The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-12-31
for the gittle folks.
THE APPRENTICE.


Christmas, so that the ice OF the big
pond was rather rotten; but daring
Harry thought he could brave it; ii
would be pity 10 spoil the fun now.
and so many admiring eyes fixed up
on him! He made bold dash, his
little figure, upright and graceful,
was balanced upon the ice. Then
there was a crash the dangerous
cake gave way; and with loud c:y
Harry fell amid the rush Of ice and
water.
The group at the window seemed
for moment paralyzed with,horror.
Then there was scattering for the
pond, land screaming and crying from
one and all.
Hes under the water!tather!
father! Harry's going under the ice
Every particle of color had gone
from Farmer MAYS face; he trem-
bIed in every limb. and threw up his
hands wildly. His strength seemed
to have ebbed away in the tide OF
grief and CONSERVATION.
80, help mer he cried. "My boy
my boy hes drowning, and ]
can't swim !'
"But can q shouted a voice, brave
and clear. Il can swim, and III save
him" and dashing past weeping mo-
Their Nav, Joseph Craig plunged in
to the freezing water headlong, and
swan for dear life How they all
watch him, brea,hless and excited,
their hearts hanging by thread, as
it were. How they shuddered when
they saw him grasp once, twice, a,
a dark object under the water. and
then rise, his face gashed and bleed
ing from contact with the ugly ice
corners. He was some way out now,
and made third dive; then there
wasa faint hurrah, and, breasting the
ice, he Just managed to swim to the
bank, with one arm holdind up poor
Harry.
"My child! my boy thank God"
cried the happy parent. folding him
in his arms. They bore him TO the
roaring fire in the sit,ing-room. and
rubbed him until he opened his eyes
and smiled. Very soon he was able
to 81, up, and laugh and talk na,ur-
ally. And where was Joseph all this
time! Sitting on the kitchen floor,
squeezing his wet clothes and rub
bing the great, painful gashes in his
arms and face, from which the blood
was still streaming.
"Joseph :" He listened; it was
Farmer Mays voice, unusually soft
and tender. The poor apprentice
lad shook like a leaf; before he was
aware strong arm came round be
meath him, lifting him from the floor.
He found himself, as if by magic, sit
ting beside Harry, and Harry's bright
head resting on his bosom,with large
Gears rolling down the grateiu! boys
cheeks.
ali there's anything YOU wish Tor
now, Joseph said the farmer, husk-
lily, anything you would like 10 have,
just name it, my boy. You have saw
ed Us many years Of sorrow, and
yiven us cause 10 remember this
Christmas before all others. Come,
speak cut, my boy
How could he speak when he felt
SO happyl Twice he tried TO gnlp
down the sebs rising in his throat
sohs Of Joy they were.
.'Only be kind TO me, SIR" he ut,
tered at length; "only drop kind
word now and then. for ha'n't any
mother like the rest"
How was it now with Farmer May!
He felt all at once what great lack
there had been in his otherwise kind
" heart. l. quite broak him down,
tha, appeal 10 his better nature; SO
he leaned on mother Mays Shoulder
and wept aloud. Joseph sa, as If IN
adrea,n his beautiful! Christmas had
come al Ias,-no more hungerIng
and thirsiing OF spirit now. low
the iovous red sparks OF fire light ran
up the white wall, the whole room
shining Harry squeezed him tight
Nv with one arm, and Tiny.her cheeks
flushed with crying. thrust her pref
~ doll into his lap, and whispered
"Thcre, there! keep it, Joseph; !
don't want it-indeed, and double
deed, | DON'T" and then she ran a.
way in a corner, her face turned to
the wall, lest by looking back she
nigh, repent the immense sacrifice,
Blu, tears cannot always last, and
very soon tine May family were all
bright and smiling again, Joseph the
happiest of all. Aud when the Christ
mas dinner was set ON, and all the
friends were gathered about it, they
made a place for Joseph; and Moth
=, Nav could not heap his plate e.
nough with the good things; and the
,.oor lad ielt more like crying than
laughing. at all the kind words eve
Nv one had for him. SO full OF tend