Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-01-27

MN.
There was light canoe, belonging to hi.
father, lying at the wharf, and a couple o.
stout boys, were there fishing. Charlie.
hailed them and told them if they would row
him across the pond as quick MS they pos.
slbly could, he would give them quarter
OF dollar piece. This in their view was
a splendid offer for their service. and The,
jumped ON board with alacrity and manned
the oars. Charles took the paddle. and stood
IN the stern to steer the boat, and helped to
propel her ahead The distance by water
was little less than by land, and although
Stephen had considerably the start of him.
be believed he could be able to reach the
school house first, especially if Stephe-,
should not see him and quicken his pace
In one minute after he arrived at the wharf
the boat was under full way The BOYS laid
to the oars with right good will, and Charles
put out all his strength upon the paddle
They were shooting over the water twice as
fast as man could walk, and Charles al
ready felt sure of the victory. But when
they had gone about halfa mile they came
in the range of little opening in the trees
on the shore, where the road was exposed TO
view, and there at that critical moment, was
Stephen pursuing his easy walk. Charles
heart was in his mouth, Still il was nos
sIblc that Stephen might not see them. for
he had not yet looked round.
Lest the sound of the oars might attract
his attention, Charles had Instantly. on COM
ing IN sight, ordered the BOYS to stop rowing
and he had grasped his paddle with breath
less anxiety, and waited for Stephen again
TO disappear. But Just as he was upon the
point of passing behind some trees, where
the boat would be out of his sight, Stephen
turned his head and looked round. Vie
stopped short, turned square round, and
stood Tor the space of minute looking
steadily at the boat. Then lifting his hand
and shaking his fist resolniely al Charles. as
much as TO say, understand you, he started
into a quick run. e..,
Now boys said Charles, buckle to your
oars for your lives, and il you get to the
shore so can reach the school house be-
fore Stephen does, I'll give you falf dollar
apiece. sfl ~ - Da 90 as6sr
This Of coarse added new life 90 the bows
and increased speed to the boat. Their lit
tic canoe few over the water almost like a
bird, carrying white bone in her mouth,
and leaving ripple on the CLASSY wave be-
hnd her Charles hand trembled but still
ne did good execution with his paddle. Al
though Stephen upon the run was very
different thing from Stephen at slow walk,
Charles had still strong hopes of winning
the race and gaining his point. lie several
tunes caught glimpses of Stephen through
The tress, and, as well as he could Judge. the
boat had little the best oft. But wheE they
came ont into the last opening, where for a
little way they had fair view Of each Other,
Charles thought Stephen ran faster than ey-
er, and although be was eonilerably nearer
The school house than Stephen was, he still
trembled for the result-They were now
within fifty rods Of the shore, and Charles
again 10 the boys love of money.
Now said he, I'VE have not minute to
spare. If we gain the point, I'll give yon a
dollar apiece.
The boys straincd every nerve. and
Charles paddle made the water tly like the
tail of a wounded shark. When within half
a dozen rods of the shore, Charles urged
them again TO spring with al their might
and one of the boys, making desperate
plunge upon his oar, snapped it in two. The
FIRST pub of the other oar headed The boat
from land. Charles saw at once that the
delay must be fatal if he depended on the
boat TO carry mm ashore The water was
but three feet deep, and the bottom was
sandy. lie sprung from the boat. and
rushed towards the shore as fast as he was
able to press throngh the water. lie flew
up the bank, and along the road, till he
reached the school house. The door was
open, but he could see no ono within. Sew
eral children were at play round the door,
who having seen Charles approach with
such haste, stood with mouths and ewes vide
open, looking at him. M 'o''''''.7ia
Where's the school ma am z said Charles
hastily, to one Of the largest boys.
Whyr said the boy, opening his eyes
still wider, is any of the folks dead!
You little rascal, ! say, where's the school
ma'am /? m -
She just went down the road, said the |
BOY, two or three minutes ago
Was she alone ? said Charles,
She started alone, said the boy, 'and
nan met her OUT, there little ways, and
urned about aud went with her. ...ar.
Charles felt that his cake was all dough
gam and that he might as well give it up
or a bad job, aud go home. Stephen Jones
md Lucy Brown walked oery eisurely
lome through the woods, and Charles and
he boys went very leisurely in the boat a.
ross the pond. They even stopped by the
way, and caught mess of fish, since the
'oys had thrown their lines into the boat
when they started. And when they reached
he wharf, Charles in order to show that he
lad been fishing, took a large string of the
sh IN his hand, and carried them up to the