THE SAD RESULT OF A NOBLE ACTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4295, 19 August 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SAD RESULT OF A NOBLE ACTION.

As Aftecting and Thrilling Incident. [waiTTES roa " the weekly herald " jyt.e] The poor soul sat ringing by * sycamore tree, Sing *11 a green willow : Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee. The fresh stream* ran by her, and mnrmur'd her moans, The salt tears (ell from her and softened the stones. History records many noble and brave - deeds performed by women, who have ever been 'willing to sacrifice their all to aid those ' they love; this is the case now, no matter where it may be in every land ; in all climes from the North Pole to the torrid zones; ihere the influence of woman is felt. No • 'me ' woman will ever seek to obtain mpposed imaginary rights after realising the glorious mission which can be gained - !y .those 'who seek to do good, and thereby. 1 • l:elp to govern the actions of men, who can be gnided imperceptibly by the objects of t'leir affections in women. It-iras the end of summer, autumn had ' #:rived, all over New Zealand the beautiful crope had been gathered, the green ' k ivea of the peach trees were changed into .g. lden colour tinted with many hues f the L. dian corn could be seen displayed strung or-the top of poles to ripen ere the yellois - cobs were stored; nearly every kind of vi »etable had been taken up from the fruitful soil, the hives of the bees were full of ; vi' ein honey and stored up for the mild New Ze.uand winter, —nature seemed in need of ■ re] oa£, stop ! Look at the bush, how green - ano beautiful it looks, ever green through ■ ■ wir.ter and summer. Where the land was cultivated could bo seen stacks of wheat, •" oat-, barley, hay, &o. Numerous herds of - cattle and sheep grazing in luxurious grass, sect-red in paddocks. The sun was shining ' beaufifully, illuminating the land, fern, hills, bus'::, houses, with a golden tint; the waters of t ie Waipa and Waikato rivers seemed to glist jn like silver flowing from subterranean springs. In the township Bituatcd alongside • ' .the above-named rivers a few adventurous " -settl jrs had made their homes, and the tbrr ing inhabitants were busily engaged at varicos occupations, listen! The sound of the ; blacksmiths' and carpenters' hammers dan I s heard above the noise of the steamer, • -whica' is rapidly coming near the settlement. A fey persons are going through the streets. ; " ClOSfe bV the Waipa, beneath the shade of ivill6v< trees, rest an aged couple ; tho old o i'bAn • &•'- reeling - the. - Wkbkmt Hkkald and anokiag Bis pipe l , and his wife

is knitting and listening to the- newfe. Lowerdown on the bank are somelittle child- .- ren playing near a .canoe, now one is in it, the others for fun haul it along the bonk. Alaa ! all at once it got from their reach and rapidly glided into the stream j the cries of the children and the reluctant voyager reached the ears of William Winton (above described as realising exactly the ideal of "John Anderson my .Toe. John," of Burns's celebratod "Cottar's Saturday Night"). Taking a boy into a canoe, paddle in hand, he told his wife he would soon, be back. Away went the canoe in chase to rcscue tho little wanderer ; fast went the paddles, the canoe floated over the water, and rapidly camc up to tho one they were in chase or. William Winton got into the other canoo and handed the child into his, when getting out of it the canoe turned over, sending tho old man into the. water, which flowed swift, also very cold. Ere he could reach tho shore he sank to rise no more with life,—the brave old man. had not sufficient strength to stem tho rapid current. The boy paddled ashore and gave the alarm. The news was gently told to his wife, who bewailed the loss of her darling husband as if her heart would break, and would not be comfortcd. Soated in a chair, for days after she would constantly call out for her Willy, . "Ah, poor Willy," the once happy . home now desolate for ever. In vain did the settlers and police tearch for tho body, when one Sunday she prevailed upon two visitors to take herein a boat to see if they could lind the body or her Willy, as she had dreamt the night before he could be seen out of the water. They started, never thinking of being successful, but only to please the old lady, as they afterwards said. After going'a little distanco they perceived, resting against a snag, the body of the drowned man. Turning the boat round they returned, Mid landed tho dbconsolate widow. Somo kind neighbours strove to tell her the news, but she stopped them by saying, "He's found, he's found! thanks be to God." After an inquest was held, nearly all the inhabitants oTtho little township followed the remains to the grave, thus testifying the respect held for the departed. A tombstone was afterwards erected, —"Saored to the! memory of ; &c.; who departed this life," &o." Beneath rests the dead; but not so the dear, loved one he left: behind' to mourn his loss; for every morning about daybreak, wet or fine, day after day; she goes to the gravo to pray. Alas, poor Willy ! rp&ny flowers surround tho grave, planted' by loving hands ! And the old : lady, scarcely able to walk, with tears streaming down,- exclaiming over and over again, "Ah,' poor 'Willyreluctantly seeKs her unhappy home, waiting, praying for tho time to come to .be released from her great sorrow in tho glorious joy expected to. be gained in the world to come, "life everlasting," whero thero is no sorrow, but everlasting happmess. {The real name is withheld, but the circumstances related above are true.J ■