Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-06-20
For the Vermont Waterman
Almost Persuaded-.-A Story for Boys.
ny MRS. /. A. EASTMAN.

ments from some white wood, and with in
slant obedience he carefully gathered them
into basket at his feet, and rising, carried it
to a closet; then passing quickly to his moth
er's side he placed his arm around her neck
and imprinted warm, loving kiss upon her
1ips. She returned the kiss as she gazed
proudly at him, the love light shining clear
and bright in her soft blue eyes.
"Wrap up warm, my son" she said, as she
drew his comforter closer around his neck.
al shall be warm, never fear for me, lit
tie mother" he answered, as he gave her
another kiss.
ado not go upon the pond to-day, for the
ice is hardly strong enough yet" she added,
as he turned to go.
"All right, mother DEAR" he called back,
cheerily as he closed the door behind him,
shutting out the cold, frosty air.
Mrs. French had been widow for four |
years. She had been reared in luxury, with |
every wish granted almost before it was
known. When she married her husband was
engaged in prosperous business. Her
married life had been one of happiness, sad |
dened only by the loss of the little ones with
which her life had been blessed, as one af
ter another they had dropped and died, un
til FIVE little tombstones cleaned white and
clear in the church-yard just over the hill,
and Ray was the only one left to gladden.
their home with his presence; and with low
ing care they sought to shield him from ILL.,
A year of commercial panic swept over
the land, and Mr.. French failed in business.
Men who owed him large sums were unable
to pay him, and as he could not collect the
money, of course he could not pay his own
debts, and he was obliged to give up his
business and become a bankrupt.
He worked day and night trying to over
come his difficulties, but anxiety and over
work soon Frustrated him, and he was sick
with brain fever from which he never rallied
and two weeks later another tombstone
shone white and cold in the little church.
ward. and the mother and son were alone
and penniless. She was not strong, and she
soon found it impossible to earn her living
in the city, and so they returned to the
home of her girlhood.
1t was small country town, and hiring
few rooms she took in work of all kinds
to gain an honest living. She would not
accept charity while she was able to work,
and the friends who had known her in her
more prosperous days furnished her with all
she could do, and Ray having learned to
carve nicely in wood, added many little
comfort TO their scanty living.
After leaving the house he stepped quickly
along, his feet crun ching the frozen snow,
and the clear frosty air tinging his cheeks
with a crimson glow, while he whistled
merry tune. His way led directly past the
pond long, glittering stretch of ice spark
ling clear as crystal in the morning sun
shine. A group of boys were gathered at
the edge, and curious medley of sounds
met his ear as he neared them.
"There's Ray" "Good;" "Come, Ray
we are waiting" "Come on, Ray" were
some of the many greetings. "Come, you
start first. We will wait for you," said one
of the oldest of the boys.
"But, boys, l can't go on the ice this morn
ing" he said, gravely.
"Why not; o why not ?" was the cry
echoed from all sides.
"Because my mother said she was afraid
that the ice was not strong enough an
swered Ray, bravely but sadly, for his desire
to go was strong.
80 bother |" cried boy of about his own
age; eve know it is strong enough. Just
look here" and, fastening on his skates he
| darted like bird out upon the clear ice.
Swifter, faster, went the tireless feet-turn-
ing, curving whirling until he reached the
opposite shore then turning, he shot forth,
| like an arrow from bow, in one straight,
| unbroken line, until he reached the place
though the ice was not strong 2" he cried,
pointing to the small, thread-like lines upon
the ice, while his eyes sparkled with the ex-
ercise and excitement "Come, Ray, don't
be ninny, but come along" he added.
"Yes, Ray, do come, for the ice will GER
iainly BEAR" echoed the Others.
| 1t was a bitter struggle, and, if he had but
known it, the turning point in his young life,
for he was almost persuaded to go with
them. Before him, Turing him on, was the
pond clear and bright and dazzling, and the
sound of the eager voices begging him to go
with them. Behind him was the memory
of the small dark kitchen within which his
loving patient mother was working for his
daily bread He had never deceived her in
his life, and knew that she placed the most
unbounded confidence in his word. Could he
deceive her now ."No thousand times
| no." he cried, as he turned from the group
of waiting boys and ran quickly towards
the schoolhouse.
1t was hard day for him The master
was cross and the lessons went wrong, and
he was scolded when he had really done
his best.
In the afternoon two or three of the bows
came struggling in with white, scared faces
and trembling limbs. At recess he learned
that the ice had broken through, and two
of his schoolmates who in the morning had
been full of robust life and health were now
cold in death. They had been drowned /;
and in all his after life he thanked God that
he had given him strength to resist tempta.
ton when he had been almost persuaded +"
to do wrong.
|