The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-02-24
and Alfred Snow, who ram homo and
hid himself In the hay-loft

/
bridge we saw Michael Dufrene, fol-
lowed by Joe, running out of their
house. No one else lived near by ex-
cept old Mrs. Bracket, across the road
who came out to her gate, wringdng her
hands, and wildly beseeching some one
to tell her the cause of it ALL
Archie and | met the smith in his
shop yard
Toni" shrieked. THE river!"
| Without word the blacksmith turn,
ed and followed me as dashed round
the corner OF the shop and down the
bank. Joe Dufrene and Archie were
close at our heels, and the other boys
came after.
One glance Michael Dufrene gave at
the heap of debris; one look he gave
at the place where the platform had
been. His eyes, as | watched him,
came back to the wreck and to the
newly sawed end of brace which was
thrust out from the mass like an &C
cusing hand. He asked me nothing.
You, jackson, Albee, Brown"-his
deep voice was net s,Ecly now; 1t rang
Hike big bell,-''Tun quick to Hawkins
barn, and fetch his rope and tackles
to the back door of the shop. Send
here every man you see. You-two
more of you run the other way and get
men. You, Dick Spur and Hammond,
go back to the shop and find the SHOW
els and bar. RUM"
AS if the very force of his voice i'm
PEELED them, the boys he named start
ed back up the bank on their errand.
Besides the smith, only Joe Dufrene,
Archie and we're left there. He threw
off his coat and stepped into the river.
The swift water was mid-leg deep up
on him.
The floor Of the broken platform had
fallen a little cornerwise. Part of 1t
still hung upon the bank; part of 1t,
iron-weighted, rested upon the river
bottom. Pressed down beneath 1t, alive
or dead, absve or below the water, was
Tom Gaillison.
Dufrene bent down till his face was
in the water, grasped the edge Of the
platform, and lifted. He raised the ter
rible weight foot, but could do no
more. He let it down again gently.
Joe, you and the two others take
boards and push that iron into the
water. Work fast!"
While we tried to obey the smith
took long breath and knelt down in
the river, disappearing completely from
view He was trying to reach under
the edge of the platform.
A moment later he stood up, the
water streaming from him.
"He is there, under the center, but he
is somehow held. can't move him. If
could there is no room to pull him
out. The sandy bottom won't hold a
prop. The platform must be lifted"
He looked up to the bank. No help
was in sight. We had pushed off all
the iron, and wreckage we could get
at, and he motioned us back.
I'VE can't wait" He spoke the
words to himself Where are the
ropes!" Then again, I'VE can't waltz
There was long, empty moment. No
sound of aid from above. The river
rushed and gurgled by; and under.
meath the pile at our feet lay Tom Gal.
lison!
Michael Dufrene looked at his boy.
Joel" he said, and there was a
world of tenderness in his voice.
had never dreamed that the smith
could speak word like that
"Come!" said Michael Dufrene.
Joe dropped into the water and stood
by his fathers side, looking at him a
little wonderingly, but with trust
that awed me. boy though l was.
The smith spoke to him as If they
had been alone:
Joe, we can't wait for the ropes.
You must go under and bring him out.
l will hold up the platform"
Eyes, father"
Michael Dufrene set his feet careful
ly, bent over once more, and grasped
the edge of the platform. We had les
sened the weight little, but 1t was
still enormous.
With an effort that marked his wet
and swarthy face in grotesque lines,
the smith raised the platform to his
knees. He sank perceptibly into the
sand as he did so.
Joe stood ready, watching his faith
er's face.
Because his feet were so deeply en-
bedded, Dufrene could not move them
to get helping knee under the edge.
He must finish the lift with arms and
back.
Gathering himself, he gave mighty
heave that brought the platform to his
thighs.
"Now!"
Joe disappeared beneath the surface
of the water.
Never in all the rest of my life has
there teen SO long minute as that
which followed.
Rivuicts Of sweat poured down the
smiths face. The lines that had SEEM
ed lrotesque before, now became ter.
rible. His eyes glared. The dark skin
was dawn over his high cheekbones
l.