The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-03-19
ECI T was very narrow escape"
said the doctor.
Crossing the harbor?' ]


exclaimed.
"Yes," said he. with laugh, then
gravely, "it was my narrowest escape"
"Tell me the story" said l, much in
terested.
1t was quiet evening-twilight--
with the harbor water unruffied, and
the colOrs of the afterglow fast fading
from the sky. We We're sitting by the
surgery door. watching the fishing
boats come in from the sea, and our
talk had been of the common dangers
Of that life.
do you sec the little cottage on the
other side-back of the church and to
the left?" said the doctor.
Under the big rock?" said I. "With
The little garden in front and the lad
going up the path?"
AYE" said the doctor. "SOme years
ago. when that sturdy little lad was u
toddler in pinafores he was taken sud
1enly Ill. 1t was warm day in the
spring of the year. The ice was still in
The harbor, locked in by the rocks at
The narrows, though the snow had all
melted from the hills, and green things
were shooting from the earth in the
gardens. The weather had been fine
Tor week. Day by day the harbor
zee had grown more unsafe, until, when
Tommy, the lad you saw on the path.
was taken Ill, only the daring ventured
to cross upon 1t.
''Tommy's father came rushing into
!he surgery in pitiable state of grief
md fright. l knew when first caught
light of his face that the child was i'll.
Doctor said he, my little lads
wonderful sick. Come quickr
Can we cross by the ice? said.
i've come that way said he. '',Tis
,afe enough t risk. Make haste, doc
tor. sir! Make haster
Lead the way" said I.
He led so cleyerly that we crossed
without once sounding the ice. 1t was
zigzag way-a long, winding course
and l knew the day after, though /
Has too intent upon the matter in hand
10 perceive IT at the moment. that only
ais experience and acquaintance with
HE condition OF the ice made the pas
iage possible After midnight, when
my situation was one Of extreme peril,
realized that the way had been
neither safe for me, who followed. nor
easy for The man who led.
My boy Is dying, doctorr said the
mother, when We entered the house.
Oh, save himv
My sympathy for the child and his
parents-they loved that lad-no less
han certain professional interest
which takes hold Of a young physician
such cases, kept mo at Tommy's bed
side until long, long after dark.
aeed not have stayed so long-ought
aot to have stayed-for the lad was
,afe and out of pain. but in this far
away place man must be both nurse
ana doctor. and there l found myself
II IL o'clock of dark night, worn out
md anxious only to reach my bed by
@e shortest way.
thinks. SIR said Tommy's father.
Nheh made ready TO go, that
wouldn't go back by the Ice
~ nonsense, said I. we came
"er without any trouble, and I'll find
my way back, never fear
~ wisht you'd stay here the night
said the mother. If you'll bide. sir
Well make you comfortable
No. no. said I. I must get to my
own bed
III you'll not go round by the shore,
W. said the man, leave me pilot you
across
stay with your lad said I, some
what testify. I'll cross by the ice.'
Twill be the longest way homo
the night said he.
When man is sleepy and worn out
ue can be strangely perversc. I would
uave my own way, and, TO my cost. l
was permitted to take it. Tommys
."'ner ied me to the landing stage, put
gan IN my hand ana warned me TO be
."ieiui-warned me particularly not
~ '"ae step without sounding the ice
hhead with my gaff, and he brought
f,,, n'.'e iesson TO an end with wist-
'".; 1 wisht you wouldn't risk it,
Inc tone of his voice. the earnest.
.eSs ana warm feeling with which hc
'poke' gave me pause. hesltated but
,hc nght In my surgery window. shin.
'ns so near at hand. gave me n vision
y ciean and comfortable rest. and
put the momentary indecision away
from me. '""'
II Is quarter of n mile to nv sur.
sery by the ice.' said, and It is four
miles round the harbor by the road
I'm going the shortest way
he. ''"s's'' s'r' SAID
repeated my directions as TO the
mea'ment of Tommy, thea gave ths
nan ,oa good night and stepped out on the
,es gan In hand. The three hours FOL.
loving Were charged with more terror
aau despair than, doubtless. any wear
" my NE to come shall know. l am
~. morbidly afraid OF death. 1t wos
no' 'nnt-not the simple, natural fear
=. aeath that made me suircr. II was
sue manner OF Its comlng-In the night
""n the harbor folk. all Ignorant OF my