The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-11-10
YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN.


what was going on between them, think
ing it would soon wear itself out and
perhaps Joe would feel better to think |
lid not know. but | kept him with me
as much as | could and grew to like hin.
very much.
He made rapid progress in his studies,
and his everyday life showed strength
of character.
l could always depend or him to tell
the truth on every occasion, and looking
into his earnest face. | would forget the
baggy clothes. the fiery red hair. and the
ragged hat.
Not far from the schoolhcuSe was a
wide. deep stream CT water. which ran
aank and turbid in the spring. 1t was
rosscd by fcotbridge with railing
on both sides. Nearly half the children
crt SSCd this bridge to get to school.
On pleasant days often sat tho
bank to eat our dinner, which we
brought with us.
Ono lovely day in early June. we wer,
seated there. after eating our dinner. |
was reading Il book, and the children
We're amusing themselves in various
Ways.
Pearl Athcrton strolled alone across
the bridge, to look for violets. which
sometimes grew on the opposite side.
In coming back, she stopped i'll the
middle Of the bridge. threw some leaves
into the water, and leaned against the
railing, watching them they t1oatcd
away.
The railing WAS old and in some man
nrr had become SO loo>encd that it gave
way with her weight. and. with Il pierc-
ing cry, she went down and out Of sight.
Tom stood upon the bank. white and
>pcechle>S, with Il look Of agony l shall
never forget. He could not swim, and
so could never reach her.
Put at the first cry Zoe had stripped off
his coat. and i'll minute plunged in and
SWAN steadily toward the spot where the
little golden head went down.
He graSprd her as she rose to tho sur
face the second time. raised her head out
of the water. and slowly swan 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 i'll the water such a short time that
Il vigorous rubbing soon made her open
her eyes and speak to us. and she was
soon talking in her usual manner.
We wrapped her UP as we'll as we
could, and sent her home with neigh
Dor who was passing i'll a wagon.
Joe ran home. changed his clothes. and
came back none the worse for his wet
ting.
After the bell rang missed Joe and
Tom from their seats.
The back door was ajar and | looked
out.
There stood Tom with tears in his eyes.
holding both Joe's hands.
Can you ever forgive me-" he was
, saying. II have been too hateful for
any thing. but I'm awfully sorry. Joe. II
you'll forgive me. I'll be Il better fellow
after this If Pearl had been drowned
don't know what | would have done. Oh
Joe! | thought would die when l saw
her go under the water. l can't ever
thank you enough.
Il don't want any thanks" said Joe
putting his hand on Toms shoulder. 1T
is all right. I was glad to do it, Don't
say anything more about it. please
| They talked Il few minutes longer. hut
| | did not hear what they were saying
! Then they remembered that the bell had
| rung. and they came into the school.
| house.
From that day Tom was a different
boy He was quiet and kind with the
| ether pupils. and he and Joe were fast
| friends. He grew earnest and manly
from seeing .Joe'S hcnest. upright life.
| When the term closed. came to my
Eastern homo. and after !; few years
| entirely lest track Of my pupils. l die
not know whittier they had drifted. OF
what they were doing, though l Otter
| wondered
In the fall If 1890 took trip along
! the Pacific coast and one Sunday morn
! ing. in company with friend. went te
one Of the finest churches had seen il
that locality.
| As the minister began to speak.
! thought | saw something familiar in hi.
face and manner. but could not place
| him. lie gave one tf the most earnest
! "loHucnt sermons to which rvel
! listened.
sat and wondered where l could have
! seen that man before. Suddenly it came
| to nc--it was the look and manner OF
| my pupil Of years ago, Joe Morton.
! / waited to speak tC him. and was i'll
vitcd to call at his home next day. AND
thcrc found him the same Joe in heart
ncbly. tcndtrly caring for his feeble
whitc-baired mother and invalid father
He has made for himself Il name not
soon to be forgotten in the state in which
he lives: he is a strength and inspiration
| 70 his friends: he has written severa
| 'noks that stand high in the literature
of cur country, and once he was only ;
| ragged. barCfCotcd boy. What may yo'
| net accomplish if YOU stand for thu
| light and try. try again Pc. l.. Brown
! in Golden Days.