The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-24
II Havn't A Mother Like The Rest"

The weather had been unusually mild Tor
two or three days before Christmas, SO that
the face Of the big pond was rather rotten ;
but daring Harry thought he could brave II (;
Il would be pity to spoil the fun now, and
90 many admiring eyes fixed upon him, too.
lie made bold dash; his little figure. up.
right and graceful, was balanced upon the
ice. Then there was crash, the dangerous
cake gave way, and with loud cry. Harry
fell amid the rush Of ice and water. The
group ut the window seemed for o moment
paraiyzed with horror. Then there was q
scattering for the pond. and a screaming aud
CRYING from one and all. "IIes under the
water father father Harry's going un.
der the ice! !" Every particle Of color had
gone from Farmer Mays face he trembled
in every limb. and threw up his hands wild.
ly. His strength seemed TO have ebbed away
in the tide OF grief.
"Oh, help mel" he cried. "My boy
my hoy and can't swim !" "But | can, -
shouted voice. brave and clear as an angels
almost ~ can swim. and I'll save him J"
and d,shing past weeping mother May, JOS
eph Craig plunged headlong into the freez-
ing water, swimming for dear. life How
they watched him breathless and excited,
their hearts hanging by thread rs it were
How they shuddered as they saw him grasp
once. twice ut u dark object under the water !,
and then rise. with his face gashed and bleed
ing from contact with the ugly leo corners
IIe was some way out now and made third
dive; then there was faint hurrah, and,
breasting the icc, he just managed to swim to
the bank. with one arm holding up poor
Harry. ~
"My child my hoy !-thank God !" cried
the happy parent, folding him in his arms
They bore him 10 the roaring fire in the sit.
tiny.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 the 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 lisien,i; It was Farmer
Mays voice. unusually ,ft and tender. The
poor apprentice lad shook like leaf; before
hs was aware u strong arm came round be.
hind him, lifting him from the floor. He
found himself. as if by magic. sitting beside
Harry; and H,rry's bright head resting on
hi, bosom, with great tears rolling down the
grateful boys cheeks.
"If there's anything yon wish for now.
Joseph" said the armer, huskily, "anything
YOU d like to have, just name It, my boy.
You have saved MS many II year OF sorrow.
and given US Gauss to remember this Christ
mas before all Others. Come, speak out my
boy" How could he speak. when he felt al
happy? Twice he tried to gulp down the
sohs rising In his throat-sobs Of JOY they
were. "Unly ba kind to me, sir" he gaspsi
out at length; only drop a kind word now
aud then, for | havn't any mother like tho
rest. !" .. .. ...
How was It now with father May? He felt
all at once what great lack there has been
in his otherwise kindly heart. Itquite broke
him down, that app'al To his batter nature;
SD he leaned on mother Mays shoulder and
sobbed aloud. Joseph sat Us IL in u dream {:
his beautiful Christmas had come at last; no
more hunger and thirsting OF spirit now.
How the joyous red sparks of 6re.light ran
up the white wall. the whole room shining
Harry squeezing him tightly with one arm.
and Tiny, her cheeks flushed with crying,
thrusting her pretty doll into his lap. whis.
paring "There, there keep 1t. Joseph.
don't want It; indeed, and double deed, |
dont;" and then running away with her lace
to the wall. lest by looking back she might
repent the immense sacrifice.
We'll, well. tears cannot always last, and
very soon the May family were bright and
smiling again, Joseph tho happcst of oil.
And when the Christmas dinner was set TN,
and all the friends were gathered about 1t,
they made place for Joe among the chill
drcn; and mother May could not heap his
plate enough with good things, and the poor
lad felt as IL he was more ready To cry than
laugh at all the kindly words which every
one had for him.
Oh, what blessing there is often in few
kind words I....