Year: 1860

In the city of Hartford, Connecticut,
lives the hero of the true story T am
about to relate-but no longer ''Iittle,"
as the perilous adventure, which made
him for a time famous in bis native
town, happened several years ago.


Our hero was then bright, active boy
of fourteen-the son of mechanic, In;
the severe winter of 49,, the father
worked in factory, about mile and q
half from his home, and every day the
boy carried him his dinner, across q
wide piece of meadow-land.


One keen, frosty day, he found the
snow on this meadow nearly two feet
deep, and no traces of the little foot
path remaining. Yet he ran on, as fast
as possible, pIunging through drifts
keeping himself warm by vigorous exer-
else, and brave, cheerful thoughts. a


When iu the midst of the meadow
fully half mile from any house, he
suddenly felt himself going down, down,
down! He had fallen into we'll! ~;


He sunk down into the dark, icy wa
ter, but rose Immediately to the surface.
There he grasped hold Of plank, which
had fallen into the well as he went down.
One end of this rested on the bottom Of
the well-the other rose about four feet
above the surface of the water. @


The poor lad shouted for help until
he was hoarse and almost speechless, but
all in vain, as it was impossible for him
to make himself heard, from such q
depth, at such distance from any house.
So at last he concluded that if he was
saved at all he must save himself, and
began at once, as he was getting ex-
tremely cold in the water. So he went
to work 90 s'8


First, he drew himself up the plank
and braced himself against the top of it
and the wall of the we'll, which was Of
brick, and quite smooth. Then he
pulled off his coat, and taking out
his pocket knife, cut off his boots,
in order that he might work to
greater advantage. Then, with his
feet against one side of the well, and his
shoulders against theyother, he worked
his way UP, by the most fearful exertion,
about half the distance to the top. Here
he was obliged to pause, take breath
and gather up his energies for tiesWork
before him. Far harder was it than all
he had gone through; for the side of the
we'll being from that point completely
covered with ice,g he must cut with his
knife, grasping places for his fingers,
slowly and carefully, all the way up. ~
1t was almost q hopeless attempt, but
it was all that he could. do. And here
the little hero lifted up his heart to God,
and prayed fcrvently for help, fearing he
could never get out alone. @ lzsE
Doubtless the Lord heard his voice,
calling from the deep. and pitied him.
He wrought no miracle to save him, hut
breathed into his heart yet larger
measure of calmness and courage,
strengthing him to work out his own de-
liverance. 1t is in this way that God
oftenest answers our prayers, when we
call upon him in time of trouble.


After this, the little hero cut his
way up, inch by inch. His wet stockings
froze to the ice and kept his feet from
slipping, but his shirt was quite worn
from his back, ere he reached the top.


He did reach it at last-crawled out
into the snow and lay down fora mo-
ment to rest-panting out his breath, in
the clear frosty air. .se.... .,.s.:


He had been two hours and half In
the well. ''' sA


His clothes soon froze to his body
but he no longer suffered with the cold,
as full of JOY and thankfulness, he ran to
the factory, where his good father was
waiting and wondering. lss.s


The poor man was obliged to go with
out his dinner that day-but you may
be sure he cared little for that, while
listening, with tears in his eyes, to the
thrilling story which his son had to re.
late r---f.e "a. s4


He must have been very proud of the
boy that day as he wrapped him up in
his own warm oyereoat, and took him
home to "mother. - aa baa G0atss


And how that mother must have wept
and smiled over the lad, and kissed him
and thanked God for him.


I have not heard of the t;littIe hero"
for two OF three years, but I trust that
he is growing up into brave heroic
man-and hope that he will never for
get the Heavenly Friend who did met
forget him in the hour of his great need.
There is an old saying that truth lies
at the bottom of WELL 81 5sa


l trust that this brave boy found and
brought up from truth-God helps those
that help themselves.


Small Creatures.


Among the papers published in costly
j style, by the Smithsonian Institute al