If he had had a son how different It
would have been I "John" would be
walking with him bow. "John" would
take his arm as they crossed the
streets, and he and "John" would be a
part of this big, wonderful chy. They
would have done their share in its de
velopment, and they would "have been so
proud of it. Old Jacob's eyes shone
with the joy of his dream as he stopped
at one of Brookdale's busiest corners.
Four avenues met here and swept
grandly on, a statue to some of the city's
heroes stood calmly in thecenter, and
on either side magnificent buildings
towered toward the sky. "John would
have " But the gay call of a little girl
to her mates across the way broke In
on Old Jacob's dream. Then for an
instant a horrified hush seemed to grip
the very heart of the crowd as the little
one ran unheedingly toward the tracks.
Too late came the sound of grinding
brakes. Jacob clutched his cane in ag
ony, "John!" he breathed.
No one could tell how it happened,
nor where he came from, but suddenly
a red-haired boy sprang into the street
and, giving the frightened child a
strong, sure push, he sent her spinning
out of danger.
"John would have been quick and
brave like that," Old Jacob's heart sang
exultingly and a mighty cheer arose
from the crowd and the motorman
steadied himself against the bar.
