Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-09-09

"Janey stood up we'll for about half
an hour-it seemed four times as long
then she began to give out. The
only thing could do with her was to
brace her up by putin my arm back
OF her. She didn't seem frightened or
ready to cry. but she looked at me with
n tired smile and kept on workin' the
treadmill.
But purity soon she got so tired
| knew she'd have 10 SIT a rest. and
looked about for somep'n to cling to
away from the wheel. There was
break In the old wall surroundln' the
wheel that left one OF the stones so
we could git our hands on IT, push
cd Off with Janey. and we cling TO the
stone.
I'VE got kind OF rest. but It wasn't
pleasant being in water over our heads
keepin' ourselves up that way, and
Janey's teeth began to chatter. was
beside myself with terror for her. II
was she who was putin the best face
on it all. sayin' that the grist would
soon give out and the water would be
turned Off. But l knew that her
strength was goln'. and dreaded a
time when it would leave her all at
once.
"Then tried hollerin' ag'ln. but l
hadn't as much power behind my voice
as | had when called before and
couldn't make as much noise.
II knew I'd got to do somep'n or
purity soon II would be all over with us.
Ii occurred TO me that IL could get
my weight on to the side OF the wheel
that was goIn up the motion would
be slower. asked Janey II she could
hold on where she was for awhile.
She said she could. but ! knew she
couldn't.
II had TO put my arrn around her.
and, partly by swimmin and partly
by clingln' TO the wall. worked my
way toward the back OF the wheel.
The hardest place TO pass was between
the wheel and the wall. | expected
both OF us would be crushed.
when | got by that part of 1t and
got fancy ana myself a-hold of the
wheel felt better. But we couldn't
stop the wheel: all we could do was
TO cling TO 1t till it pulled us out of the
water and then catch hold lower down.
did this, but fancy could only keep
changin' her hands all the while as
the wheel revolved. she bein' support
ed i'm the water. Known that this
was our only chance. threw all the
strength left in me into my work.
lettin' the wheel pull me almost up to
the water runnin' above. stayin' there
and lettin' go my hold first with one
hand. then with the other. But as
was hangin' In the air and wasnt
buoyed by water 1t was awful hard
work. especially after what I'd been
through. Still. there's hardly a limit TO
the endurance of n boy of sixteen.
"All OF student | saw the miller
lookin down on us. didn't have to
holler. and he didn't say a word He
ran away. heard the sluIce close, and
in another minute he was back with
ladder which he put down and. COM
IN down himself. first took fancy In
his arms and carried her out He was
comm back for me. but let go the
wheel and swan for the ladder by
myself. tried TO climb up 1t. but II
was no go: the miller reached down
and dragged me out.
when got up ! saw fancy lynn
on the grass with her eyes closed. limp
and white as a cloth. Thinkin' she
was dead. ! gave n cry and. bcndin'
down over her. lifted her in my arms.
The miller said she'd only tainted and
would come to herself purity soon. And
he was right. In another moment she
opened her eyes. and. seem me. what
do you suppose she did,"
"What?"
"She just smiled the same kind of
smile rs when she was goin down on
the wheel"
"Afy friend" said al the conclu-
sion of his story. Il wish | had you
and Janey right here at the age you
then were that might work you into
my painting"
IF you'll come with me up the road
bit I'll show you two young uns
that1l do as WELL" he replied
went with the man. who stopped
at n little house beside the road. We
entered and found a middle aged wo-
man ironing.
There's Janey." he said. Turning
to her. he added Where are the chill
drenI"
"Janey's upstairs, and I sent Dick
TO the store He'll he back In few
minutes"
A girl about fifteen came down at
her mothers call. aud there was
Janey sure enough asked permits
sion TO make sketch OF her. and
when her brother, two years her
senior. came In did the same with
him. Then | gave each good fee
for serving as models, and after drink
ing glass of milk which was urged