The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-05-04

seorued fhe broken auA heavy ears, b.
finally 81 came drilling on, blindly Al
dizaily 20 ihe otjeci uf her Fesrch.
plump band, win giiiiering rirg uPo
il, ciuiehed the edge q the boat, nearl
upsctting il, A youre eager hoe, wit
streaming hair looked UP irom The wa
er, and gSsping, sbuddering, half drown
ed, and wholly scared, the yonpg water
nymph was presently sboari OF The Oh
craft.
Z Oh how frightened ! was, she cried
! felt sure was losing all my strength
snd would go to the bottom. Oh, yol
coed you dear soul hew ever did you
get out to me IN this old wster.loggt,
erafiY
Il has seen its best days, certain, sal,
the widow, iugging at the oars.
You don't look sbe for such work
said the girl
hare seen better days, was The quie
answer.
And tben--oh, sufficient reward Of 81
her efforts this real lady, this young
girl with the sofl hands and the pretty
bathing dress, actually replied, thought
so.
Here, give me an oar, she added, stllI
painting But, my dear soul, wen never
be able to row down to that point, where
left my clothes. | can't walk TO the
hotel; Pm awfully tired. Can't you put
me ashore at your place, and send word
for me down yonder?
The little dark cabin on the shore
frightened up with an unwonted luster
as the window sheltered her young
charge, and changed her wet garments
for some OF her own.
If my Tom would only come, I'd send
him for your things,
Oh, no matter? III wrap your shawl
about me and walk down myself after
I've rested bit. Pm not hurt, you
know, only scared. Dear me, how | was
scared My old nurse used TO teach me
not to scream; but II hadn't screamed,
where should | have been now, | won
der2
Mrs. Minton would gladly have parted
with the last shred she possessed, and
gone shivering the rest Of her days, to
see her worn ont gown donned so hand
somely by the bright lassie.
They have seen better days, the clothes
miss, and III not deny that they've been
In geod company in their time; but
they're not fit for lady now
Her companion laughed, pretty, mis-.
chieyous laugh. She read the weakness
OF her rescuer, and treated il very tender
ly.
Whatever a lady has worn is fit for a
lady to wear, she said, and forthwith
wrapped herself, smiling, in the old gray
shawl.
And at that moment Tom, with bis red
shirt cleaning 10 the setting sun, and a
string of fish on his shoulder, stood In
the doorway.
He stopped when he saw the guest
standing upon the hearthstone, bright
fire behind her, aud the kettle boiling
cheerily. She nodded TO him familarly.
Tom thought he must be dreaming.
Tom and are acquainted, said She
Are you? responded the astonished
widow.
Yes, said the girl, I've watched Tom
many time walking along the shore
with his red shirt, and once he took me
and father out rowing. Tom, your moth
or saved my life.
Saved your lifel echoed Tom, who
never in bis life had heard of bis mothers
doing anything before.
Tom, stupid and staring, was hurried
off In search of the missing garments
Aud meanwhile his mother betook her
self to make cup of lea for her protege.
1t was wonderful how little warmth Of
human feeling bad reused this woman TO
life aud activity again,
When Tom returned, laden with vari-
1us articles of apparel, the two were
quietly slipping their tea together at the
Did round table.
lie did not return alone, however,
him came tall gray -hesded
gentleman.
Here's father! cried the girl, spriBgng
Oh, father, this good lady has
'aved my life!
LADY, The widow Minton wanted to
Kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pro-
bounced these words,
Well, my dear, said the old gentleman,
yood-humoredly pinching the plump
sheek, she has done it very thoroughly.
You certainly don't look very nesr death
ust now.
Whereat the story, with due enlarge
nent and variation, was told him with a
pretty pout.
The father smiled, but also be fnrtively
wiped away tear
Wen, madam, said he conrteously, &C
sept my cordial thanks for looking after
my little madcap Belle. She's my only
,hild, you see, and as full Of pranks as
my dozen.
Belle playfully pat her hand over bis
mouth. won't have my character ira.
iueed where they've been so good to me,
he cried And oh, father, isn't this
place-sueh view OF the wat.
nj | mean 70 come down here every