The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-02-09


I was reading 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 on the
middle of the bridge, threw some
| leaves into the water and leaned
against the railing, watching the leaves
as they fioated away.
The railing was old and in some man.
ner had become SO loosened that it
gave way with her weight, and, with
a 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 not reach her.
But at the first cry Joe had stripped
off his coat and in 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
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 a short time
that a vigorous rubbing soon made
her open her eyes and speak to us, and
she was soon talking in her usual man.
ner.
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 l missed Joe and
Tom from their seats.
The back door was ajar, and look
ed out.
There stood Tom, with tears in his
eyes, holding both Joe's hands.
"Can you ever forgive meY' he was
saying. 81 have been too hateful for
anything. but Pm awful sorry, Joe. If
you'll forgive me. III be better fell
low after this. If Pearl had been
drowned. | don't know what would
have done. Oh, Joe, l thought l 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.
"It is all right. l was glad to do it.
Don't say anything more about it.
please"
They talked few minutes longer,
| h,1f xr-ho
saying. Then they remembered that
the bell had rung, and they came into
the schoOihouse.
From that day Tom was a 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 to my
eastern home and after few years
entirely lost track of my pupils. l die
not know whittier they had drifted ol
what they were doing, though | Otter
: wondered.
In the fall of 1890 took trip along
the Pacific coast and one Sunday morn
ing, in company with friend, went tC
one of the finest churches | had seeI
in that locality.
AS the minister began to speak
thought l saw something familiar IL
, his face and manner. but could no
place him. He gave one of the mos
earnest, eloquent sermons to which
D ever listened.
sat and wondered where l coult
have seen that man before. Suddenl.
it came to melt was the look ant
manner of my pupil of years ago, Jo
e Morton.
l waited to speak to him and wa
e invited to call at his home next day
I And there found him the same Joe il
2 heart. nobly. tenderly caring for hi
: feeble, white haired mother and in
d valid father.
He has made for himself a name NO
n soon to be forgotten in the state i
s which he lives. He is a strength an
o inspiration to his friends. He has writ
ten several books that stand high i
: the literature of our country, and ono
e he was only a ragged, barefooted boy
s Golden Days.