Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-12-17

hue and kind They had enjoyed them.
selves like boys and girls aud like nothing
else for that full, hearty capacity for en-.
joyment is one Of the things which youth
takes away when it goes "with flying feet, "
and which never come again"
They made dinner last as long as they
could, and then they scattered here and
there, some Of them swinging in hammocks,
aud group standing on the bridge few
rods above The falls, and playing at fishing
Among the latter we're Dick Osgood aud
bis sister Guy Morgan was little dis
tance away With one of the teachers, pull.
ing to pieces a curious flower and talking
botany. Suddenly a wild, wild cry rose
above the sultry stiffness Of the summer az
ternoon and the bum Of quiet voices round
Dick Osgood's cry "She's in, boys!
llottys in the river, and can't swim. Oh
save her save her viii no one try p"
Before the words were out his lips. they
all saw Guy Morgan coming With flying
feet-a race for life. lie unbuttonod coat
and vest as he ran, and cast them off as he
neared The bridge. He kicked of his
shoes, and threw himself over. They heard
him strike the water. lie went under, rose
again, and then struck out toward the
golden head, which rose Just then for the
second time. Every one who stood there
lived moments which seemed bours.
The boys and Mr.. Sharp, the teacher with
whom Guy had been talking, got a strong
rope, and running down the stream, threw
it our on the water just above the falls,
where Guy could reach it If he could get 80
near the shore-Jl
The water was very deep where Hetiy
had fallen in, and the river ran fast, fast
It was sweeping the poor child on, and Dick
Osgood threw himself upon the bridge, and
sobbed and screamed like one gone mad.
Waen she rose the third time, she was near
the falls. A moment more and she would
20 over, down on the jagged, cruel rocks
beneath. But that third time Guy Morgan
caught her-caught her by her long, gis-
tening, golden hair. Mr. Sharp shouted to
him. lie saw the rope, and swan toward
it, his strong right arm beating the water
back with hammer-strokes-his left motion
less, holding his white burden.
90 Cod" Mr.. Sharp prayed fervently,
" keep him up, spare his strength a little
longer, a little longer !" A moment more
aud he reached the rope, cung to it des-
peratcly, and boys and teacher drew the
two in over the slippery edge, out Of the
horrible seething waters, and took them ii
I tL.;. .r,.. It'll e;tort r,o,;orIaec NJ
Sharp spoke Guys name, but he did moi
answer. Would either Of them ever an
swer again
Teachers and scholars went to work
alike for their restoration. 1t was well
there was intelligent guidance, or their bes
efforts might have failed. Guy, being tn,
stronger, was the first TO revive.
Is lletty safe 2n was hisanxious question
"Only God knows Mr.. Sharp an
sworcd. We are doing our best"
1t was almost half an hour before prett,
Hctty opened her blue eyes. Meantim
Dick had been utterly frantic and helpless
He had sobbed and groancd and praye,
even, 10 a wild, incomprehensble fashion o
his own, which perhaps the plying Fathe
understood and answered. When be hear,
his sisters voice. be was like one besid
himself with joy, until Mr.. Sharp quiete'
him by few low, firm words, which wer
audible to no one else.
Some of the larger girls arranged one o
the wagons, and getting into it, receive
Hetty in their arms.
Mr.. Sharp drove Guy Morgan home
When he reached his mothers gate Gu
insisted on going in alone. He thought
might alarm her to see some one helpin
him besides, he wanted her & few minute
quite to himself So Mr.. Sharp droy
away, and Guy went in. His mother sa
him coming, and opened the door.
Where have you been ?" she crie
seeing his wet, disordered plight.
In Quassit river, mother, fishing OF
lIetty Osgood."
: Then while she was busying herself wit
E preparations for his comfort, he quietly tol
: his story. His mothers eyes were dim, an
her heart throbbed chokingly.
! Oh, if yoU had been drowned, my bo,
! my darling! she cried, hugging him clos
wet as he was, as if she would hold hi
), back from all danger forever. If | bt
been there, Guy, | couldn't have let u
do it,"
81 went in after the Goals of FIR
!, mother"
Mrs Morgan knew how to laugh wi
g her boy, as we'll as how to cry over hiI
"I'ye heard Of people smart enough to s
: the river on fire, she said, "b but you a
= the first one | ever knew who went in the
y, after the Goals"
The next morning came a delegation
1, the boys, with Dick Osgood at their hea
r. Every one was there who had seen the bic
" . which Dick struck, aud heard his taunts 8
y terward. They came into the sitting ROOT
y and said their say to Guy before his motht
~ Dick was spokesman. " | have come"
= said, to ask you to forgive me. | stru
- you mean, unjustifabe blow. You I
-, ceiyed it with noble contempt To provo
y ~ you into fighting called you a cowar
Z meaning to bring you down by some mea
>. to my own level. You bore that, too, wi
a greatness | was not great enough to u
-. derstand. do understand it now. | ha
y y seen you--all we boys have seen you-fa
y to face with Death, and have seen that y
- weren't afraid of him. You fought wi
~ him, and came of ahead and we all a
come to do honor to the bravest boy
~ :. town and to thank you for life a gre
:, deal dearer and better worth saving tn
m N my own
=" Dick broke down just there, for the tol
n choked him.
=. Guy was as grand in his forgiveness
- - he had been in his forbearance.
u Hetty and her father and mother ca
~ ~ afterwards, and Guy found himself mad
So s hero before he knew it. But none of
~ ~ all moved him as did his mothers few 70
be words, and the pride in her joyful ey
~ He had kept, with honor and with pea
20 his pledge to her, and he had his rewa
aS s The Masters way of peace had not mis-
0d him--One Of Louise Chandler Moalto
I;s bedtime Stories.
~ "Myself win See Me-"
he Dnoo in Snhhat n. .schnol n very Iii