The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-12-13

-'s'' "''~N A'''A' SSS Se"iSS oHu suCu SAOCP WI
whimpering and rubbing his eyes with his
striped yarn mittens. And they laughed
and shouted, as another bolder and more ex-
pert than the rest, cut bis name upon the ice
with his shining skates, and then, proud of
his achievement, flew off in a thousand fantas-
tic turns and windings.
Tom Post had new pair Of skates, a
present from Mr.. Manly, which he proudly
strapped on that day. Little Jane, as usual.
had gone with him ard the others to the pond.
She crouched down with her little skirts
drawn closely about her, was dragged by
Tom, across the pond and back again. up and
down, both as happy as children we'll could
be-the merriest, perhaps Of all the merry
group.
In the midst oftheir sport ashudlering
movement was felt beneath their feet, follow
ed instantly by report like the roar Of a
cannon. The ice is breaking-the ice is
breaking!' burst from score of lips, and
made their way to the side nearest the school
house.
/ Tom Post and Jane Manly were near the
opposite bank, and another boy and girl just
behind them. At the sound of the breaking
ice and the shouts of the boys, they turned
and made their way toward the other side
On the BOYS went in fierce haste, the girls
trembling and clinging to them. They had
almost gained the shore, when ust at their
feet the ice parted. leaving yawning fissure.
two yards, at least, in width. There was no
time to pause; and down into the deep water
went the four children and disappeared from
sight.
None of the boys dared venture upon the
ice f; bnt some of them and many OF the girls
ran towards the school house, to tell the
teacher that Tom and Jane and the others
were drowned in the pond. The teacher in
stantly started for the place, calling 10 his
AID some men who where passing in sleighS.
Before they reached the place, however, the
boy who had gone with Tom had managed to
crawl out of the water, and they met some
OF the larger boys carrying hin TO the school
house.
Tom Post rose almost Immediately, and
caught the ice with one of hi, long, strong
arms. while with the other he contrved to
keep little Jane Manly's head above water
The other little girl had .rasped his garments
and her struggles more than once nearly
caused him to let 90 his hold: but bravely
and strongly Tom still cluns to the cold,
sharp ice. On the bank the children stood
screaming with terror: but none dared TO do
ANYTHING to aid poor Tom until the men came
up. Then the largest boy was made to lie
down upon the ice, and while one Of the men
held his feet. creep cut andI Iiit little Jane OuI
of the water, and bring her to the shore. A
second time the same boy tried to help Tom
but for lorg while in vain, for the little girl
below still gra>ped him and held him down
But after many efforts, both we're lifted out
and placed tos ether upon the bank.
Tine little girl was quite dead for, though
she was carried to the nearest house, and
every possible effort made, she could not be
revived. But, as for Tom and Jane, they
were only dreadiully wet and chilled, and
after an hour or two, were wrapped in warm
blankets, and carried home to Mr.. Manly $
house. Little Jane was i'll long time, from
the fright and cold but she finally recover
ed. But Tom was quite as well as usual next
day, except that the hand which grasped the
ice was frozen. Mr.. Manly was very CRATE
iul to Tom Post, for he tet that he had saved
his precious daughters life. lie loved the
brave noble boy more than ever before and
after consulting with Mrs. Manly, who fel,
Just as he did, they decided to adopt Thomas
as their own child This they did, with the
consent of his mother and grandfather, and
gave him an excellent education. So, when
he grew to be man, he studied profession,
and is now established in the very town where
his uotber first saw and IN arried his father.
Everybody likes Thomas Post, Esq. lie
is a benevolent, earnest man, strong and
brave, and noble as he was in childhood
Mr.. Manly has never hal cause to blush for
the youth whom he raised FROM poverty in
his deep gratitude.