me II be better fel.
/ low after this. II Pearl had beer
drowned | don't know what would
have done. Oh, Joe! / thought would
die when saw her go under the water
| | can't ever thank you enough"
II don't want any thanks" said Joe
putting his hand on Toms shoulder
at Is all right. / was glad to do it
Don't say anything more about IT.
please
They talked few minutes longer, but
I did not hear what they were saying,
Then they remembered that the bell
had rung, and they came into the
schoolhouse.
From that day Tom was n different
boy. He was quiet and kind with the
other pupils, and he and Joe were fast
friends. lie grew earnest and manly
from seeing Joe's honest, upright life.
When the term closed. | came to my
eastern home. and after n few years en-
tirely lost track Of my pupils. Ibid not
know whittier they had drifted, or what
they were doing, though | often won
dered.
Ia the fall OF 1900 took trip along
the Pacific coast, and one Sunday morn
ing in company with friend, went TO
one of the finest churches had seen In
that locality.
As the minister began TO speak,
thought | saw something familiar In
his face and manner, but could not
place him. lie gave one OF the most ear
nest. eloquent sermons 10 which | ever
listened.
sat and wondered where could
have seen that man before. Suddenly II
cnme 10 me-it was the look and man.
ner OF my pupil OF years ago, Joe Nor
ton.
waited Ia speak TO him, and was in
vitcd 10 call at his home next day. And
there ! found him the same Joe in
| heart. nobly. tcndcrly caring for his
feeble. white.haired mother and in
valid father.
lie has made for himself name not
soon 10 bc forgotten in the state in
which he lives; he Is n strength and in
spiration 20 his friends; he has written
several books that stand high in the
literature of our country, and once he
was only a ragged, harc-footed boy.
What may you not accomplish is you
stand for the right and "try. try
again 2"-G Golden Days.