Evening journal., 1899-09-30

80" - NANA- 90 '|f'A .NfNeNt'Af 'itA A'Rh~
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 a
wide, daep stream Of water, which ran
dank and turbid in the spring. It 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 a 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
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
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 Il 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 l 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 q short time that
a vigorous rubbing soon made her open
her eyes and speak to us, and she was
soon talking I'm her usual manner.
We wrapped her mp os well as we
could, and sent her home with neigh
bor 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 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. 81 have been too hateful for
anything, but I'm awfully sorry, Joe
II you'n forgive me I III be better fel
low after this. II Pearl had beer
drowned / don't know what ] would
have done. Oh, Joe. l 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. I was glad to do IL
Don't say anything more about &,
please"
They talked a few minutes longer, bu
did not hear what they were saying
Then they remembered that the bel
had rung, and they came into tn
schoolhouse.
From that day Tom was differen
boy. He was quiet and kind with th'
other pupils, and he and Joe were fas
friends. He grew earnest and mani,
from seeing Joe's honest, upright life
When the term closed, came 20 my
eastern home, and after few years en-
tirely lost track Of my pupils. Ibid no
know whittier they had drifted or wha
they were doing, though often won
dered.
In the fall of 1890 took a trip along
the Pacific coast, and one Sunday morn
ing in company with a friend, went e
one of the finest churches had seen il
that locality.
AS the minister began to speak,
thought / saw something familiar II
his face and manner, but could no
place him. He gave one of the most ear
nest, eloquent sermons TO which eve
listened.
sat and wondered where I coull
have seen that man before. Suddenly !
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. AM
there I found him the same Joe i
heart, nobly, tenderly caring for hi
feeble, white-haired mother and in
valid father.
He has made for himself q name no
soon to be forgotten in the state /
which he lives; he is q strength and II
spiration TO his friends; he has write
several books that stand high in tn
literature of our country. and once Il
was only a ragged, bare-footed boz
What may you not accomplish If yo
stand for the right and "try, tr
again 2"-Golden Days.
Ertinguished.
a young and newly-married coup
were entertaining their friends, an
among the guests was one whose cor
tinued rudenpss made him extremely Ol