The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-02-13

Idl UUlu
Unmindful of the fearful risk and deaf
to his fathers warning cry, instantly he
was underneath the dam. One glance at
the overhanging limb of the stout water
beech, his only hope and the axe glanced
in the air. A second stroke failed to
loosen it; but at the third, driven with pre-
cision after the other two, there was a
crack like dozen rifles.
Instantly dropping the axe, the young
fellow made the leap for life. He caught
the beech limb firmly with one hand, then
with the other, and then, amid the crash
of the breaking dam, the food caught him.
Down he went, but the strong hands held
grip for life. Then broken limb came
straight upon him.
\ hundred lights flashed in his eyes and
something that was not water ran down
over his face Around him the angry
food boiled and surged as if loath to give
up its prey, but with close shut teeth and
a desperate grasp that made the finger tips
show blood-red, he yet maintained his hold.
Then, as the first wild rush began some
what to abate, he made his way to the
shore 1t was hard fight, won by clear
grit
With a sinking heart he turned to the
gravel pit Had he been too late? No.
The iron gray beard was floating in the
muddy water, but the gray eyes looked
steadily into his
IAN right yet, Joe, lad, the father
said, family, and the water settling
little can feel half an inch on my neck.
Keep up your grit father" the son
called out, still painting hard from his fear
ful exertions '.We'll soon have help.
Hastily tying his handkerchief around
+ the cut on his head. he started for assist
anre Promptly the willing neighbOrs
turned out, aud brawny arms and willing
hearss were soon at hand 4 deep cut
was made to drain the bed, the piled up
earth aud gravel carefully removed and the
injured man skilfuly lifted out. Quickly
and ienderly they carried him to the house.
He was terribly bruised all over, the ply
sician said, but With good care in a quiet
room he would pull through. :
Joe Holbrook would take the first watch
+ by his father that night. The cut on his
head had been dressed carefully and he
felt, as he expressed it, good as new.
He sat in the dimly lighted sitting room,
close to the door that opened into his faith
er room 1t was near midnight, and he
had been thinking Of many things. Fer
long time his father had lain in the deep
sleep induced by the doctors narcotics.
At last there was a slighs sound and move
ment. The young fellow was sitting by
the open door in plain sight from the bed.
lie was alert in an instant
joey Ii was the old pet name that
he had not heard his father use for years.
The name. and something about the tone
in which it was spoken, brought quick
moisture to his eyes In moment he was
by the bedside.
Slowly the uninjured arm crept cat over
the bedclothes and the hard, toilwOrn
fingers closed over the strong young ones.
That was a courageous thing to do,
joey
Two young hands closed over the faith
ers impulsively, fer words of praise had
been rare of late, and they were sweet.
He adjusted the covers carefully and went
back to the chair.
Very soon again came the low call:
joey.
The boy went back holding up finger
warningly
THAT was an uncommon, skillful and
courageous thing to do lad, and even in
the dim light the look Of pride in the faith
er' 5 eyes showed plainly enough now.
But you mustn talk much yet, you
know father, said Joe softly.
I'm going to say few words, lad,
right now You needn't worry. I'm
coming out all right How came you to
chop that particular rail- joey?
..Why, said Joe, in some surprise,
Il saw the first thing that that rail held
the whole dam.
Il hadn' seen it and there isn't one in
thousand that would not in tisae." He
said the last words slowly, shutting his
eyes as if to keep out some horrible sight.
joey
Yes, father, answered Joe.
You know about that thousand dollars
that's lying in the bank-you We heard
your ma and me talk about it, haven I
you p
.'Yes, father, he said again, wonder
ingly.
Eve been looking for place to invest
that money for some time, and I've found
a mighty good place, now, lad. I'm 60
ing to put it into good thorough course
of scientific schooling for you, my boy,
The young fellow swallowed hard. A
smile lighted the strong face of the man
and then slowly lost itself in the iron grey
beard. Presently he said
Something burst in on your father
down in the gravel-bed today, lad; some
thing besides the dirt and gravel, and I'll
tell you what it was 1t was the light of
better understanding. At last your
father could see something-something be-
sides the muddy, swift rising water, joey.
Let us do the most we can to make home
a place where the children shall grow help
full, natural; happier toward the noblest
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