tender sentiment, it pleased the tide to whirl Judge Whaley’s body inwards, directly beneath the ice-field, and he being now insensible, if alive at all, the negro clutched it effectually.  In the awakened pain and hope of that minute, Perry Whaley supported himself along the piece of rail to the solid ice, and assisted to draw his father from the water, and then swooned dead.  They lay together, the unwelcome son and the repelling father, under the universal pity of the great eye of Heaven, on the natal day of Him who came into the world also fatherless, but not disowned.

A neighboring farmer sent one of his boys to Chester for the doctor, and by rubbing and restoratives, both the Judge and his son were brought back to circulation and pulsation.  Perry soon recovered, but Judge Whaley was saved only with the greatest difficulty.  It was nightfall in the hospitable farm-house before he was able to see or speak, and then, a little drunken with the spirits which had been administered, he asked in a whisper: 

“Who saved my life?”

“Who but your son Perry?” answered the cheerful Doctor Voss.  “You were both wrapped together for a long while in the bottom of the cove!”

“My son!” exclaimed Judge Whaley, scarcely understanding the reply.  “Who is my son?”

“Here, father!  We are both alive.  Thank God!”

“My son?” muttered Judge Whaley.  “Brave son!  Who is it?”

“Why, Perry Whaley!” answered the good housewife.  “His arms are around your neck.  Those warm kisses were his!”

The sick man glared about him till his eye fell on the boy.

“Ha!” he whispered.  “By you.  Had I awakened in heaven would you have been there, too?”

The Judge sank back into a moment’s insensibility, and the son sat there sobbing piteously.

Though saved from the wave Judge Whaley had a long following spell of fever, in which his son nursed him for many weeks, and once the spark of life seemed to have fled; the Judge’s pulse stopped still, and while they were at solemn prayer—­the rector of the Episcopal Church reading from his book—­Perry cried:  “He still lives.  It is the medicine he needs!”

After the second resuscitation Dr. Voss remarked:  “It is not often, Judge Whaley, that a man’s life is twice saved by his son!”

Tears were no longer in Perry’s eyes; he had heard his father in delirium constantly repeat his name.  After the Judge’s recovery he placed in Perry’s pocket a fine English watch, and gave him a pair of horses and a stylish wagon.

“Hereafter,” he said, “you shall take charge of the property.  My son, look about you and find a wife!  In your character you are deserving of a good one, for I fear the affection you are seeking can never arise in my heart enough to satisfy you.  Gratitude and respect are always here, my son, but love has been a stranger to me these many years.  I wish you to marry while I live, and be happy in some good woman’s affection.  I may die and you may not become my heir!  There is the doctor’s beautiful daughter; she has my decided approval!”