The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-07

OF the boys strapped on their skates and sta
ted off in fine style. Harry took Dicks shaw
and spread it cut at the foot Of the great ell
tree, which overhung the river, and sat dow
upon it. He looked up. Through the leahes
branches the sky shone blue and clear, be
gemmcd with stars. Way up and down tn
bank as far as he could see little bushes nudge
and crowded each ether, and leaned far owe
on to the frozen stream
A very pleasant river bank they had Away
made for him before ; but now they grey
weird and grim, in the dim light and the tai
forests beyond them was full of gloom The
boys had gone far down the river, and Harry
grew so very lonely he thought he could no
stand 1t any longer and had Just made up
his mind to 90 home to his mother, when he
was startled by cracking of the bushes be-
hind him. 1t was only Dick Colton's dog
however, that jumped out OF the underbrusE
on to Harry's neck, and began to wag his tail
as much as to say, You are not so bad a boy
after all Harry was glad just then to have
the caresses Of any living thing SO he Rugged
the dog, until he barked Tor pain. Suddenly
there came up the river shrek, SO clear, 50
shrill and wild Harry sta rted up in terror.
Skating toward him, as for dear life, he saw
five boys. Where was the sixth
Oh, come quick " they Il cuttd to Harry.
Dick will drown. He has broken through
the ice. Oh, dc core.
Harry was a quick-witted boy Your
skates, he said to the smallest boy. They
were off and buckled on again in twinkling.
Harry snatched the shawl, and in less time
than | am writing this, was far down tic
river.
Stop, stop, screamed tie boy behind him,
{ there he IS. You will be in after him.
Aad SO he might, had not the stalwart fellow
caught Harry by tie arm, and thrown him
sOmeraaut upon the ice. The thin crust
cracked beneath them, and they were obliged
10 creep very carefully. Poor Dick was in
fearful plight. Yet Providence had given
him fragile hold upon life. In an autumn
gale, tail tree had been dislodgod from the
shelving shore, and had fallen into the stream.
which was here both broad and deep. Upon
the ontermost branch Of this tree slender and
traiI, Dick supported himself He did no.
try to reach the ice, for he knew that it would
break OFT at his touch so that his only hone
ay In the oyerhaDging tree. He was wise
10Y to send Tor sharp brave Harry. who did
uSt what you must do in like trial. He
Fept as near the hole as he burst, and laid
lat upon the ice then he made another stout
10Y lie down behind him and take hold Of his
eeis. 1hereupon he threw a corner of the
hawl to Dick, who, by the help of that, made
ut to reach the firm trunk of the tree upon
'hlch he easily clambered on TO the stronger
90.
There was no more skating that night.
'lck's little dog clapped his tail between his
egs, and walked behind his drenched master,
inning piteousl y. Harry sobered and sad.
ened, went straight home, and laid omen his
artto bis mother. Oh, if it lad been me-
ear mother, said he, how should have
lought OF my unkindness to you. Can | ever
eat you so again?
uOo noiping you, my son, you will not,
ia the widow her eyes filling with tears.
And Harry did, trust, thereafter. trv 10
lnll the full meaning Of that holy command
ent with promise. wish, too, that Dick
oiton S heart had been washed clean in that
u, river; but Poor Dick was but sorry
low no at best. He was laid up long time
IN a iever' brought on by the exposure of
at night, and for mole than year was barely
ne 10 hobble about When | last saw him
had Just shipped on board of merchant.
an, bound for China.
wore than one praying mother holds the
or wall IN remembrance and have strong
tn OF good news of him some day.
honor thy father and thy mother. which