Year: 1867

Jack interrupted his wife with de-
risive sneer.


Don't laugh at me, Jack. / tell
you it would be better to do so than
resort to blows. If you were attacked
| should not blame yon for fighting to
protect yourself; but this is not case
that calls for your strength Of muscle.
There is higher and nobler strength
that you can use now.


'Oho! uttered Jack, you are preach
ing. You are giving me some of your
Sunday School lessons. But / don't
want 'em. You may experience reli-
gon as much as you please; but you
mustn't preach the stuff to me-


Jack spoke the wife, with stern
solemnity, have [ been any worse
since | began to have an interest in re-
ligious things?'


No, Abby-you were good always


'Then why will you not listen to
me? Ifyou will stay with me now
if you will wait until your anger is
cooled-and then go and speak kindly
to Solomon Gordon, give you my SOL
emn pledge that you will feel thou
sand times better than you will if
you


But Jack would not hear his wife
out. He had sworn that he would
thrash Solomon Gordon, and he would
keep his word. His temper was at the
boiling point, and he was fairly aching
to get his hands upon the man who
had dared to strike his boy; for Fred
dy was his pet, and every blow that
was laid upon the childs body had
made a mark of fire upon his own
heart. So he put his wife away from
him and hurried from the house, slam
ming the door after him.


Away went Jack Sprout with rapid,
heavy strides; and had Solomon Cor
don fallen in his way just then he
would have most -assuredly been beat
en-; for though Solomon was a stout,
bold man, yet Jack was very Her
cules.


But Jack was destined to get pretty
thoroughly cooled off before he met
the object Of his wrath. AS he ap-
preached the bridge that spanned the
river Just below the falls, he heard
loud cries of alarm, and upon hurrying
forward he found that boy had fall
len from one of the projecting timbers
into the water He looked over the
railing, and saw the little fellow just
coming to the surface of the foaming,
boiling fiood-a curly-headed boy, just
about the age of his own darling Fred.
dy-stretching forth his tiny hands in
agony of despair. 1t was terrible
place, that seething, roaring pool,
where the waters of the great river
came pouring down from over the high
dam; but Jack did not hesitate. He
forgot his enemy-forgot everything
but the danger of the little one-and
only stopping to kick off his boots, and
throw aside his coat, he leaped down
into the angry flood. He caught the
boy in his arms, and then struck for
the shore. 1t was mighty conflict,
but the strong man anpersevered. More
than once those who had gathered upon
the bridge and upon the rocks had rea-
son to fear that neither the man nor
the boy would come forth alive; but
Jack held his own against the mad
torrent, and finally reached the shore
where many hands were ready to help
him. As for himself, a few minutes
action assured him that he was able to
walk; and he had sustained no injury
save a few trifing bruises. And as
tor the boy, he had come forth in safe
| ty, for Jack had held him high above
the water during all the time of his
struggle.


And when Jack Sprout had regain
ed his breath, and was able to speak,
he looked to see the boy that he bad
saved, and he saw that it was Andy
Gordon, a bright-eyed, eurly-haired,
fair faced boy, not year older than
was his son Freddy.
Where's papaT p asked the dripping
| child


He's coming answered some one
in the crowd.


Jack looked up, and saw Solomon
Gordon coming-Solomon, pale and
terror stricken-aud with all possible
haste he seized his coat and boots, and
hurried away. He could not meet Sol.
omon Gordon then.


Mercy! What is it, Jack?


Mrs Sprout was alarmed. Her hus-
band was dripping wet, his step was
tottering, his breathing was labored,
and there was livid mark upon his
forehead as though he had received a
heavy blow.


1t is nothing, Abby


Has Solomon


'Pshaw! Dye think Sol. Gordon
could have done this ? have been in
the river. A little boy had fallen from
the bridge right into the flood beneath
the falls. 1 jumped in and brought
him out


sAliveP


yes, alive and unhurt.'