Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-15
THE SANDMAN STORY
PtUI.'S PERIL.

Tho train puMed away down the
mountain and Paul stood watching it
three months. and the doctor had or
!ered him TO go to his aunt's at Linden
and ,remain in tho mountains for "A
year So a very pale and Tin lad he
was as he toiled with his suit case up
'hI ,, step pan TO the farmhouse;
awaiting him. His aunt took him At
once TO her heart. but tho boys cousins
OF his own age were bit shy a, first.
But when they found the lad very deli
cate and unused TO country life they
began 10 show their contempt for him.
c can,1l hin Hn.n SIS sls:y, and molly,
person would hear.
So Paul's life was far from happy
q far as his COMPANIONS went. but
lie was fond OF hooks and Went ahead
a tho other scholars in the little
mountain school. while tho fact that
ne was , na'S S ETo~nE 1to 2oS and
the other boys did not notice the
change.
and there was fine skating. but in the
night there came thaw which set
things TO melting rapidly
the pond o G e sad r Wa nWaS pnrs
uncle. as the children sat down to
breakfast on this Saturday morning
ice is dangerous in this soft State.
and | am sur" Paul is willing 10 take
my Judgment"
The boys were disappointed All the
afternoon before they had been polish
ing and sharpening their skates. and
now 10 have to give it up was too
bad.
Paul sat on a stump near the harm
door. while the other two boys talked
about the matter
mean TO go anyway" said Ken
nedE. II know the ice is still firm at
the upper end of the pond and it will
hold us, kids. What do you say,
I'm with you, X" replied Francis
but what does Paul say?"
II am not GXperiencsd in ice skat-
your father knows what he Is talking
about. and that it will be safest to
stay away from tho ice during this
thaw."
sncered Kennedy "Who is afraid?
Supnose We do get ducking. it won't
But understand that the pond Is
deep and neither Of you boys knows
how to swim" ventured Paul again.
not wish to try in pond in winter.
SO. ] guess | %il! stay home"
he and his brother set out down the
road. he sure and darn all my socks
before | get home. But don't tattle
The afternoon wore on. Paul grew
weary OF The house and with the dogs
at his heels set out for a run across
the MUS. hardly had he gotten past
the meadow field when he heard n
shout and saw that there was some
thing hapncnng on the pond. Ken
ncdy was standing on the bank shout
ing wildly. while in the. ice water
filled with broken bits Of ice cakes
was Francis struggling for his life
and clinginE desperately to the rapidly
breaking edge.
Paul dashed down the hill. casting
off his coat, cap and shoes as he ran.
Keep still" he shouted as he saw
the blue. frightened face disappear,
thon float in sight again IT will have
You out in moment-Kennedy, get
that long pole, quick
With n plunge and splash Panl
lcapcd into tho middle Of the pond
seized the drowning boy by the back
OF his coat. then struck out for shore.
Francis was heavy and the cold water
number. but Paul was strong now
and full OF vigor.
Shove mo tho pole. Kennedy, he
shouted to tho daZcd lad on the bank
there. stir your wits. hurry. or we will
both get n terrible chill"
Kennedy recovered his. senses In time
to push tho long polo out into the