The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-01-25
THE DROWNING or TIN.
His Presence 81 Mind saved Hin
from Cold Grave.

One bright afternoon In Februar,
Tim Robinson and Oliver Olcot
trudged from town. with skates slunl
over their shoulders, for the pufpos
OF enjoying a hall holiday from schoo
in the healthf,il sport OF skating. o.
arriving at the hut which stood oil
| the edge Of the pond, they built
fire before trying ON their skates.
Seems a little SOFT" remarked oil
YER referring TO the ice
oh, it's all right It's in dand,
shape think, answered his com
panion, striking out along the edge .
the pond. X
Oliver followed, and they made two
or three rounds Of the pond. warmin.
up to the sport and thoroughly ENJOY.
ing it. All length Tim made a dash
straight across the pond Oliver was
ia little afraid OF the condition of the
ice and hesitated about following
him. As Tim neared the center OF
the pond there was rending sound
and the ice began cracking around
him.
"rim, Tim come back. Tim
shouted Oliver
But Tim knew that his only safety
lay in speed, and SO kept right on %
his fullest power, Suddenly the ice
gave away beneath lin, and down he
went in the cold waters, down out Of
sight. Oliver glanced at the bank in
the hope Of hnding board Or rail
with which to rescue his companion.
He had no idea Of deserving min. and
in fash there passed through his
head the thought Of becoming a hero.
and being hailed with praise all over
the town But, alas. Ne could see.
nothing with which he might extend
held to the unfortunate boy, and 70
go too close TO the break in the ice
was only 10 endanger his own life
Knowing that something must be
done without delay II II was done at
all Oliver rushed to the shore search
ing rapidly with his eye for pole.
but in vain lie glanced back az the
pond, but there was no sign Of Tim
visible 1t seemed to him a long time
since he went under. though in real
ity II was only a few moments, and
he was sure Tim must be already
dead. Then a panic seized him, like
many another person who meant to
be heroic, but under pressure became
a coward. he turned wide-eyed
.oward town, running as though purs
sued by the spirit OF his drowning
friend. stopping not until almost ex.
and even then staggering on.
Meanwhile, Tim. nnder the water,
'emained cool Perhaps the icy bath
vas conducive to the result He was
IN expert swimmer, and consequent
y was not thrown into confusion by
,eing under Mater IFS feet touched
bottom and he stralghtened ZIP, or tried
o. but there was a wall above him
which Would not permit him to stand
erect He knew AZ once that he was
Under the unhroken fee and rapidly
'easoned that he could probably
freak the zee quicker than he could
Ind tbs hole into which he plunged |
Ie put his shoulders against Il and |
traight himself up with all his force.
Tie back muscles we're powerful, the |
" was already weakened by break
ge. and with crash Il broke again.
citing his head out Of the water,
With one hand be wiped the dripping i
'ater from his eyes and face and had
momentary vision Of Oliver racing
onw the road Bnt he had no time |
lose, for already be was shivering,
racing himself for a spring, and aid |
tx himself with bis ai'ms.he bounced |
lmost on Top Of the Ice, and in few1
Ioments was oui and making for tha
TT The are had not died down.
Iuch, and With q little feeding soon1
ade speed When tie OCCUPANTS
scovered Tim there was great shout
K and rejoicing for they had beeni
I'D by the hslf-crszed Oliver that
i'm was drowned IN 4
poor boy returned Tim. when he
ld heard all about It. I'll Is worse tn
. frightened TO death than to
own Brooklyn Eagle.