American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-01
II Hadn't a Mother Like the Rest. "

fer two or three days before Christmas,
so that the ice of the big pond was rath-
er rotten; but daring Harry thought he
could brave it; it would be pity to
spoil the fun now, and so many admiring
eyes fixed upon him, too. He made
bold dosh--his little figure, upright and
graceful, was balanced upon the ice
Then here was crash! the dangerous
cake gave way, and with loud cry, Har-
ry fel! amid the rush of ice aud water.
The group at the window seemed for
moment paralyzed with horror Then
there was scattering for the pond, and a
screaming aud crying from one and all.
"He's under the water father! Harry's
gone under the ice!" Every particle of
color had gone from farmer Mays face,
he trembled in every limb, and threw up
his hands wildly His strength seemed
to have cbbed away in the tide of grief.
80 help mep' he cried. "My boy
my boy! and can't swim" " But [
can :" shouted a voice, brave and clear
as an angels almost: II can swim, and
I'll save him." and dashing past weep
ing Mother May, Joseph Craig plunged
headlong into the freezing water, swim
ming for dear life How ,hey watch him,
brcathless and excited, their hearts hang
ing by thread as iswere! How they
shuddered when they saw him grasp, once.
twice, at dark object under the water,
and then rise, his face gashed and bleed
ing from contact with the ugly ice corn
ers, He was some way out now, and
made third dive; then there was hur-
rah, and, bresting the ice, he just man
aged to swim to the bank, with one arm
holding up poor Harry.
"My child my boy oy!-thank God !'
cried the happy parent, folding him in
his arms. They bore him to the roaring
fire in the sitting room, and rubbed him
until he opened his eyes and SMILED
Very soon he was able to sit up and
laugh and talk naturally, And where
was Joseph all this time? Sitting on
the kitchen floor, squeezing his wet
clothes and rubbing the great painful
gashes in his arms and face, from which
the blood was still streaming,
Joseph" lie listened; it was farm
or Mays voice, unusually soft aud tender.
The poor apprentice lad shook like leaf;
before he was aware strong arm came
around him, lifting him from the floor.
He found himself as if by magic, sitting
besides Harry, and Harry's bright head
resting on his bosom, with great tears
rolling down the grateful boys cheeks
II there is anything you wish for
now Joseph said the farmer, huskily-
anything you'd like to have, just name
it, my boy. You have saved US many a
year Of sorrow, and given us cause to re-
member this Christmas before all others.
Come, speak out my boy" How could
he speak when he felt SO happy? Twice
he tried to gulp down the sobs rising in
his throat sobs Of JOY they were. "Only
be kind to me, sir" he gaspcd out at
length; "only drop kind word now and
then, for | liant any mother like the
resi-"
How was it now with Farmer May p
lie felt all at once what great lack
there had been in his otherwise kindly
heart 1t quite broke him down, that
appeal to his better nature; so he leaned
on Mother Mays shoulder and sobbed
aloud. Joseph sat as if IN dream; hi:
beautiful Christmas had come at last, ne
more hunger and thirsting of spirit now
How Lhe joyous red sparks of fire light
ran up the white wall the whole rooh
shining! Harry squeezing him tightly
with one arm and Tiny her checks flush
ed with crying, thrusting her pretty dol
into his lap, lay whispering, "There
there! keep it Joseph. don't want it
indeed, and double deed, don't, and
then running away in The corner, hel
face turned to the wall lest by looking
back she might repent the immense sac.
rifce.
Well-well, tears cannot alwa US last
and very soon the May family were
bright and smiling again, Joseph the hap
piest of all. And when Christmas din
ner was set on, aud all the friends were
gathered about it, they made place for
Joe among the children; and Mother
May could not heap his plate enough
with good things; and the poor lad felt as
If he were more ready to cry than to
laugh, at all the kindly words which ev-
cry one had for him.
Oh, what blessing there is often in a
four lind xrnr1o