Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-23
4 Mothers Boy.

4 Mothers Boy.
"Mother!"
The loud, boyish voice rang through the
quiet house. The 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.
"Mothcr, Uncle Charlie is going blue
fishing, and wants ne to 60 with him; f.;
may I?"
Her eyes rested upon him moment
before she gave consent He was the
only son of his mother, and she was Il
widow His father, and several others of
his kindred, lay beneath the waves. Per-
haps she thought of them as she gazed so
londly 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 hope that he
would be careful.
"Oh, mother! there isn't n bit of danger
with such II sailor rs Uncle Charlie; be-
sides if do get tipped over, can swim
ashore; why, could swim from here to
the Neck"
81 should not want you to try such II
swim us that, Frankly"
Frank turned to 90, but paused, perhaps
the mother-look drew him back; he stole
shylv to the back of her chair, and leaning
over her, kissed her forehead hurriedly,
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 brskly for their walk of II mile to
the shore The Captain was Il 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 cXertion of any kind
Frank liked nothing better than to be with
him, he had so many stories to tell OF Tor
eign countries and hair-breadth escapes at
sea-; besides he could tell him stories o
his ftther-hs brave, noble father-o
whom his mother could not speak withou
tears. Frank had seen very little OF hr
father. lie could remember IL few brie
visits, when he had come like Il good prov
Iidcnce with wonderful gifts, and the few
weeks of his stay had been one loyiu
holiday time. with visits and merry max
lnys, the little boy always at his father
side, to get acquainted the Captain
said. Then had come the parting, and thei
counting up Of months. and weeks, an'
DAYS. until his return. Alas! the las
reckoning had ended in the bitterness .
despair.
But sorrow, thank God! cannot sta,
long with the young, and Frank, walkin!
by his unclcs side, with many skip AM
bound of overhowing life, was rs happ,
rs could he. Before reaching the shore
they saw n man with lines. apparent
bent upon the same errand us themselves
They recognized him rs Josiah Smith,
man of many occupations beside that OF
fisherman.
" Going blue fishing, Si?' said the Cap
tain, rs they overlook him.
"Ya-;ts, ef can find II boat; it S II goo
day fort" drawlrd shflless 81.
Capt. Charlie thought of the wife anC
two little children to be supported by hi
uncertain earnings, and good naturedl,
offered him II place in his boat, which WA
= accepted, and they were soon off an'
ready for business.
Boys, did you ever 90 blue fishing?
so. YOU would have said there could not b
finer day Tor the sport than that whicl
| Frank and his uncle had taken. 1t was
r cool day in early autumn; the sky wa
deeply blue, the sun often obscured by fly
+ ing clouds, and the northwest wind blow
S inc brskly. On such II day step into you
t boat. give all the sail she will carry, le
| out your lines aStern, then, rs the boa
bounds along, the greedy fish jump ut tn
e bait, and you have nothing 10 do but t
4 take them in us fast rs you please; is nc
this better than to float leisurely abou
hour after hour, in the common way
4 fishing?
S The sport proved to be all that the da
had promised. Back and forth throug
!. the bay the boat llew-thc fish shoale
:. behind; the fishers had all they could Il
D to attend to the lines. and did not motto
t that the clouds become darker and NOR
y threatening, until gust of wind tippe
3 the boat over so much tGat the water poul
; ed in over her side.
/, 1--WE must haul in sail" cried the cal
+ tain, springing up and shouting out order
,, to Frank, who was unlocking II fish, IN
d the slow-moving 'Siah.
Y Too late! Another and II stronger gu,
i completely capsized the boat, and h,
c three late occupants struggled in the WI
0 ter. OF course they could swim-no DO
|, nor man in the little cea. coast town
It Dunkirk could not and they made for ii
i boat which floated keel up and supportC
d themselves as well us then could upon Il
slippery bottom. The next thing to do W;
Y to take review of the situation, and d,
|, termne what was best to be done. The
d were in the channel, distant about thrt
r quarters of mile from the main shor
1t and somewhat nearer the "Neck" (a lon,
k sandy cape, inclosing the bay upon Il
it northern side). The water was intense
,r cold, and so was the wind, as it blew upc
ID them, wet to the skin, No other boat WI
1t out-their only hope seemed to be tn
II some one might see them from the sho
" and come to their rescue. But how lor
would this faint hope sustain themp He
De long could they keep their hold with I'll
~ icy nunbness coming over themp
O. They waited-at first full of impossf
d, plans for escape, then silent. Who C,
|; tell what thoughts came to their minds
no those fearful minutes Did not the Ca
tain think of bis brothers, yes, and