Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-01-05

seated there after eating our dinner.
was vrading Il book, and the children
were amusing themselves in various
ways.
Pearl Athcrton Stroled alone across
the bridge To look for violets, which
sometimes grew on the opposite side.
In coming back she stopped on the
middle of the bridge, threw some
leaves into the water and leaned
against the railing, watching the leaves
as they iloatcd away.
The railing was old and in some man
ner had become so loosened that 1t
gave way with her weight, and with
n piercing cry. she went down and out
of sight
Tom stood upon the bank white and
spcechlcss. with n look Of agony
shall never forget. He could not swim
and so could not reach her.
But mt the first cry Joe had stripped
off his coat and in n minute plunged
in and swan steadily toward the spot
where the little golden head went
| down
liz SlHSlItu nv 40 Sit iOS' w sA'N
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 vigorous rubbing soon made
her open her eyes and speak TO us, and
| she was soon talking in her usual man
| ncr.
We wrapped her up as well rs we
could and sent her home with a neigh
Dor who was passing in wagon.
Joe ran home, changed his clothes
and came back. none the worse for
his wctting.
After the bell rang | missed Joe and
Tom from their seats.
The back door was aiar, and look
ed out.
There stood Tom, with tears in his
eyes. holding both ,Ioe's hands.
"Can you ever forgive me" he was
saving. II have been too hateful for
anything. but I'm awful sorry. Joe If
you'll forgive me, I'll be Il better fel-
low after this. If Pearl had been
drowned. | don't know what would
have done. oh. Joe thought | would
die when saw her go under the wa
ter. can't ever thank you enough
81 don't want any thanks" said Joe,
putting his hand on Toms shoulder.
ut is all right. | was glad to do 1t.
Don't say anything more about it,
please
They talked n few minutes longer,
but | 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 different
boy. He was quiet ana kind with the
other pupils and he and Joe were fast
friends. He grew earnest and manly
from seeing ,Toc's honest, upright life
When the term closed. | came to my
eastern home and after few years
entirely lost track of my pupils. DID
not know whittier they had drifted oil
what they were doing, though | often
wondered.
In the fall of 1890 took trip along
the Pacific coast and one Sunday morn
ing. in company with Il. friend, went tC
one of the finest churches. | had seer
in that locality.
AS the minister began to speak
thought | saw something familiar IL
his face and manner, but could moi
place him. He gave one of the mos
earnest, eloquent sermons to which
ever listened.
| sat and wondered where | coult
have seen that man before. suddenly
il came to mo it was the look ant
manner OF my pupil of years ago. Jo'
Morton.
| waited to speak to him and was
invited to call ut his home next day
And there found him the same Joe IL
heart, nobly, tcnderly caring for hl'
feeble. white haired mother and i'll
valid father.
He has made for himself name no
soon to be forgotten in the state II
which he lives. lie is strength an'
inspiration to his friends. He has writ
ten several books that stand high II
the literature OF our country, and one
he was only ragged, barefooted boy
Golden Days.