Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1880 — Willie’s Courage. [ARTICLE]

Willie’s Courage.

Willie Carr was one of those boys who never liked to be beaten at anything. Only dare him to doa thing, and he would do it, no matter how absurd or foolish it was. He had lately come tolive at a town on the sea coast, and he and his schoolfellows constantly amused themselves on halt-holidays by climbing the cliffs, fishing, boating, and many other seaside pastimes. On ore Saturday afternoon Willie said to his companions: . “The tide has just turned; in a quarter of an hour that rock” (pointing to a small rock covered with seaweed) “will be under water; I dare any of you fellows to run ten times around it"

Some shook their heads and said they did not care to run the risk of being drowned; but said, “We will go if you will lead us.” So off they started. The water was over their shoes at the first round. “Salt water will do us no harm,” said Willie. At the sixth round Tom Bishop and Willie were the only ones who kept on running; the water was already above their knees, for the tide was coming in fast. At the eighth round Willie was running alone, and many of the boys said “Don’t go any more, Willie.” But Ned Dawson cheered him: “Only twice more, and I will say you are the bravest fellow in Hastings.” But at the tenth round all said, “Don’t go any more.” ‘ Do you dare me to do it t” cried Willie; “altho’ the water is above my waist, I will go just to show you what I can do.” Many of them tried to hold him back, but he rushed off panting for his last round. When he reached the rock he was very tired, so he sat down to recover his breath; then he got'up and waved his cap. The boys cheered him and cried, “Make haste—come along." But he staid longer than was necessary, just to show how brave he was, and waved hie cap. At this moment a large wave dashed oved the rock, drenching him to the skin, and obliging him to start off. But before he had gone half way on his fourncy another wave came along and he found himself up to his armpits in water; another came, and then another, and carried him off his feet He was nearly ! choked w th the salt water that went down his throat, but he recovered himself enough to get back to the rock; there he sat, panting and exhausted. His boasted courage began to fail; he could swim but little, and encumbered I with his wet clothes and all exhausted as he was. there was not much chance for him. Higher and higher the water rose; I the rock was under water; and there he I sat, pale and shivering. Borne of bis comrades ran off for help, but poor Willie doubted it it would come in time. All his sins and follies rose before him like a cloud; he thought of his mother’s anguish (for he was her only son), and how she would feel when she heard he had been drowned—drowned; and by his own folly. A large wave rolled over him—ke tightened his grasp on the seaweed ; another came, and then another; a mist rose before his eyes—he loosened his hold and all was dark. ♦*•♦* « * * I

Borne hours later Willie was in his own bed at home, and a lady with a sweet pale face was bending over him. “Thank God!” she said. Willie heard it and opened his eyes. ‘Oh, mother,” he said, “I am saved, then! I was so frightened, and when I thought of you, death seemed so terrible.”. “Yes,” she said; “you were saved by a boatman who heard your schoolfellows’ cries of distress; let us thank God for His mercy in saving you.” Borne time after Willie entered the navy; he had lost non of his courage and daring, but acted more under a sense of duty and less to gAin man’s applause. He is now an officer beloved by his men and respected by all who know him, for at the call of duty he is always first, and where danger is, there you will always find him.— Sunday Magazine. By actual experiment it costs S2O to furnish good vegetable soup for-600 chanty children*. ■■ ■- ■ *♦ ♦ “Flowers might almost be said to be made for children, and who ever really loves children loves flowers also.” •A modern philosopher asserts that it is not easy to understand why boys should throw stones at passing trains and steamboats. Prince George of Wales will soon go on another cruise in the Bacchante. But his brother Albert Victor will stay at home. Albert Nictor is the heir apparent of Albert Edward. Miss E. M. Brandon's letter with reference to the crammed heads and empty stomachs of the children who are educated in charity schools has awakened lively interest. Children thrive best on full stomachs and empty heads. Paul Bartlett, aged fifteen years, a son of the Boston sculptor, has a portrait bust of his grandmother in the year’s Salon at Paris, and the jmy in accepting it sent the young artist their felicitations. The title of the work in the official catalogue is “VteiUe Femme, Inala piatre."