Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-06-04
Little CHARLES WILL.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

old seaport towns OF Massachusetts.
These boys were as unlike as two brothers
could well be. Walter was a rough, plain boy,
large Of his age, and rather clumsey, with a
passionate, jealous temper which gave his
friends great deal of trouble. But he had
some noble qualities; he was as brave as a
young lion, faithful, diligent, perfectly honest
and truthful, and sometimes very tender in his
feelings. Charlie, some two years younger than
Walter, was delicate, beautiful sweet tenn
pered boy, who loved everybody, and IN return
was greatly beloved. lie was fair, pale, and
slight, with blue eyes and golden curls Walter
said he looked like girl, and sometimes laugh
ed at his delicacy; but, for all that, he was
Jealous Of the poor child's beauty-cven of his
weakness.
Captain Harrison was most of the time at
sea, and his gentle wife found it difficult to con-
troll the impatient spirit, or correct the even
more unamabe moodiness, of her eldest son.
| If she reproved him sterny, he would often ac-
cuse her of being partial to her youngest and
handsomest son, and say that she petted and n-
dulged Charlie so much that he could not be
disobcdcnt, or give her any trouble. lie him
self. he said, would be good, il he were so
treated.
Walter really thought himself slighted and
unloved, because he knew he was very plain,
and he saw his sckly brother, cared for con
stantly. lie never seemed to think how ridi-
culous it would look in his mother to be nurs-
inr and pettng stout healthy boy, who was
one of the strongest wrestIers, and the best
hand with the ball, in all the town.
Walter, with all his fine health, was often
silent and sullen, while his brother was seldom
too ill to be talkativc and cheerful SO it was
yerv natural for vlsters to notice Charlie the
most. and, as they supposed he needed amusing
/ TO send him books and to make him presents
mos. frequently All this "partiaity" was
shown to him. Walter said. because he happen
ed to have plain face, and didn't know how to
put himself forward Charlie was gricved at
this. and always wished to share his gifts with
his brother: but " alter could never be per-
suadcd to accept anything.
One time, when Charlie was about ten years
Old, his mother had u visit from plouS maiden
aunt. who spent some weeks IN the tlmliy.-
During Miss Hannah Perkns's stay, she be-
came much attached to quiet little Charlie; but
as " alter gave way TO his temper, two or three
| times before her, and made sport OF some o!
her queer ways, she dill not like him oVermucil,
though she thought he might be made a good
boy Of with proper management She won
dcrcd how his mother could let such hts OF pas
sion and such naughty tricks pass without Sc
we're punishment. II he were her child, she
said, she would soon whip that bad temper out
of him. But Mrs. Harrison believed that one
blow would put more evil passion into tile
hear, of such proud boy US Waiter than she
could ever get out.
She never failed seriously to rcprove his
faults and wrong actions and she hncw--wIlat
she told no one-that Walter would always
come to her, after an outburst Of lrnpatlencc or
bad feeling, and ask her forgiveness She
knew that he loved her, his father, brother, and
! little sister, intensely SO she was patient, and
prayed God 10 soften the heart and subdue the
temper of her unhappy Child.
A short time after Aunt Hannah returned
home, she sent the boys each book. Charles
happened 10 be opened first. 1t was hand
some illustrated copy of " Robinson Crusoe.' .
Walter then eagerly opened his own, which was
rather gayly bound. 1t was "Ihe Memoirs ofd
.Sunday Schooi .SchoiQr" Ualtcr flung it down,
saying, angry, ~ hat did the old maid send
me this for, wonder: have had enough OF
such things out Of the Sunday School Library.
She did not send YOU such humdrum sort Oi
book, Charlie. | suppose she thought You
were pious enough without"
"Oh brother" said Charlie, 'dont talk 50
hard am sure Aunt Hannah meant very
kindly by US both"
Halter took up his book, and began looking
through it, but he soon broke out again
"Phsaw just as thought; nothing but ear
ly pie,y, early picty Uhy couldn't she have
sent me some story about wars, or pirates, or
even Indians? | am tired to death Of early
plety
"You will never trouble your friends with it.,
nv son." said Ms. Harrison, who had Just en-
tered the room. Walter started and bluShcd !;
he did not know that his mother was SO near.
But he REPLIED sullcnIy-
IL wish might not trouble them in any way
any longer. 1t would be better for all ii were
dead and buried for rm OF no use III the world
and nobody loves me-"
After having sad these unkind words, Wal
ter took his ball-club and went out ON to the
villagc>green, where the boys were already at
play. Charlie soon followed, not to mlnglc in
the sport, for he was not strong enough for
that but he loved always to watch his brother,
and felt proud of his skill and strength.
/ After about Il hat-hourS play, many Of
the boys set out for home, as a hard storm
seemed coming on. The clouds were rolling
up thick and black, the llghtnIngs flashed, and
the thunder broke overhead Walter Harrison,
who had appeared halt angry III all his play,
was now leaning against the side OF the church,
within Il yard or two Of the hghtnIng~rod.--
The boys called TO him to come away, as he
was in dangerous place but Walter would
not STIR. Charlie ran up to him, and begged
him to 90 homc; but he only said
81 don't care If the lightning does strike me.
] tell you again I'm OF no use in the world
nobody loves ne. You may run home, If you
are afraid"
81 am not afraid for myself brother" said
Charlie, his llp quNerIng ;"but will 90 home
and beg mamma to come for you"
Charlie had not run half across the green
when there came great blaze of lightning
and heavy crash o thunder, which seemed lc
shake the very ground. The boys vino were
looking toward the Church SAID that they saw
the lightning roll down the rod like IA ball Of
fire, and disappear IN the earth and that at the
same instant Walter fell to the ground. They
ran to hun at once, raised him up, and carried
him home. The poor boys eyes and moutI
were open, but he seemed quite dead. The
doctor was sent for-camc Immediately, tool
Walter from the bed, lald him on the floor
and began pouring cold water upon him by the
bucketlu. Mrs Harrison had been strangely
calm at first; but when Walter began to SHOW