Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-02-07

disms, her school al noon. ard come the distance
ola mile and half round the pond home. Ills
mind was a, once made up. He would 90 round
md meet her on her walk There, in that wind
ing road around those delightful waters, with the
tall and shady trees overhead, and the wild grape.
vines twining around their trunks, and climbing
tothe branches, while the wild birds were singing
through the woods, and the wild ducks playing in
the covcs along the shore, surely there, if any
where in the world, could n man bring his mind
up to the point Of speaking Of love
Accordingly little before mon Stephen wash.
ed and brushed hims II up, and pu, on his Sunday
clothes and started on his expedition In order to
avoid observation, he took back route across
the fields intending TO come into the road by the
pond liulc out ofthe village Az i'll luck would
have it, Charles Robinson had been on, in the
same direction, and wns returning with an arniful
of green bougbs and wild flowers to o,namen, the
parlor for the evening lie saw Stephen, and no.
ticcd his dress, and the direction he was going,
and he at once smoked the whole business His
first impulse was to rush upon HIM md demand
that he should return back But then he rocol.
ec,ed that in the lest scratch he had with Stephen
two three years b, fore, he had little the worst
of il, and he instincvely stood still while Stephen
passed on without seeing him, It flashed upon
his mind at once tina, the question mus, now be
reduced to game Of speed II he could by any
means gain the .chool-house first and engage
Miss Lucy to walk home with him, he should
consider himself safe. But if Stephen should
reach the school-houso first, he should feel good
deal OF unensincss for the consequence. Stephen
was walking very hesurcly and unconscious that
he was in any danger ofa competitor on the course
and it WINS important tina, his suspicious should be
awakened Charles. therefore remained peri, city
quiet I'LL Stephen had got a little out Of hearing
and then he threw down his bushes and flowers,
and ran to the wharf below the store with his mt.
most speed He had one advantage over Stephen
He wss ready at a moments warning to start on
an expedition of this kind for Sunday clothes
were every day affair with him There WINS
a ligh, canoe belonging to his father lying at tho
wharf and couple Of s,ou, boys were there fish
4 ing Charles hailed them and told them f,hey
would row him across the pond as quitl, os they
possibly could, he would give them o quartar of
dollar apiece. This, in their view was splen.
did offer for their services, and jumped Oh board
with alarcty and manned the oars Charles took
paddle, and stood in the stern to steer the boat,
and help prope her ahead The distance by
water little less than by land, and although
Stephen had considerably the start of him. he be.
Loved he should be able to reach the school house
first, especially if Stephen should no, see him and
quicken his pace In one minute after he arrived
at the wharf the boat was under full way The
boys laid down to their with right good will
and Charles put out all his strength upon the pad
die They were shooting over the water twice
as fast as man could walk md Charles already
felt sure Of the victory. BIT when they had gone
about half mile they came in the rnnge Of a it,
tie opening in the trees on the shore where the
road was exposed to view, and there at that crit.
cal moment, was Stephen pursuing his rosy way
Charles heart was in his mouth Still it was
not yet looked around Lest the sound Of the oar.
nigh, attract his ATTIC ntion, Charles had instantly,
on coming in sight, ordered the boy. TO stop row.
ing and he grasped his paddle with breathe IS
P anxiety, and awaited for Stephen again to disap-
! pear. But just as he upon the point Of pas
sing beh nj some trees, where the boat would be
out Of sight, Stephen turned hi, head and looked
i around and stood for the space OF a minute look
# ing steadily at the boat Then lifting his hand
il and sinking his fist resolu,ely n, Charles much
i as 10 sny understand you and started into a
+ quick run
= "Now boys" said Charles, "brcLle to your
II oars for your lives and il you get TO the shore 60
r can reach the school-house before Stephen does
= ! will give you half a dollar apiece"
This, Of course, added new III, TO the hoy. and
T. increased speed 10 the boat Their lille cnnoo
2 flew over the water almost Ike a bird, carrying a
p whre bone in her mouth, md lcnying long rip
il pie on the CLASSY wave behnd her Charles
hand trembled, but sill h. done good execution
J. with hi. paddle Although Stephen upon the run
wa. very dir rent thing from Stephen a, slow
s walk, Charles had strong hopes Of winning the
g race and gaining hi, poin, He several time,
I caught giimpses NJ Stephen through III. trees md
II as well as he could Judge the boat had little
; the best Of l. Bun when they came on, in the
Z. las, opening where, FOR linle way, they bad q
I fair view Of each other, Charles thought Stephen
i. ran barber than ever anl although he was now
p considerably nearer the school-house than Ste
phen was. be rembled for the result They
h were now within fifty rods Of the shore, and
e Charles appealed again to the boys' love Of mon
e g.