Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-02-01

| 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 a
wide, deep stream of water, which ran
dank and turbid in the spring 1t was
crossed by a footbridge with a 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.
was reading book, and the children
were amusing themselves in various
ways.
Pearl Atherton strolled alone across
the bridge, 10 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 foated
away.
The railing was old and in some man
ner had become so loosened that II 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 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 1 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 a short time that
a vigorous rubbing soon made her open
her eyes and speak 70 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 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.
If you'll forgive me l IL be a better fell
low after this. II Pearl had been
drowned ! don't know what | would
have done. Oh, Joe! ! thought / would
die when saw her go under the water.
/ can't ever thank you enough"
Il don't want any thanks" said Joe,
putting his hand on Toms shoulder
1T is all right. l was glad TO do it.
Don't say anything more about it,
please"
They talked a 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 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, / came 60 my |
eastern home. and after a few years en-
tirely lost track Of my pupils. Ibid not
know whittier they had drifted, or what |
they were doing, though | often won
dered
In the fan Of 1890 ] took trip along
the Pacific coast and one Sunday morn
ing in company with a friend, went to
one Of the finest churches had seen in
that locality.
As the minister began 10 speak, /
thought ] saw something familiar in
his face and manner. but could not
place him. He gave one of the most ear
nest, eloquent sermons 20 which | ever
listened.
I sat and wondered where | could
have seen that man before. Suddenly il
,ame to met was the look and man
ner of my pupil OF years ago, Joe Nor
ton.
| waited to speak to him, and was in
yited 10 call at his home next day. And
here | 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
.oon to be forgotten in the state in
which he lives; he is a strength and in
.piration TO his friends; he has written
several books that stand high in the
literature of our country, and once he
Vas only a ragged, bare-footed boy.
What may you not accomplish If you
stand for the right and "try, try
again ?"-Golden Days.
Extinguished.