The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-07-22

brightly on the dazzling ice and snow.
Every skater and slider Of the primary
and high schools, besides some who
could neither skate nor slide, was on
the meadows, or on the hill sloping
toward them. George, having fastened
a worn trunk-strap to his still unpainted
sled, was trying his best to steer it
straight down the sliding track. But it
needed shoeing, and would not work
very well. However, the other boys
laughed at him as they whizzcd by him
on their red and yellow craft.
Huzza, Bob :" cried one to another,
"let's try race with the Snail =
What'l you bet on your racer, George 7"
George could never bear to be laugh
ed at, any more than little girl; and
he had hard work again to keep back
his tears. Perhaps he would not have
been so tender-hearted child if he had
always been knocked about in the school
world. But, until within a year, he
had lived very peaceful life at home,
alone. His mother, good humored
lady, had INDUCED him in every thing
that did not discommode herself; and
his father, without taking any particular
pains to provide him with anything that
costs money, had left him to " tinker
away" as he called it, to his hearts con-
tent.
Seven months before, his brother
Philip had returned from the house of an
uncle in neighboring city, where he
had been spending two years in attend
ing school, clerking a little, sc. His
uncle had kept him as " errand boy";
and when he broke up housekeeping in
consequence ofthe death of his wife, he
sent Philip to his home again, and little
Eta with him. Philip was an active,
ingenious boy, and had pro6tted well by
his opportunities of seeing what was done
in the world. His uncle had made him
many presents in the line of painting
and designing, SO that he felt very vain
in his requirements, and made quite a
{" flourish" about them to his little
brother, after his return home.
George had longcd to welcome Philip
home. "It would be so nice to have a
big BROTHER" he had said. His little
heart had gone out in love and admira-
ton towards him. Philip had seemed
kind and brotherly for few weeks. But
as soon as the novelty of things had
worn away, and had found other and
older associates, he. had grown very
careless of his little brothers. feelings.
Each succeeding week had seemed to
roll him more closely in his scl6shness.
i We left George standing at the top of
the hill, twirling one of the balls Of his
blue comforter, and watching the de-
scent of beautiful orange colored sled,
with almost feeling of covetousness.
All at once, a piercing shrek rang over
the playground. He jumped on his
sled at once and pushed it to the bottom
of the hill, where the smaller boys had
assembled. They saw the skaters from
all directions hurrying towards one spot.
"To the meadows % was the cry of
dozen, as again and yet again that cry
RING out, strong and shrill, over their
heads. Somebody is drowning!"
The sleds were dropped, and all rush
ed to the shore. George was foremost.
The meadows were partially covered
with woods, and beyond the range of
those woods the boys we're forbidden to
90, as to skate there was considered
dangerous. They soon discovered, new
ertheless, that the sounds proceeded
from that direction; and slipping their
smooth boots along the ice they reached
the wood. Here the larger boys had
already clustered, and were standing
with.pale, fearful faces, or anxiously try
| ing the strength of the ice, as they at
tempted to advance.
Dimly above the white ice, at little
distance, could be seen the head of a
cap. Crash, and down went another,
who had pushed out to save him. The
boys gave cry of terror. 81
"Never mind me! Never fear,"
shouted the last, throwing his arms
across the edge of the ice. 81 can hold
on long while yet; and / don't believe
| il is deep enough here to drown me.
Go and help Philip; he will drown in a
little while, If you don't get to him.
You large boys can't come-it won't
bear you. Send one Of the little fellows
and get that Ing pole"
"Come, Bob I" exclaimed an older
boy, seizing the smallest boy near him
by the shoulder.
"Oh, no 20 screamed the little fol-