Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-12-07

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 foated away.
The railing was old and il some
manner had become so loosened that it
gave way with her weight, and, with
piercing cry she went down and out
of sight.
Tom stood upon the bank white and
speechless, with a 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 directly 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 l took her from his arms and
laid her upon the grass, the beautiful
face was white and still, put she had
been in the water such a short time
that 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 in 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 ajar and I looked out. There
stood Tom with tears in his eyes, hold
ing both Joe's hands.
Can you ever forgive me-" he was
saying. Il have been too hateful for
anything, but I'm awfully sorry, joe
If you'll forgive me, I'll be a better
fellow after this If Pearl had been
drowned l don't know what l would
have done. Oh, Joe! I thought I
would die when l saw her go under the
water. l can't ever thank you enough"
Il don't want any thanks" saia Joe,
putting his hand on Toms shoulder.
1T is all right. l was glad to do it.
Don't say anything about it, please"
They talked a few minutes longer,
but [ did not hear what they were say
ing. Then they remembered that the
bell had rung, and they came into the
schoolhouse.
boy. He was quiet and kind with the
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 l came to my
eastern home, and after a few years
entirely lost track Of my pupils. [ did
not know whittier they had drifted, or
what they were doing, though I often
wondered.
In the fall of 1890 | took trip
along the Pacific coast and one Sunday
morning in company with a friend
went to one of the finest churches l had
seen in that locality. AS the minister
began to speak, | thought l saw some
thing familiar in his face and manner,
but could not place him. He gave one
of the most earnest, eloquent sermons
to which l ever listened. [ sat and
wondered where | could have seen that
man before. Suddenly it came to me-
it was the look and manner of my pu-
pill of years ago, Joe Morton.
[ waited to speak to him, and was
invited to call at his home next day
And there found him the same Joe in
heart, nobly, tenderly caring for his
feeble, white-haired mother and in
valid father.
He has made for himself a name not
soon to be forgotten in the state in
which he lives; he is a strength and
inspiration to his friends; he has writ
ten several books that stand high in
the literature of our country, and once
he was only a ragged, barefooted boy.
What may you not accomplish if you
stand for the right and try, try
n?'-Golden Days.