National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-14

to Grass Lake her ewes twinkled and spar
kled with some hidden mischief, while sh'
persistently refused to give Charley hi
answer then, telling him il was time
enough when they were riding home.
Grass Lake lay down between the hill
in "A little basin, whose gravelly bottom
could be plainly discerned through til,
clear, cold water. The hills were covered
with forests, giving delightful shade for
pleasure parties, and frequent excursions,
were made TO the lake during the summer
season. At the spot where our party
stopped was farm house, whose inmates,
in addition TO their regular farm business,
kept to let to pleasure parties, a number
Of boats. Some Of these boats were well
made, finely painted, and in good repair,
the water came, when they were launched
as il would through sieve These boats,
therefore, were never used, and lay upon
the shore, drying and shrinking in the sun.
Below the farm house, not more than hall
dozen rods, was the outlet Of the lake,
and short distance below its mouth was
a mill dam, over which the water poured
with considerable force. In fact there was
quite a stiff current from the lake into the
outlet, which increased in force and rapid
ity, @ the dam was approached.
The picnic party having reached the
grove below the farmhouse, spread their
the trees for that purpose, and quickly
disposed Of il, after which the young peo-
PIE went in search OF further pleasure.
These were to b, found in boating,
croquet, and walks upon the beach, the
latter being the tavorite amusement of GER
tain love-stricken couples. Jenny found
herself, shortly, the central attraction Of
group Of girls as gay and as full OF mischief
as herself, around whom fiuttered q half
dozen young fellows, including Charley
Niles, Philip Warrington and George Wat
kim, Charley had not vet got an answer
to his proposal, and was therefore restless
and impatient George had been seeking
all day for an opportunity to lay at Jenny's
thirty or forty law books and small
wardrobe an event Jenny had success
fully postponed. to his great sorrow and
vexation, Philip only seemed at ease
with himsef-but it was the ease OF
despair, only. In his heart the flame OF
love burned iiercely enough but having
imagined that there was no nope for him,
he kept il smothered, and endeavorcd to
quench it entirely. Still it was some com
fort to be near her, to catch glance of her
eyes, to see the rich color mounting her
cheeks, TO hear her musical voice and /
laugh, though he knew the danger and
folly of such qualification of his fec lings.
While they were vet talking and laugh
ing, Jenny spied boat on the shore, and
with cry of delight, she ran and pushed
il into the water, and sprang into it. with
the agility of deer, saying to herself as
she did so: {" Now I'll see which one loves
me the best"
Jenny seized an old pair of oars and com
rowing vigorously, while her com
panions on the shore laughed and called to
her She answered with defiant shout,
and continued rowing. Suddenly the
friends of the daring girl were stricken
with terror as they saw the boat strike
the swift current setting toward the dam,
md go rapidly down toward the roaring
food They shouted to her to row out Of
he current, and Charley sank down on
he grass and commenced to groan piteous
Y. In the meantime George Watkins,
'unning distractedly up and down the
hore, was shouting for boat "Would
somebody bring boat ?"
ooh! jump in George, do jump in and
win to her! She will be drowned, ]
,now she will !" cried thoroughly fright {
ned and weeping girls but George re-
,lied I
alt is so far; never can swim SO far. ,
md get back alive Oh, what shall |
10 y
Save me save mem shrieked Jenny,
er face turned appealingly toward the .
certified group on the shore, and the latter
aw the boat slowly sinking Jenny had |
lot noticed the dilapidated state of the
'oat until it had got well into the swift ,
urrent, when she saw suddenly that it
vas rapidly filling with water. This was |
What made her scream, and she followed |
t up by shouting again, I" The boat is t
mixing Save me save me!
Charley only groaned the more, and
licked about as if he had first class at {
ack of the collie, while George rushed {
round frantically calling for boat, but {
Utterly refusing to plunge into the lake {
nd swim to the rescue.
Just then figure which was instantly
ecognized as that of Philip Warrington,
vas seen rushing down the shore, keeping
,ace with the fast retreating boat, at the ,,
ame time throwing aside hat, coat, vest,
very superfuous article of apparel. When !
opposite the boat Philip stopped and drew
fl his boots, and then plunged into the
water and swan toward the now almost
anting girl ,
Those upon the shore watched the mans
teady progress with breathless interest, -,
nd Jenny, frightened and faint as she was, i,
plt little throb in her heart as she recog ,
zed Philips face in the water.
With regular, steady strokes he went ,
N, at each sweep of his powerful arms his !
ody rising half out of the water, and the
watchers upon the shore never spoke, nor I
ook their eyes off him. After what SEEM I
d an age to the spectators of the scene, |
philips hand was upon the boat, and I
emmy, murmuring,. !" dear Philip" sank in c
0 his arms insensible. The next instant
he boat lurched, quivered, and sank be- =
cath the waters, but the circ'ing waves r
yer reaching ont farther and farther, still n
liled to reach the steady swimmer, who, a
18th perhaps feebler stroke, yet brave
cart, was bearing his insensible burden to
he shore. I
But he reached it at last, and deposited $
is burden at the feet Of the waiting C
lends he, too sank upon the shore, ex- a
austed and insensble. However. the h
ind woman in the farm-h house soon had h
9th sufferers restored and clad in dry gar a
tents, and as their friends withdrew from f,
m. room where the two sat hernre hla- [,