Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-05-28

Walter took up his book, and began look
ing through IL; but he soon broke out
again, Pshaw just as thought; moth
ing but early pety,' early piety.' Why
couldn't she have sent me some story about
wars, or pirates or Indians2 I am tired 10
death of early pletyr"
"You will never trouble your friends
with it, my son." said Mrs. Harrison, who
had just entered the room. Walter started
aud blushed; he did not know that his
mother was so near. But he replied, sui
lenly, 81 wish might not tronble them in
any way, any longer. 1t would be better
for all If we're dead and buried; for I'm
no use in the world, and nobody loves
me-"
After having said these unkind words,
Waiter took his ball-club, and went out on
the village. green, where the boys were al
ready at play. Charlie soon followed not
TO mingle in the sport, for he was not strong
enough for that,-but he loved always to
watch his brother, and always felt proud of
his skill and strength.
After about half an hours play, many of
the boys set out for home, rs a hard storm
seemed coming on. The clouds were roll
ing up thick and black, the lightnings
flashed, and the thunders broke overhead.
Walter Harrison, who had appeared half
angry in all his play, was now leaning
against the side of the church, within
yard or two Of the lightning-rod. The
boys called to him to come away, as he was
in dangerous place but Walter would
not stir. Charlie ran up to him, and beg
ged him to go home but he only sad, "I
don't care if the lightning does strike me.
| Toll you again, I'm no use in the world
nobody loves me. You may run home if
you are afraid"
al am not afraid for myself, brother"
said Charlie, his lip quivering; but will
go home and beg mamma to come for
you"
Charlie had not run half way across the
green, when there came a great blaze of
lightning, aud a heavy crash of thunder,
which seemed to shake the very ground
The boys who were looking toward the
church said that they saw the lightning
roll down the rod like a ball Of fire, and
disappear in the earth; aud that, at the
same instant, Walter fell 10 the ground.
They ran to him a. once, raised him up,
and carried him home. The poor boys
eyes aud mouth were open, but he seemed
quite dead. The doctor was sent for
came Immediately, took Walter from tue
bed, laid him on the floor, and began pour
ing cold water upon him by the buckellul.
Mrs. Harrison had been strangely calm at
first; but when Walter began to show some
little signs of life, the joy was more than
she could bear and she tainted away. She
went from one fuinting tit into another
and when Walter was at last so much re-
stored a. 10 ask for her, she was lying quite
insensible. Then first he knew how deep
ly aud dearly his mother loved him. Lit
tie Charlie threw himself down by Walter
in the wafer, which was flooding the room,
and the brothers kissed one another aud
cried for joy. 1t was many days before
Walter was entirely well; but when he did
get about, everybody noticed great change
in him. He was more kind aud pleasant
and far less jealous and passionate; he was
happier, and made others happier, than ev-
er before. He was so sure now that his
mother truly loved him and he knew, he
said, that he could never again be jealous
| Of his little brother. But, alas Walter did
not know himself. When he was fourteen
and his brother-still called "little Char
| lie"-about twelve, a wealthy uncle came
| from Boston for a brief visit. AS this gen
tleman had no family, it was thought thA
| Walter, who had been named for him
Ln h,s.. Ii, r.. . lfs
very reason, Walter was loo proud to pay
him any court; indeed, he hardly pait
him proper respect and attention, and wal
| generally silent and reserved in his pres
ence. Mr.. Rogers did not understand thii
manner; he thought Walter sullen an,
cold, and, though he could but see that b,
was an honest, intelligent boy, he was no
on the whole, pleased with him. But, lik'
all other visitors, he was quite charmed
with little Charlie; and he had not beeI
long gone from the village, before there ar
rived from Boston beautiful white pony
handsomely saddled and ,brdled, 40
Master Charles Harrison" In letter t
his sister, Mr.. Rogers said: "ThinkinI
that daily ride may benefit my little in
| 'a'i' l'Hyf NhiNh - cP'
spirited and docile. I hope that Charl;
will accept it, with the kind wishes of I'm
Gle Walter"
Both Mrs. Harrison and Charlie wer
panied that no present came for Walter
aud that he was scarcely mentioned in tn
letter while, as for Walter, he felt the oil
jealous feeling boiling up from his hear
hotter than ever, and he said some har
things, which he had better left unsaid.
"Why, brother" said Charlie, "the pom
shall be as much yours as mine; you ma
ride it every day."
"No, won'tw answered Walter, angr
ly; 81 never will mount il as long as liv
| wouldn't be so mean"
But Waller had little call to be envior
of his brother, who was quite too weak
ride his pretty pony. A few rods Onl!
gave him a severe pain in the side,-s
very delicate was poor Charlie.
This spring he seemed far worse tina
usual he did not complain, but he dali
grew weak aud languid, Till finally /
could no longer be about the house.
One afternoon, when he came from schoo
Waller found Charlie sitting up in his be
writing; but he hid his paper and penC
under the pillow, when he saw his brolhe
/ aud hastily wiped away some tears whi'
/ were on his cheek. That very night
= grew much worse ; fever came on, al
he was quite delrous. All night lor
they watched over him with great anxiet
aud during the next day, though he W
more quiet, and slept most of the tim
, When awake, he did not speak much,
seem to recognize any one.
= Just sunset, Walter was sitting in
: own chamber by the window, with his ia