The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-10-14

the truth on every occasion, and look
ing into his earnest face, / would for
get the baggy clothes, the fiery red hair,
and the ragged hat.
Not far from the schoolhouse was
wide, deep stream OF water. which ran
dank and turbid in the spring. 1t was
crossed by footbridge with railing
on both sides. Nearly half the children
crossed this bridge TO get to school.
On pleasant days we often sat on the
bank TO eat our dinner, which we
brought with us.
One lovely day in early June, we were
seated there, after eating our dinner. i
was reading book, and the children
were amusing themselves in various
ways.
Pearl Atherton strolled 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 floated
away.
The railing was old and in some man
|
way with her weight, and, with pierre.
ing cry, she went down and out of sight.
Tom stood upon the bank, white and
speechless, 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
off his coat, and in a 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 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 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 up as well as we
could, and sent her home with a neigh.
Dor who was passing in a wagon.
Joe ran home, changed his clothes.
and came back none the worse for his
wetting.
After the bell rang missed Joe and
Tom from their seats.
The back door was aiar and looA ed
out.
There stood Tom with tears in his
eyes, holding both Joes hands.
"Can you ever forgive me?" he was
saying. 81 have been too hateful for
anything, but I'm awfully sorry, Joe.
II you'll forgive me / II be better fell
low after this. If Pearl had been
drowned / don't know what / would
have done. Oh, Joe! l thought would
die when l saw her go under the water.
1 can't ever thank you enough"
al don't want any thanks" said Joe,
putting his hand on Toms shoulder.
ut is all right. / was glad to do IL.
Don't say anything more about it,
please"
They talked a few minutes longer, but
l 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 a different
boy He was quiet and kind with tie
other pupils, and he and Joe were fast
friends. He grew earnest and manly
from seeing Joe's honest, upright life.
When the term closed, / came TO my
eastern home, and after few years en-
tirely lost track of my pupils. did not
know whittier they had drifted, or what
they were doing, though / often won
dered.
In the fall of 1890 took trip along
the Pacific coast, and one Sunday morn
ing i'm company with a friend, went to
one of the finest churches l had seen in
that locality.
As the minister began TO speak. I
thought saw something familiar In
his face and manner, but could not
place him. He gave one of the most ear
nest, eloquent sermons to which / ever
listened.
/ sat and wondered where / could
have seen that man before. Suddenly IL
came to melt was the look and man
ner of my pupil of years ago, Joe Nor
ton.
waited TO speak to him, and was in
vited TO call at his home next day. And
there / found him the same Joe I'm
heart. nobly, tenderly caring for his
feeble, white-haired mother and in
valid father.
He has made for himself name not
soon TO be forgotten in the state in
which he lives; he is a strength and in
SEPARATION TO his friends; he has written
several books that stand high in the
literature OF our country, and once he
was only n ragged, bare-footed boy.
What may you not accomplish IL you
stand for the right and "try, try
again ?"-Golden Days.
Extinguishcd.
A young and newly-married couple
were entertaining their friends, and
ornpprr tho er,,octo xs.ac ono txhoca nm