The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-12-24

them. for he had not vel looked sound.
Lest the sound Of the oars might attract his
attention, Charles. had instantly, on coming
in sight, ordered the boys 10 stop rowing,
and he had graped his paddle with breath
less anxiety, and waited for Stephen again
10 disappear. But Just as he was upon the
point Of passing behind some trees, where
the boat would be ou. of his hearing and
looked around. He stopped short, turned
quafe round, and stood for the space Of
minute looking steadily at the boat. Then
lifting his hand, and shaking his 6ss resc-
luiely a. Charles, as much as to say
understand you, he started into quick
,Now, boys said Charles. .buckle 10
your oars lor, your lives, and if you get TO
the shore. SO, can reach the school. house
before Seiephen does, I'll give you half a
dollar piece sest o sgS1ol 'e's's b
This16f course added new life TO the
boys and increased speed 10 the boat.
Their. little canoe flew over the water,
almost like bird, carrying white bone
In her mouth and leaving long ripple on
the CLASSY wave behind her. Chalss'
hands strsmbled. but siIl he odid good
execution with bis paddle. .o,Ahhopgh.
Stephen upon the run very different thing
from Stephen at slow walk, Charles still
had strong hopes Of winning the face and
gaining his point He several times csugh.i
glimpses efS.ephen through The trees, and,
as well as he could judge, the boa. had a
lille the best Of it. But when they came
out into the last opening, where for little
way.they had fair view OF each other,
Charles thought Stephen ran faster than
ever;and although he was now considerably,
nearer The school-house than Stephen, was
he still trembled for the result. They were
now within fifty rods OF The shore. and
Charles appealed again 10 The boys love Of
money ,T ata8 q y 'Ciilrosak
Now said he. 1--WE have not minute'io
spare. # we gain the point, III give you.
a dollar piece ..ia .,,l..te.'e. !.
The bsys strained every nerve, and
Charles paddle made the water Nv like
the tail Of a wounded siark. When within
hslfa dozen rods Of the shore, Charles
Hrged, them again 10 spring with ! all, their
might and one Of the boys, making, q
desperate plunge upon his oar, snapped Ii
in two. n The ffs. pnll ofgthe other oar,
headed ihe boat from land. 9 Charles saw III
oncs that the delay must be fatal, il he de-
pended on the boat to, carry him ashore.
The water was but three feet deep, and ,he
bottom was sandy. He sprung from the
boat, and rushed toward the shore as fast as
helwas able to press sarongh the water.
He few up the bank. and along the road,
ill he reached the school house. The
door was open, but he could see no one
within. Several children were at play
round the door, who, having seen Charles
approach with sucl, haste, stood with
mouths and eyes wide open, looking q.
him.
where's the schooIma' 'm!' said Chafles
hastily, 10 one Of the largest boys. g sara
why saidshe boy opening his eyes
still wider, is any Of the folks dead = Is.
sl,9 .Yeu. as,s linls rascal, says where's che
she lsss went down tha, road.' said the
boy, two or three minutes ago. ai7e
sWas she alnne!' said Charles. gsssoo 1
She aalted aIone,' said the boy, and a
man mel her on, there little ways. and
turned about and went with her.
Charles felt that sis cake was all dough
again. and ibat he might as we'll give /, up
for bad fob and 20 home. Stephen
lJones dLucy Brown walked very leisure.
y-h2me though the woods, and Charles
and The boys wen, very iei.urely in the
boat acrcss the pond They even stopped
BY the way, and csnghta mess Of fish,
since, III. boys had lhrowp1 their lines into
th46at when they. started. And when
sI5 reached the wharf. Charles, in in order
70 how FRAT he Rad been fishing, took 4
laTp swing Of the fish in his hand, and
carried them up to the house. Miss Lucy
Brownss on her way home through the
woods. had undoubtedly been informeds Of
the proposed tes-parsy for the. evening. 10
which she was 10 be invited, and 10 which
StsrheneJonss and Susan Jones were not
invited; AID when Miss i.ucy's sinvi,a.ion
came, she sent word back, thai she was
engaged. t;!,o,lg. 4 Z,
.s gB, @4zzzsA psarl yaf
Sam what are you doing there on The