The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-03-03
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ANDREW ANDERsoN,s COURAGE.

had been playmates from their babyhood.-
They were named Isaac, Peter, and A!cxan-
der
Nov don't you think Andrew Anderson
is coward, Peter ?" asked Isaac, turning to
Peter-his face slightly flushed with feeling.
10 be sure d." replied Peter. Didn't
see him run away last night when Ned Mars
ton pe!tcd him with stones down by the old
orchard and didn't he refuse TO frht the
day Ned trOd Oh his toes: | tell YOU, if An
drew isn't coward then | don't know
beans"
There Mr.. Alec what do you say to
that said Isaac, as, turning towards Alex
aader he curlcd his lip, and laid his extend
I'd finger on lis shoulder.
Say :" replied Alexander calmly but firm
"; II say what said before. do not be-
lleye Andrew is q coward. In fact, think
he la, as much courage as either Of us, and
perhaps more"
Pooh ;" said Peter with a sheer.
And Isaac said s. Pooh :" too. And then
there was pause in their conversation.
At length Isaac said, I" If your friend An
drew has so much courage, why didn't he
fight when Ned pclted him, and when Dick
Dop.cr put his fist in his face before all the
scholars on Smiths green: If he is no cow
arl, why did he stand all that, Mr. Alec"
lie stood it because he bad courage. lie
hal too much courage to fight" replied Al
exandcr.
"Ah. All. That's good one. Too much
courage. ! say, if he had the spirit of a Sleep.
no wouldn't bear it at all. Id lick any boy
ii he was to serve me half as bad as Ned and
Dick have served him." said Isaac pickering
his lips.
Perhaps go" would, Isaac, for YOU are
a boy Of spirit. know: but you have no:
such spirit as Andrew Anderson He"
No. nor don't want such mean spirit.
either" replied Isaac, interrupting Alcxan-
der.
-\oT eltneT, duucu refer.
but hear me through, boys. was going
to say that Andrew has the spirit of Chris
tian hoy said Alexander.
"les, mean spirit" added Isaac; and III
try it the next time have chance. See if
don't"
The sound Of the school bell now called
these three boys TO their places in the school
house and their dispute about Andrew was.
for the time, lost sight of. The mysteries of
the Rule Of Three and of the roots of squares
and cubes drove all thought Of Andrew out
Of their young heads
But who was Andrew Anderson liz was
son OF pous gentleman just come into the
village Andrew had he"n tannht that II va. .
bis duty to be gentle, kind, patient and that
the trucst courage is to do right. Hence, lie
had dared to resist the attempts which had
SO soon been made to draw him into quarrel
by some Of his new school-mate
Isaac met Andrew in quiet spot the eve
min. Of the day Oh which the above CONVEX
alton took place Having firm belief in
Adrew'scowa' r"". he went up to him. dash
ing is cap to the gro I'd, pushing his fist
agains,his face, and said. VT out Won COW
ard
..urcw felt his heart stir at thu, unoro-
voked insult. But he remembered his Saith.
er's counsels and kept down his temper
Turning to Isaac, he said
'lou mistake me, Isaac, am not a cow
ard"
why don't You fight them"
Because l believe it is wrong to flint"
Wrong to fight, CHI? That's pretty cx
cuse. There, take that, and that, and that ~'
SAID Isaac, striking him three blows with his
fist as he spoke.
You will he sorry that YOU struck me one
OF these days, Master Isaac Mark NV words
replied Andrew, as he quietly walked away
from his flushed and clustering adversary.
IN hour later, Andrew aud many other
boys, with Isaac, Peter. and Alexander were
bathing in the mill-pond. Here the bows be-
held Andrews skill in swimming. diyinr
and floatirg. which far exceeded theirs. OF
course, most of them began to think that 50
bold swimmer could no. be murh of a COW
ar,l, after ALL
Isaac was vcxed, and so was Peter. They
saw themselves beat by a boy they ,lcspised.
Isaac, to show his his own cour,rp sw,m 20
wards the mildam. The water SWEPT outc
Violently over the lam, and it was dangerous
toget INTO the current. But Isaac felt fool. har-
uv; ana because Andrew was careful to keep
from The dangerous point, he swan close to
1t to show his superior courage
Don't swim too near the dam. Ike" s,out
Cd Peter, as he mounted log near the shore
Never fear for me, Pete" cried Isaac. 81
can 60 nearer the dam than any bow here"
don't, Ike, 90 any nearer" said p.tcr
:u,plcr;nSlv.
But likes pride was reused. and on h.
went, nearer and nearer the fatal current.
Soon he began to feel its force. Then. trv;pc
TO turn round, he found tho waters were ,oo
strong Tor him: and that. in spite of himself,
he was being swept downwards. Fortunate
~ there was very shoal spot in the current
at some distance above the dam. lie mad,
out to swim to this spot, and there he stood
helpless and alone, up to his breast IN w.t.r