Smyrna times., 1865-11-08
nain't a Mother like the Rest

The weather had been unusually mild fo
! two or three days before Christmas, 50 that th,
ice on the big pond was rotten; but Harr,
thought he could brave it it would be pit,
not to enjoy the fun now, with so many admir-
ing eyes fixed upon him. He made boil,
daSh-hiS little figure, upright and graceful
was balanced upon the ice. Then there was ;
crash. The ice gave way; and with loud cry
| Harry disappeared beneath it, The gruul, al
the window seemed tor moment paralyzeC
with horror Then several voices exclaimed
lie 5 under the watGr-father, father, lIar
! ~ $ under the Ice -
Every particle Of color had gone from Far.
mcr May face. He trcmblcd and threw m
his hands wildly. 80 hcIp!' he cried. MY
boy-my boy and can't swim -
But ! can" shouted a voice Il can
swim. and III save him." and dashing passed
the weeping mother, Joseph Craig plunged in
the freezing water.
How they watched him brcathless and excl
ted. How they shuddered when they saw
him grasp once, twice, at dark object under
the water and then rise, his face gashed and
bleeding from contact with the ugly ice corn
erS. lie was some way out but breaStinc the
ice, he swami slowly and with difficulty to the
bank, with one arm holding up poor Harry.
Thank Cod! cried the happy parent.
folding him in his arms. They bore him to the
roaring trc In the sitting rOom and rubbed
him until he opened his eyes, Very soon he
was able to sit up.
And where was Joseph? Sitting on the
kitchen floor, squeezing his wet clothes and
rubbing the great painful gashes on his arms
and face, from which the blood was still stream
ing.
Joseph" 1t was Farmer Mays voice.
unusually soft and tender. Before he was
aware, the poor apprentice lad felt strong
arm around hun. and i'll moment found him
self sitting beside Harry, with great tears
rolling down the grateful boy checks
" If there's anything you wish for now
'joseph, said the farmer, anything you'd
like to have, just name it, my boy. You have
saved us many year of sorrow, and given us
cause to remember this Christmas before all
Others"
Twice Joseph tried to gulp down the sobs
rising in his throat; sobs of JOY they were
:, My be kind to me, sir, he said at length:
" only drop Il kind word to me now and then,
for hahn any mother, like the rest. !"
How was it with Farmer May? He felt at
once what great Jack there had been in his |
kindly heart. 1t quite broke him |
down, that appeal to his better nature so he |
bowed his head upon his hands and cried like |
4 child.
Joseph sat as if in a dream. His beautiful
JHIlSlllldS ndu come dJ ldSU. NO more munger /
md thirsting Of spirit now. How the Joyous
ed sparks of firclight ran up the white walls,
he whole room shining Harry pressed him
lightly with one arm, Tiny, her cheeks flushed
With crying, thrust her pretty doll iuto his lap.
There, there keep it, Joseph.
don t want it. indeed don't, and then ran
way into the corner, her face to the wall lest
" a look back she might repent the immense
acIilice.
Well, well, tears cannot always last, and
cry soon the May family were bright and
milling again, Joseph the happiest Of ALL
nd all the friends were gathered about it.
hey made a place for Joe among the children
nd Mother May could not heap his plate
nough with the good things; and the poor ,
I'd felt as if he were more ready to cry than to
Iugh, at all the kindly words which every ,
ne had for him.