Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-04
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY. MARCH 4, 1889.

md Charles pat oHt all his strength upon
he paddle. They. were shooting over
ne water twice as fast as man could
walk, and Charles already felt sure of the
victory. But when they had gone about
lalf mile, they came in range of lit
lie opening in the trees on the shore, and
he road was exposed to view, and there,
At that critical moment, was. Stephen pur-
suing his easy walk. Charles's heart
was in his mouth. Still it was possible
Stephen might not see them, for he had
NO. yet looked around Lest the sound
of the oars might attract his attention.
Charles had instantly,on coming in sight,
the boys TO stop rowing, and he
grasped his paddle with breathless anxi-
ety, and waited for Stephen again to dis
appear. But just as he was upon the
point of passing behind some trees, where
the boat would be out Of his sight, Steph-
en- turned his head and looked round,and
stood fof the space of a minute looking
steadily at the boat Then lifting his
hand, and shaking his fist resoultely at
Charles, as much as to say ] understand
you, he started into quick run.
Now, boys said Charles. buckle to
your oars for your lives, and if you can
get to the shore so / can reach the school
house before Stephen does, I'll give you
half a dollar apiece
This, of course, added new life to the
boys, and increased speed TO the boat
Their little canoe flew over the water al
most like bird, carrying a white bone
in her mouth, and leaving a long ripple
on the wave behind her Charles hand
trembIed. but still he did good execution
with his paddle. Although Stephen up.
on the run was q different thing from
Stephen on a slow walk, Charles still haC
strong hopes of winning the race anC
gaining his point. lie several times haC
caught glimpses of Stephen through tn,
trees, and, as well as he could Judge, tn,
boat had little the best of it. Bu
when they came out into the last opening
where for a little way they had a fai
view Of each other, Charles thought Ste
phen ran faster than ever; and althoug
he was considerably nearer the schoo-
house than Stephen was, he still tremble
for the result. They were now With
fifty rods Of the shore, and Charles ap
peated to the boys love Of money.
Now, said he, we have not minut
to spare. If we gain the point, I'll Civ
you dollar apiece
The boys strained every nerve, an
;. Charles's paddle made the water fly lik
the tail Of a wounded shark. Wine
within half a dozen rods of the shore.h
urged them again to spring with all the
might, and one Of the boys making de
perate plunge upon his oar, snapped
in two. The first pull Of the other Of
headed the boat from land. Charles sa
at once that delay must prove fatal, if I
depended on the boat to carry him ashor
The water was but three feet deep, al
the bottom was sandy. He sprung fro
the boat, and rushed towards the shore
fast as he was able to press through Il
water. He few up the bank and alor
the road, till he reached the school-hous
, The door was open, but he could see
one within. Several children were
! play round the door, who, having SCI
, Charles approach with such haste, stoc
with mouths and ears wide open, lookil
at him.
Where's the school-ma'am sa
: Charles hastily, to one of the large
: boys.
Why 2 said the boy, opening his ey
still wider, is any Of the folks dead 2
: You little rascal, say, where's t
o school-ma'am ?
= She just went down that road, 81
70 the boy, two or three minutes ago.
= Was she alone ? said Charles.
r. 'She started alone, said the boy, a
> man met her out there a little ways,a
turned about and went with her
p, Charles felt that his cake was dou
,t again, and that be might as we'll Civ,
,e up as a bad JOB, and go home. Stepi
-e Jones and Lucy Brown walked ve,y J,
N urely home through the woods, q
- Charles and the boys went very lcisur
d across the pond. They even stopped
ar the way, and caught mess Of fish, sil
n the boys had thrown their lines into
ot boat when they started. And when ii
,e reached the wharf, Charles, in order
show that be bad been a fishing, too
~ large string Of fish 10 bis hand and
Up ried them up to the house. Bliss L
Brown, on her way home through
.ss woods, had undoubtedly been inf9rn
a the uTGDD~ad tea Marty tgr tine egpui