Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-05
/ Dare You.

" GoOh cOulu do II easily, and be
back here again, before you could count
dfty."
May be so but you don't dare to try
IL :"
Don't dare Now, Tom, you know
better
Well | dare you"
The boys eyes flashed. In a moment
he was over the boundary line, skating
skilliully over the forbidden ice while
his schoomates looked on, some With fear,
and a few With shouts Of applause. Clear to
the other side he went, though the ice
cracked aud bent then, with a look Of
pride on his glowing face and the praises
Of the other boys already sounded on his
ear
Good for you, VIM
" Hurrah for -"
Who Where was he +? Where the
proud form and the smiling face, and the
dark hair uncovered 10 the moment of ex-
utation Gone hidden at once from their
sight under the ice, and the waters rose up
over the spot, as if their time Of triumph
had come then.
Oh, what shall we dor
Run quick get rope !"
% S'~"a hack every Vue or you -. ana
the voice, generally so kind, frightened
them now with it, sternness; and they
looked in silence It the teachers white
face, as be threw of his gown, and crept
with it to the boundary line which be had
marked for the boys that morning Over
that too, SO carefully, yet SO quickly; and
the ice cracked cracked And the boys
could none of them tell how it was doue,
only that soon the dark, dripping hair of
their schoolmate appeared above the bro
ken ices then his body slowly, slowly
dragged towards them, his hand cutching
tightly the teachers dressing-gown.
The teacher did not speak, and they
dared not. In the teachers own strouq
arms, Winthrop was carried to the house
and rubbed; and, no, he was not dead for
il few minutes be opened his eyes, and
looking at the group Of anxious, boyish
faces gatbtre rourl, be said; All right"
How 1t Frightened every heart there The
boys could speak now.
"Oh, Win, hdeeRt counted ffiv yet !"
burst out Tom, excitedy, and trying to
laugh but if he had not been a boy, he
would certainly have cried instead.
" Now let me hear all about it, said the
teacher calmly as the color came back into
Winthrop's cheeks.
lit is all my fault" said Tom humbly.
How came you to disobey my rule,
Winthrop, and go beyond the boundary 2'
Why, hardly thought about the rule,
sir-l wanted to let them see | was not
afraid of the ice They dared me to do
it--and when any one dares me to do thing
"
Winthrop stopped suddenly, as the rccol-
lection came over him Of the cold gureling
waters, and of those few terrible moments
of suspense.
"Then you always dare to do its that
what you mean 2''.''
+" Yes, sir !" but the voice was not as full
Of confidence as it had been half an hour
before.
"ALd the end of your daring, this time,
might have been-death %
A shudder crept over the boys heart.
" Oh, sir, please don't! dared him !"
said poor Tom.
"And so you think boy is coward
who is dared to do thing, and doesn't do
it?"
" 1t looks so," answered Winthrop.
" All, my boy, you must get rid Of that
idea; it is all wrong. He who refuses to
do sinful or dangerous thing, even when
people say, dare you,' is true hero
and he VINO runs all risk to do something,
just because he is dared, is by far the most
cowsrdly and foolish. Don't look SO down
hearted, Winthrop. want you to be
truly heroic, and | know you eau do things
very bravely sometimes. For instance. il
| should say you may not 60 skating
another day during this season, you would
bear the punishment without complaint, |
think"
4" Yes sir" answered the boy, with
touch OF the old pride in his voice.
" Mayn't | bear the punishment? IL
was my fault" exclaimed Tom.
81 haven't given any punishment yet,
Tom; | have only given this lesson about
true bravery for you all to learn. Aud
now, be off, every one of you, and let
Winthrop rest, willie | 60 to examine my
dressing gown; and if it is entirely ruined,
III pass subscription round among you
to get new one," And the kind man
smiled as he left them, but his heart was
full and he went to thank God for the
safety Of bis pupil, aud to pray that he
might become truly brave and noble.
Boys, never he dared into doing what Is
wrong. Do not take one step aside from
the safe and straight path, no matter how
many voices say Il dare you," to every
temptation. And always;
Dare todo right dare to be true
All the worlas scornng eau never harm you.
Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith
stand liAs hero, and battle till death"