Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-08-17
HEROISM WINS REWARD.


head caught its radiant glory and
shone SO dazzlingly bright one would
think heavens own gates were open,
disclosing glimpse of its splendors.
Leaning ON a gate of modest cot
tage, apparently absorbed in the beau
tiful picture before her, was a fair
young girl. with face too sad and
careworn for one SO young. Suddenly
a look of pain crossed her face, and
her sweet lips trembled as the voice
of her little brother reached her, say
ing in plaintive tones Mamma, does
heaven look like that, and am ! to go
there soon?'
Forcing back the tears which would
fill her eyes, she turned to the win
dow where the little sufferer lay. and
said In gentle voice: what, BERTHE.
dear! Would you leave mamma and
me all alone?" And the child. seeing
the grieved look on his sisters face,
smiled sweetly and answered:
20, no. Lii; but it does look so pref
~, and papa is there, you know"
And she knew that unless they
could procure the necessary medicine
for him he. too. would be there with
papa.
Soon her thoughts went back sadly
to the time, only short year ago,
when, surrounded by everything
fathers loving care could suggest,
she had not one thought or wish I'M
gratified; then of the dark days which
followed so swiftly on her fathers
death, and the struggle with poverty
since; but she resolved that in some
way she must save her brothers life.
To resolve was to do with Lillian. and
entering the room where her mother
sat sewing, she said cheerfully:
mamma, | think l will take Mrs
Browns dress home tonight, and if
you do not object l will take my
wheel and go for spin afterward
may ~
Certainly, dear; you are not look
ing well, and it may do you good. /
can't have my little daughter ill.," and
she looked with love and anxiety at
her daughters pale face. Bending
over, Lille kissed her ON both cheeks,
and said laughingly: "Well, then. l
will go, but do not worry if am
little late"
And this is what she intended do
ing: Her father, just before his death,
had given her high grade bicycle.
and, although she had wished to sell
it, her mother absolutely refused to
let her part with it. Now, however,
she must sell it. she thought, even
though it nearly broke her heart. for
she was an expert wheelwoman, and
it formed her sole enjoyment.
She delivered the dress, and was
riding slowly along, wondering how
she could dispose of her wheel to the
best advantage, when shrill scream
startled her, and glancing up. she saw
a dainty child walking slowly along,
while rushing down the street behind
her was huge black dog The people
were hurrying in every direction, and
cries of Mad dog filed to Dir, but
no one paused to help the little one.
who stood in helpless bewilderment.
With a cry of "Cowardsr' Lillian
turned and rode with all her might
toward the spot Would she get there
first and could she save the child?
were the thoughts that filed her
mind. for the dog-as though divining
her object-had sprung forward faster
than ever Now only block remained
between them. Could she do it in
that space?
Gripping the handle bar firmly with
one hand, she breathed low "God
help me-" and sped on with all her
strength, and, as though in answer to
her prayer, the dog stumbled and fell;
only for a moment, though, when on
he came, flinging the foam from his
cleaning teeth. But Lillian saw her
advantage, and setting her teeth hard,
she reached out and grabbed the child
by her dress as she dashed by. The
pain in her arm was intense, and the
shock almost unseated her. but, with
grim determination to do or die, on
she sped.
She could hear the painting breath
of the maddened brute behind her;
she could almost feel his hot breath.
And then, O, heaven! with an ugly
growl he leaped forward and sank his
teeth into the tire. Quick as thought.
then, she jumped from the wheel, just
as quick shot rang out. and she saw
the dog, with one convulsive shudder.
drop dead.
The excitement proved too much for
her, however, and she sank to the
ground with low moan. When she
recovered kind faces were all around,
and bending over her, gently bathing
her sprained arm was richly dressed
lady, who, in answer to Lillian's
family murmured rs the child safey'
burst into tears and in a broken voice
tried to thank her for her child's life.
Six months later there was a grand
wedding. The bride was Lillian, and
the gentleman standing beside her,
looking so brave and handsome. was
the Titles child big uncle, who fairly
worships the little heroine who saved
his pets life; and in the little page,
looking so well and rosy, we recognize
little Berthe. And so, to the chime of
wedding bells, We leave them.-Bos-
ton Post