Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-01-23
A Mothers Boy.
g NIotller!'

Mother"
The loud, boyish voice rang through the
quiet house. he mother, sewing in her
sunny chamber, heard but did not answer
she knew by long experience that the call
was only courier sent on in advance to
announce the coming Of him whose feet
were even then bounding up the stairs,
and who burst into the room with all the
noise it is possible for an active boy of
fourteen to make in that simple act.
Mother, Uncle Charlie is going blue
fishing, and wants ne to go with him
may l?"
Her eyes rested upon him Il moment
before she gave consent. He was 1.-THE
only son of his mother, and size, was Il
widow" His father, and several others of
his kindred, lay beneath the waves. Per-
haps she thought of them rs she gazcd so
fondy upon his face, glowing with health
and animation, But he had spent half of
his summer life in and upon the water
she did not think of refusing his request
only added to her consent IL hope that he
would be careful.
Oh, mother! there isn't bit of danger
with such sailor us Uncle Charlie; be-
sides if | do get tipped over, | can swim
ashore; why, could swim from here to
the Neck!n
| should not want you to try such IL
swim us that, Frankly"
Frank turned to 90, but paused, perhaps
the mother-look drew him back; he stole
shyly to the back of her chair, and leaning
over her, kissed her forehead hurredly,
and then ran away. The unusual caress
warmed her heart, and the thought of it
was comfort to him before the day was
over
Capt. Charlie WAS waiting, and they
started briskly for their walk of u mile to
the shore. The Captain WAS II young man
still but II sunstroke received while on
duty in II hot climate, had disabled him
from active service, and indeed from pro-
lOnged or violent OXcrtion of any kind.
Frank liked nothing better than to be with
him, he had so many stories to tell of for
cign countries and hair-breadth escapes at
sea-; besides he could tell him stories of
! his father-hiS brave, noble lather-of
whom his mother could not speak without
tears. Frank had seen very little of his
father. He could remember few brief
visits, when he had come like Il good prov
idcnce with wonderful gifts, and the few
weeks of his stay had been one joyful
holiday time, with visits and merry. max
ings, the little boy always at his father S
side, TO get acquainted" the Captain
said. Then-had come the parting, and then
counting up of months, and weeks, and
days, until his return. Alas the last
reckoning had ended in the bitterness of
despair.
But sorrow, thank God cannot stay
long with the young, and Frank, walking
by his uncle's side, with many II skip and
bound of oyertlowing life, was as happy
rs could he. Before reaching the shore
they saw u man with lines, apparently
bent upon the same errand rs themselves.
rhey recognized him US Josiah Smith, II
man of many occupations beside that of IL
fisherman.
" Going blue fishing, S?' said the Cap
tain, ms they overlook him.
Ya.as, eff can find II boat; it s II good
| day fort" drawlrd shifless 81.
Capt. Charlie thought of Tho wife and
two little children to be supported by his
uncertain earnings. and good naturedly
offered him II place in his boat, which was
accepted, and they were soon off and
ready for business.
Boys, did you ever 90 blue lishingp If
so, you would have said there could not be
a finer day Tor the sport than that which
Frank and his uncle had taken. 1t was a
cool day in early autumn; the sky was
deeply blue, the sun often obscured by fly
ing clouds, and the northwest wind blow
ing briskly. On such IL day step into your
boat. give all the sail she will carry let
out your lines astern, then, us the boat
bounds along, the greedy fish jump at the
bait, and you have nothing to do but to
take them in rs fast rs you please; is not
this better than to float lcisurely about,
hour after hour, in the common way of
fishing?
The sport proved to be all that the day
had promised Back and forth through
the bay the boat llew-lhe fish shoaIed
behind; the fishers had all they could do
to attend to the lines, and did not notice
that the clouds become darker and more
threatening, until u gust of wind tipped
the boat over so much that the water pour
ed in over her side.
eve must haul in sail ~ cried the cap
tain, springing up and shouting out orders
to FRANK, who was unlocking II fish, and
the slow-moving Siah.
Too late Another and stronger gust
completely capsized the boat, and her
three late occupants struggled in the wa
ter. OF course they could swim-no boy
nor man in the little cea coast town of
Dunkirk could not and they made for the
boat which floated keel up and supported
themselves as we'll rs then could upon the
slippery bottom. The next thing to do was
to take review of the situation, and de-
termine what was best to be done. They
were in the channel. distant about three
quarters of mile from the main shore,
and somewhat nearer the "Neck" Ga long,
sandy cape, inclosing the bay upon the
northern side). The water was intensely
cold, and so was the wind, as it blew upon
them, wet to the skin. No other boat was
out-their only hope seemed to be that
some one might see them from the shore
and come to their rescue. But how long
would this faint hope sustain themP How
long could they keep their hold with this
icy nnmbness coming over them?
They wailed-at first full of impossible
plans for escape, then silent. Who can
tell what thoughts came to their minds in
those fearful minutes Did not the Cap.
! tain think of his brothers, yes, and his