The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-07-27
AN ACCIDENT And IT'S SEQUEh.
~~~N~N~N~~N
By KATE RAFHM0RE.

ing OH one foot. and performing sun
dry antics to show what Il brave boy
l was. Then 1 retraced a few steps
and called to her to come.
"Oh, no." she said; I'm afraid"
afraid! You little goose! With me
to hold on to:''
| Between her fear and a disposition
pliable to boy older and stronger
than herself, it was not long before 1
was leading her out on the dam.
Don't you see it's quite safe?" 1
said.
She shrank back as I led along.
determined that she should go to a
point where the water poured over a
portion of the dam lower than the rest
turned my back to step up on the
post. 1t was but a moment. heard
a cry, and saw Julia in the food
The expression that was in her eyes
is to this day stamped clearly on my
memory-an expression of mingled re-
proach and forgiveness.
| could scarcely swim dozen
strokes, but i,ot second had elapsed
before I was in the water.
! I swan and struggled and buffeted
to reach ner; all in vain. An eddy
whirled me in different direction
My strength was soon exhausted.
was borne down the river, sinking
and rising. till l came to a place
where l caught glimpse, as rose
to the surface, of man running along
some planks extending into the river,
and raised above the water on posts.
My feet became entangled in weeds.
I sank. heard a great roaring in my
ears, then oblivion.
When / came to was lying on my
back. remember the first thing
saw was light cloud sailing over
the clear blue. There was an air OF
quiet and peace that contrasted with
my own sensations. Then 1 saw a man
on his knees beside something he
was rubbing. I turned my head aside
and say it was little fgure-a girl,
Julia. She was cold and stark.
My agony was far greater than when
had plunged after her into the
stream. Then 1 hoped and believed
that if she We're drowned I would be
also. Now I saw her beside me life
less. and lived.
Then some men came, and the man
who was rubbing Julia said to them:
Take care of the boy; the girl is too
far gone" They took me up and car
ried me away, and laid me for a while
ON 4 bed in strange house. Then
was driven to the school.
The next day my father came and
| took me home. I was.ill after that,
too i'll to ask about Julia, but when
recovered what a load was taken
| from my mind to know that by dint
OF rubbing and rolling, and a simu-
liant, she had been brought to and
had recovered. also learned that
the man who cared for us had seen
Julia fall and had rescued her. When
saw him running along the planks
it was to his boat chained to the end.
That summer my father removed
with his family to Western Pennsyl-
vania. He was obliged to wait some
time for my recovery, but at last 1
was able to travel, and left without
again seeing the little girl whom l had
led into danger. 1 only heard that I
mad been blamed by everyone.
-
Ten years passed, during which
was constantly haunted by one idea
that was to go back and find Julia
and implore her forgiveness. The
years that 1 must be boy and depen-
dent seemed interminable. At last I
came Of age, and received 4 small for
tune that had fallen to me, and, as
soon as the papers in the case were
duly signed and sealed, started.
1t was just about the same time Of
the year, and the same hour of the af-
ternoon as when l first saw Julia,
that I walked into the old school
grounds. l had fully intended to 90
in next door and call for her, but my
courage failed me. 1 had heard noth.
ing of her for years. Was she dead
Was she living? Was she in her old
home. or far away? These thoughts
chased each other through my mind,
and l dreaded to know.
l was standing at the school en-.
trance, with my hand on the bell
when l heard a door in the next
house open and then shut. From that
moment I could feel that Julia was
near me.
She came out Of the house. a slen.
der. graceful girl of nineteen, and
picking up !; tennis racket, commenced
to knock the balls about. I wanted
10 make myself known. but dreaded
the horror with which she would re
gard ne when she should learn who
was.
Il beg your pardon" said, raising
. my hat, can you tell me if the schoo
, is still there:" pointing to the house
1T was moved some years ago,
she replied. regarding me with ths
Old, steady gaze.