The midland journal., 1916-06-30

was n0OOQy TO near ner. Sne could not
run and bring help before Francis
could drown. And she did not dare
| to go out on the treacherous old dam.
One foolish word kept running through
her head: Gravity. gravity, gravity. .
Suddenly little Charlie Thomas love
ly oval face and big brave eyes floated
into Mary Aliee's mind Anybody
that does the things God does can fix
up little pair Of legs
Mary Alice stepped out on the shalxy
planking and began the passage of the
dam. If she could get over to the
fume, she could save the boy strug-
Cling in the water. Anybody who could
do the things that God did could help
her to avoid the holes and weaker
places; she thrilled with that idea and
was no longer afraid.
Francis fishing pole had fallen, upon
the dam, alongside the, fume box,
Mary Alice picked 1t up; then she
looked down into the flume, where ii
was so dark that her eyes, adjusted to
the strong sunlight, at first refused to
serve her. But she heard cough and
a splash.
"Here am, Francis" she called.
She thrust the butt end of the fishing
pole down into the gloom, through
which now she dimly discerned a
white face
Francis was a weak swimmer. His
clothes and heavy shoes hampered him.
The slippery sides of the fume box Of
fered no sustaining hold
"Grab that" called Mary Alice.
Francis grasped the fishing rod Now
you won't drown
He clung to the fishing pole, keep
ing only his head above water. Thus
the water sustained most OF his
weight.
II could hold you like this a long
time said Mary Alice; s'but who's
goin' to pull you out? Besides, you'll
be froze."
Francis teeth were chattering al
ready.
IF could get hold of your hand, /
might pull myself up the side" he
said
Mary Alice leaned far over and ex-
tended her right hand toward the boy,
sliding 1t along the pole. Francis drew
himself out of water and reached up
until he caught her hand. The strain
of his weight increased greatly as he
lost the lift OF the water
"Can you stand it?" he asked.
Come on" said the little girl, al
though the edge of the fume was al
1 ready cutting cruelty, and her arm felt
as If it would pull out. "Come on"
She gritted her teeth. Anybody who
could do the things God did could help
| a little girl keep her friend from
drowning. 'Come' on, get your get
your other-other hand up-there-"
Francis had now hold of both her
arms, and the fishing pole had dropped
into the water. 1t was that or nothing
AS the boy pulled himself up, Mary
Alice managed to seize his coat His
feet kicked and slipped upon the
smooth fume sides; there was no toe
hold, no sufficient crack or protruding
nail-yes, bolt with nut on ii
caught the sole of Francis shoe. This
was about foot under water The
boy put forth all his strength and
pulled himself up until he could get a
hand on the top edge of the fiume wall
Mary Alice was sure her arms would
part company with hershoulders. Now
relieved of that strain, she took new
grip on his wet coat and tugged
sturdily as he drew himself up until he
could hook his elbows over the edge
Then he threw leg across the top
plank, and she knew size had saved
him.
~ Next morning., instead of being
moved out into the orchard, Charlie
asked that his chair be placed beside
Mary Alice's bed; for the little girl
was bruised and lame, and Martha in
sisted that day in bed would do hel
good. Mrs. Brown took Dicky out to
see the NOODLES"
II wish'd could think of some
thin to do to amuse you, Mary Alice, .
said Charlie. 81 can't read good
enough. know! I'll draw you some
pitchers. Mummee!''
Eyes. dear?"
"Can have a pencil and paper? |
want to amuse Mary Alice"
II guess you'll amuse her, all right
said Martha, producing the articles.
''He draws just the cutest things, Mary
Alice. Haven't you seen him do it
yet? Well. you just watch"
Charlie fell to work, his paper rest
ing on the back of an old geography.
'"There," he said. that's cow"
"Oh," said the invalid; ''that's pretty
good. Les see you make house,
with man and dog goin' into 1t,
with three strokes OF your pencil
"GoIly," said Charlie, that's an old
one; only make him soldier. That
little crook makes the bay'net OF his
gun. Now I'll do you engine"
He went on, exemplifying his art to