Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-12-09

of mine happened. We were rich folks, but
! had lost my father, and was not always as
obedient To my mother as | should have
been. Our new cottage was very pleasant,
and was very happy there but one Of my
greatest pleasures caused my mother so much
anxiety that she finally forbade my enjoying
it. was fond, Harry, of going 10 the river,
getting into row-boat fastened there, and
rocking up and down on the water When
the man mother employed TO care for the
horses had time 10 row me out upon the
river mother allowed me to 90 with him, but
she strictly forbade my getting into the boat
alone. Being, as | have told YOU, naughty
boy about mindng, | still went to the river
whenever | could escape from home, and
would spend hours rocking in the little row.
boat until would be missed, discovered and
brought home
"One evening. Just before bedtime,
slipped away from the parlor, where mother
had company and ran down to the boat. !
remember had on very thin linen suit
for the day had been hot--and no hat.
found the boat in its usual place, tied to
stump and climbed in, wetting my feet
through pair Of thin kid slippers Nobody
missed me, for the moon rose while rocked
up and down and at last fell asleep. When
| awoke, cold aud shiyering, ! sat up IN the
boat, rubbed my eyes and then gave great
cry ol terror for the boat, instead oi oelng
tied last to the shore, was fioating down the
rver not very last but already IN a strange
and unfamiliar place. The moonlight made
everything around me as plain as If IT were
daytime and was all alone on the water
drifting out 70 sea.
"When had slipped out of the drawing
room had kissed my mother goodnight, SO
she thought was quietly sleeping IN my
niue bed, instead oil drifting alone III ~
tie, open boat, FAR out upon the water ne
current was strong, ana ! went on ana on
past Ooney Island past kockaway' out iui,
ther and further from home, mother and
safety
was hut seven years old' ana had no
thonght OF help coming TO me- seemed 10
know That II any OF the great steamers had
so often watched were to pass they Would
easily ride over my lttle boat ana SINK II
WIN me crled bitterly even $1,000 up
IN the boat, waving my handkerchief ana
shouting but there was no one 10 near me
was sunerlng' TOO from the emu nlght ar
which was ike an iced bath through my thin
clothes MY ieet were nuinn, my hahds
aching, and shivered as ! tired to get some
warmth by buitoning my little Jacket around
''''
" 1t was after midnight ! knew later and
was sobblng in my boat when | thought
of saying my prayers God l thought
would not help naughty, disobedlent boy
who had brought ms trouble upon himself
by doing what he had been forbidden TO doi
but If was drowned wanted to pray TO
say ! was sorry, very sorry had been SO
bad. 80 knelt down and sald the Lord
Prayer FIRST, and then prayed 10 be saved
] prayed with all my childish heart God
would send some one out on the water to
take me back to my mother Never would
] disobey her again II only might he saved
from drowning.
:" was crouched on my knees III the Dot
tom of the boat, my face hidden on the seat
crying, praying shlvering. when heard
great shout
". Robert Robert y
81 tried TO answer but my sobs choked
me. stood up and could see far behind
me, but coming closer and closer boat
rowed 10y two men, and IN II lady Nheh
stood up there was great shout from the
boat -
"' here he Is. mere is your poyi ma am.