The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-02-17
II Han q Mother like the Rest. -

=. H. W.
"I Ha mt a Mother like the Rest. -
The weather had been unusually mild
for two or three days before Christmas,
so that the face 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 a bold
dash; his little figure, upright and grace
full, was balanced upon the ice Then
there was crash the dangerous cake
gave way; and with a loud cry, Harry
fell amid the rush of ice and water
The group at the window seemed for a
moment paralyzed with horror Then
there was scattering for the pond and a
screaming and crying for one and all.
''He's under the water. father. father
Harry's going under the ice Every
particle of color had gone from farmer
Nays face: he trembled in every limb.
and threw up his hands wildly. His
strength seemed to have ebbed away in the
tide of grief.
"Oh, help me-" he cried. My boy
my boy and l can't swim but |
can," shouted voice, brave and clear as
IN angels. almost Il can swim, and III
save him!'' and, daShing past weeping
mother May, Joseph Craig plunged head
long into the freezing water. swimming
for dear life How they watched him
breathleSs and excited. their hearts hang
ing by thread as it were How they
shuddered as they saw him grasp once.
twice at dark object under water, and
then rise, with his face ga>hed and bleed
ng from contact with the ugly ice corn-
ers lie was some way out now, and
made a third dive then there was faint
hurrah. and, breasting the ice, he just
managed to swim TO the land, with one
arm holding up poor Harry
"Mv child nv boy! 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
till he opened his ewes and smiled. Very
soon he WAS able to sit up, and lau.h h and
, talk naturally. And where was Joseph
all the time sitting ON the kitchen floor
squeezing his Wet clothes. and rubbing the
great painful ga>hcS in his arms and face.
from which the blood WAS still streaming.
"Joseph." He listened; it WAS Farm
er Mays voice. unusually soft and tender
The poor apprentice lad shook like a leaf;
before he was aware Il strong arm came
round behind. lifting him from the floor
He found himself. as if by magic. sitting
beside Harry; and Harry's bright head
resting on his bosom. with great tears
rolling down the grateful boys cheeks.
iihere'S anything YOU wish for now.
Joseph" said the farmer, huskilv, "any,
thing 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. Come
speak out. my boy How could he ~pea,
when he felt SO happy? Twice he tried
to gulp down the sobs rising in his throat
Sobs of JOY they We're. Only be kind to
me, sir he gasped out at length. ''only
drop kind word now and then, for !
ha'n't any mother like the rest"
How was it now with Farmer Nav
He felt at once what great lack there ha.
been in his otherwise kindly heart. Ii
quite broke him down, that appeal to hi.
better nature; so he leaned on Mother
Mays shoulder and sobbed aloud. Joseph
sat as if in dream his beautiful Christ
mas had come at last, no more hunger and
thirsting of spirit now. How the joyiSI
red sparks of freight ran up the white
wall, the whole room shining, Harry
squeezing him tightly with one arm, ant
Tiny, her cheeks flushed with crying,
thrusting her pretty doll into his lap
whispering: There, there. keepit Joseph
| don't want it indeed, and doubledeed, ]
don't" and then running away with hel
face to the wall. lest by looking back sh,
might repent the immense sacrifice.
/ Well, well, tears cannot always last
and very soon the May family were brigh
and smiling again, Joseph the happieSt 0
all. And when the Christmas dinner wa
set on, and all the friends We're gathere,
about it, they made a place for Joe anon:
E the children and Mother May could no
heap his plate enough with good things
and the poor lad felt as if he was NOR
, ready to cry than TO laugh at all tn
!, kindly words which every one had for him
Oh what blessing there is often in
. few kind words.