The Grit-advocate., 1902-12-26


He seemed surprised and little an
noyed. as he said, "Ah! | had 1orsot
ten; look farther on!"
After l had made my selection, we
were preparing to set out again, when
suddenly from near the mill-pond. in
boys shrill voice came cry Of Help!
help!" Hurrying along we found
Dudley, one of the first-form boys
running up and down in state OF
frenzy.
"Oh, save him, sir! 1t is Warde;
he fell in. and the current is taking
him straight for the big wheel"
There. indeed, the poor little chap
was, rapidly drifting to certain DEATH
for in the current he seemed as help
less as straw. 1t appeared almost
hopeless to try to save him, but In
moment Old Jimmy had plunged In,
and with strong, rapid strokes was
making straight for the wheel. VIII
he be in time? 1t seems almost i'm
possible. But with mighty effort he
clutches the boy just as he is about
to be sucked down into that fearful
place of death. Now with one hand he
grasps the strong timber work in
front of the wheel, but in doing so his
head comes in violent contact with 1t.
If he can hold ON for few seconds
they will be saved, for here come the
miller and his man with rope. Quick
ly it is let down within Jimmy's
reach, and, hurrah! we are drawing
them out of the reach of danger.
But poor Old Jimmy! the water is
tinged with the blood from a terrible
wound on his head; and his face is
CHASTITY pale as we carry both him and
the boy into the mller's house.
Look after the boy!" he mutters;
never mind mel am all right
Dry clothes are hastily found for
them, and the miler's wife offers to
prepare bed for poor Old Jimmy,
who is now too weak and faint to
stand.
NO, no; take me home, please, and
quickly" he said.
So the horse is put into the miller's
light springcart, and tenderly we lay
Old Jimmy down in it, making him as
comfortable as we can. The boy who
is none the worse for his adventure,
but who is now weeping bitterly, is
also put in; and l, taking the reins.
drive them home as fast l can with
| out unnecessary jolting.
Both were put to bed. and tele.
gram was sent to the mother, saying:
Your son saved from drowning to-
day by one of his masters. Boy will
be all right tomorrow; master dan
gerously hurt"
Forty minutes later there came in
reply: Starting from Scotland by
night mail"
All through that night l sat up by
Old Jimmy's bedside. 1t was plain to
see he was very i'll, and the doctor
said: "He is dangerously hurt, and
may die. l have done all l can for
him now, and will call again in the
morning"
When l told Old Jimmy that Mrs.
| Warde was coming down by the night
| mail he stared at me in daZed kind
| Of way, and said, Who IS Mrs.
| Warde? OIL know! Thank Cod"
Before morning he became light
headed and wandered in his talk
Molly. are you not coming? Is it
too cold or too late? You must not
miss your beauty-sleep. dear; good.
| night! Shlafe recht wohl, traume
suss!" Then again: How could you
marry him, Molly, and break my
heart? You did not love him! Was
l hasty? Forgive me. dear! The boy
sake!"
He did not know me or the doctor,
who had again been summoned; but
once he started up, listened, and said
eagerly, "Hark, bark; the train is
coming! Signal to stop! Molly, how
sweet the currant blossoms smell in
your bosom!"
After that he lay as II in slumber
for about couple of hours. Day had
beamed, and we heard the sound OF
wheels on the avenue and a woman's
voice say, as she alighted: Take me
to see the brave man who saved my
boys life!"
Softly and on tiptoe she was shown
into the room. Never shall l forget
that scene. At first she started with
surprise, then loving look Of recog-
milton came into her eyes, and she
flew to the bedside sobbing: "Bertie,
BERTHE. how can l ever be forgiven?
broke your heart, and in return you
have saved my boy! Speak to me,
Bertie!" She seemed totally regard
less of the presence Of the doctor and
me.
At the sound of her voice Old Jim.
my once more opened his blue eyes
and whispered: "Molly-sweetheart-
at last! Kiss me-let US forgive. |
have been dreaming-dreamin
sweetly-now l must go to sleep. Say
it once more, Molly: .Schlafe recht
wohl, traume-suss od-night!-suss
-suss.'"
He lay so still that for awhile We
thought it was not good night" alone,
but goodbye" that he had wished
her and all the world. Thank Goo it
poft Era Ipp0 ha hopor p,o,,,