Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-28
AFTER Ten YEARS.


a HE was only little girl tride
~ younger than myself when met
- her the first time near the play
grounds of the boarding school, where
had gone to seek some OF my play
mates, but found them all gone
Though heartily dcspised girls as a
most inferior class Of beings, Julia,
with her blue eyes, her dimpled chin
and golden hair, was better than no
company at all, and was, Imagined,
greatly fattered when asked her II
she would take walk with me.
We went into the woods until we
came to the old mill down across the
river. 1t was a dangerous place to
cross, and she was at first afraid to
I come with me until I dared her to do
%.
She shrank back as led her along
I determined that she should go to
Q point where the water poured over
q 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 flood.
The expression that was In her eyes Is
to this day stamped clearly in my
memory-an expression Of mingled re-
proach and forgiveness.
could scarcely swim a dozen
strokes, but not second had elapsed
before was In the water.
swan and struggled and buffeted
IN hnr oil In, N An Nv
whirled me in a different direction.
My strength was soon exhausted. I
was borne down the river, sinking and
rising. till l came to place where l
caught glimpse as rose to the sur
face of man running along some
planks, extending into the river and
raised above the water on posts. My
feet became entangled III weeds.
sank. l heard great roaring in my
ears. then oblivion.
When came to was lying on my
back. remember the nrst thing l
saw was light cloud sailing over the
clear blue. There was an air of quiet
and peace in 1t that contrasted with
my own sensations. Then saw man
ON HIS knees beside something he was
rubbing. turned my head aside and
saw 1t 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 l hoped and believed
that II she were drowned would be
also. Now I saw her beside me life
less, and lived.
The next day my father came and
took me home. l was III after that,
too III to ask about Julia, but when l
recovered what load was taken from
my mind to know that by dlnt OF rub
bling and rolling and stimulant she
had been brought to and had recov.
cred. also learned that the man who
cared for us had seen Julia fall and
had rescued her. When l saw him
running along the planks 1t was to his
boat chained to the end.
Ten years passed. during which
was constantly haunted by one idea
that was to 80 back and find Julia and
implore her forgiveness. The year,
that must be boy and dependent
seemed interminable. At last came
Of age. and received small fortune
that had fallen to me. and as soon al
the papers In the case were duly sign
ed and sealed I started.
It was Just about the same time O.
the year and the came hour Of tn,
afternoon as when nrst saw Julit
that walked into tho old schoo
grounds.
y was standing at the school en-
trance with my hand on the bell whel
I heard door In the next house opel
and then shut. From that moment,
could feel that Julia was near me.
She came out of the house. a slender
graceful girl of 10. and picking up ,
tennis hat, commenced to knock tn,
balls about.
II beg your pardon" said, raising
{ my hat, "can you tell me II the schoo
IL still there 2"-pointing to the house
ut was moved some years ago." sh'
replied. regarding me with the oil
honest gaze.
II was one Of the scholars"
"Indeed" She spoke without an,
further encouragement for me to g
on.
II see the wood has not been Gu
away" added, glancing toward It
-Nei It does not seem to be-"