Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-03-01

edge Of the water. trying to rescue
lumber and other floating wreckage
from the torrent. Judge Pauls was
standing on the bank watching them.
AS the horse dashed down the bank
the men threw up their hands warn
ingly.
You can't cross herev' one Of them
yelled. Its sure death!'
"a woman's on the other side dying"
was DR.. Phil's only answer.
He did not even attempt to check
the horse, but plunged into the water
at full speed.
This horse was the only piece Of
property that DIR. Phil owned, and he
had been able to make the purchase
because the ugliness and viciousness
and small size Of the animal had made
the price very low. But the horse was
apparently afraid Of nothing in the
world and had strong staying powers,
and these were qualities which soon
convinced the young doctor that he had
obtained the very animal he needed
without regard to price.
However, with that rushing, roaring
torrent before him, the animal seemed
to think 1t foolhardy to proceed, for
before he had gone dozen feet from
shore he tried to turn and swim back.
But now the firm, masterful hand OF
the rider was controlling his head, the
calm, infiexible voice was sounding en-
couragingly in his ears, and after few
Intellectual attempts to turn the horse
directed his gaze toward the opposite
shore and did what DR.. Phil was doing
his best.
But no living thing could stem or
cross that mad rush Of water, and this
DR.. Phil we'll knew. He must reach
the other side, but he was not fool
hardy.
The torrent was winding In its course.
DR.. Phil's gaze had swept keenly from
bank to bank; then he forced his horse
into current which approached the
opposite shore nearly half mile down.
To the Mortified spectators it looked as
though they were being swept away,
powerless to help themselves, as, in
deed, they were for the time being. All
DR.. Phil did was to guide the horse,
and all the horse could do was to keep
them above water But as the current
approached its nearest point to the 9TH
er shore, not more than ten feet dis
tant, DR.. Phil suddenly slipped into
the water. with his hand twisted in
the horses name, and in that position,
freed from his weight and with the
strong right arm assisting by quick,
powerful strokes, the horse threw him.
self forward with desperate effort
which brought his feet upon the bot
tom. A few minutes later they emerged
from the water and staggered up the
bank.
DR.. Phil did not hesitate. Lonesome
valley was two miles away, ana ne
could reach it more quickly on FOOT
than he could on the horse in its pres
ent exhausted condition. So he turned
the animal loose; perhaps he could re-
cover him again when he returned.
He found the woman weak from loss
of blood and lack of proper attention.
HOuT , LliSht ho'S pSNA
fatal. He remained with her two days,
until she was out of danger, and then
returned to the river. Contrary to his
expectation, he found the horse grazing
quietly within a few rods Of where he
had left him, and the animal greeted
him with an unmistakable whinny OF
pleasure and relief. Perhaps the COM
mon danger In the river and the man
ner of escape had won the horses re-
spect and dependence; possibly the ami
NAL was already becoming fond of him.
DIR. Phil had not received fee for his
services, but the family's gratitude and
the way the horse trotted toward him,
whinnying, were enough, and he re-
crossed the river with buOyant heart.
In his desk he found a letter which
read:
My Dear Doctor-I was little hasty
the other day, and l realized 1t when
saw you crossing the river. Will you
overlook it by taking dinner with us Sun
day? HENRY PAULs.