Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-04-10

against the railing, watching them as
they foated away.
The railing was old and in some
manner 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 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 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 vigorous rubbing soon made her
open her eyes and speak to 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 wagon. Joe
ran home, changed his clothes, and
came back none the worse for his wet.
ting.
After the bell rang I 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 I'll be better
fellow after this. If Pearl had been
drowned 1 don't know what 1 would
have done. oh, Joe! thought would
die when 1 saw her go under the water.
l can't ever thank you enough"
81 don't want any thanks" said Joe,
putting his hand on Toms shoulder.
at is all right. I was glad to do it.
Don't say anything more about it,
please"
They talked q few minutes longer,
but did not hear what they We're say
ing. 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, 1 came to my
Eastern home. and after few years
entirely lost track of my pupils. did
not know whittier they had drifted, or
what they were doing, though often
wondered.
In the fall Of 1890 took trip along
the Pacific coast. and one Sunday
morning, in company with friend,
went to one of the finest churches l
had seen in that locality. AS the min
lister began to speak, l thought I saw
something familiar in his face and
manner, but could not place him. He
gave one of the most earnest, eloquent
sermons to which 1 ever listened.
1 sat and wondered where I could
nave StCit llldh llidlI
it came to melt was the look and
manner of my pupil of years ago, Joe
Morton.
l waited to speak to him, and was
invited to call at his home next day.
And there I 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 name not
soon to be forgotten in the State in
which he lives; he is a strength and
inspiration to his friends; he has writ
ten several books that stand high in
the literature of our country, and once
he was only ragged, barefooted boy.
What may you not accomplish if you
stand for the right and "try. try
again?"-NVaverley Magazine.