Middletown transcript., 1901-05-04
!. Mr.. WiIton's Office Boy !.
BY HoR1ITo 4LGER .JR.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BY H0R1IT0 4LGER, JR.

because nave no skates.
''You may use mine while am gone
home to supper"
"Thank you, Charlie, l shall enioy
it,
Il think my skates will fit you"
Yes, our feet are about of size"
/ Most of the boys enjoyed their skating
SO much that they deferred going home
to supper, so that Robert had plenty Of
company when on Cnarlie's skates he
sped swiftly over the ice.
"We shan't have skating much longer,
Rob," said Fred Lathrop. at is begin.
! ming to melt already"
''You are right. l think this will be
the last chance for the present unless the
weather gets colder"
1.-THE ice is quite thin over the east
side of the pound, but still the boys go
there. Do you see that little fellow with
the sealskin cap?"
Yes; what of him?'
1T is the son of your employer, Clar-
ence Wilton. He is an only child, I be-
lieve. His parents idolize him, 1 am
told"
He seems bright little fellow, l
never saw any of Mr. Wilton's family be-
fore"
Clarence Wilton was one of the i'm
prudent boys who ventured out on; the
thin ice. He was rash and thoughtless,
and only laughed when told he was run
ming risk.
II only weigh eighty pounds!" he said,
Il guess the ice won't break"
And then Robert heard loud cry.
'The ice is cracking"
A crowd of excited boys and girls were
looking on when the ominous sound was
heard. All escaped in safety except one,
who was further away from the strong
ice than the others.
Clarence Wilton is in!' shouted
dozen voices.
1t was quite true. The treacherous
ice had given way, and the little boy, af-
ter an Intellectual struggle had broken
through.
The boys looked on as if paralyzed, and
appeared not to know what to do. All
except one.
Robert had his wits about him, and
though he knew his own danger, he
started swiftly for the dangerous spot.
you'll be drownedp' exclaimed his
companions. Robert uttered not word,
but kept on.
He reached the dangerous chasm, and
he too, was ingulfed, but he had grasped
the little boy, and held him up so as to
prevent his drowning.
Bring rail, quickp' he shouted.
There was rail on the ice not far
away, as he knew. Half a dozen bows
seized it and pushed it toward the i'm
periled boys.
Not without powerful effort, Robert +.
managed to pull himself and Clarence
out of the icy water. Both were shiver-
ing from their terrible BATH Poor little
Clarence was crying with the cold
They got off the ice as quickly as they
could. Near the pond was hack.
"Get in, Clarence" said Robert. 81
will take you home"
Where to?' asked the driver.
"Where do you live, Clarence?''
The little boy named the street and
"Drive on as fast as you can," said
Robert, "you will be well paid"
There was great alarm at the house of
Mr.. Wilton when the two boys arrived.
Mr.. Wilton himself admitted them.
Bobert hurriedly told the story to his
employer.
''Now," he said, 81 will get Mr.. Irwin
to take me home"
mo" said the merchant, ''it is danger
ous for you any longer to keep on YOUR
wet clothes. You must come in and 90
to bed, as well as Clarence, and will
send for the doctor"
"But my mother will be anxious
Il will send messenger to tell her
where you are"