Jimmie's Aboard, And I Promised

A steamer was wrecked on Lake Pontchartrain, on which wera a father, mother, and their six children. The father was a stalwart man and good swimmer, and resolved to get them all safely to land or perish in the attempt. He told his children not to be afraid, that he would come for them. He then jumped overboard, and his wife after him, Taking her by the hair, he drew her along through the breakers, and landed her safely on shore.

Then he plunged into the mad waves, and went back to the ship for his children. One by one he brought them to the shore. Only one remained upon the vessel. The devoted father had not strength to stand up when the last was brought in.

Friends expostulated with him against the farther exposure of his valuable life. He said, “Jimmie’s aboard, and I promised to come for him.” Then he floated back to the ship, and just as it was about to go down, he called to Jimmie to jump into the water.

He had strength ouly to seize his boy, fold his arms about him, and press him to his bosom, and, thus enfolded, they sank together, to rise no more. Such is the love of a father. “As the Father hath loved me, even so have I loved you.”