Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-01-25
From the Neic lork Otserrer.
A COASTING PARTY.
BY JOSIE KEEN.

find them anywhere :" exclaimed Willie Dun
bar racing about tie house in such an excited
manner that his sister asked him il he bad Dot
lost his seven senses.
I M. indeed, Sue they are safe about me
somewhere But tell you what, II don't
mean to have fun this New Years day
In what way. Will ?"
"Coas,ing down hl II is just one glare OF
ice after Yesterdays thlwing aud freezing (;
and the new sled Uncle Ell gave me at Christ
mas sbal.take the lead. See if don't come
down with aying colors J!
F. Heels-over head, more likely than not
said George. " 1t takes you to do the boast
ing"
:" And you, George, 10 take tie starch out
of fellow. Never saw any one like you 70
throw cold water upon enthusiasm.
There, BOYS, don't get TO dispuiinS over
triaes, said Mrs. Dunbar, as she entered the
sittire-room with Wills mittens. :" DO Wish
YOU would take care Of your things, VIII, aod
then your enthusiasm might not come amiss
I'm little afraid, though. there Is more eager
ness for fun and frolic in your mind than any
thing more praseworthy.
Should not wonder" replied VIII with a
frank. rosush smI, Bat. mother, dear.
'all work and no play makes Jack dull boy,
you know, 50 I'm of to get bri ibtened mp.
loving kiss to his mother, a saucy pinch
TO one of Susic's ears, and the mcrry-hearted
boy ran off with his sled
George more slowly buttOned mp bis over
coat. carefully adjusted his scarf over his ears
and around his neck. drew on his mitteus, and
then started for the hill TO see If his predic-
uons did not come true. SLOW and deliberate,
nav. rather self, in his acts, ,--Georse olteu
taunted VIII for his impulsive ways hut II
was easy 10 see which was The moAt popular
among the boys.
On reaching their fayorite coasIing place.
VIII and several Of his companions formed 10
line. and at n. given ri rnshed pell-mell
down, each striving ~ be the first to reach The
foot Of The hh!.
"Hurrah George" called out Will,f" don't
stand there for Mr Jack Frost Go nip OF you
nose. Better &c. yourself 10 glow as we
are doing" -,
"Nota biz Of danger tha. any harm will
come TO Mr Self-esteen, said Charlie Drake
Hands Ia his pockets. ears and nose muilied
up. Mr.. Jack Frost will take no Liberties with
him.
Away flew the boys, viii, as he had hoped
coming out with flying colots," aud, with
cap waving in hand, stood shouting 20 the resl
as they came swiftly after him.
"Ealoo youngster what are you sIluuins
at? Some philosoph! In your grin, for you
look as blue and pnchcd with cold as can be
What's your name, old fellow =
"Oh. that's jim Morton. the drunkards
son. Can't expect him 10 lcok anything but
pinched and cold.
Hush. Fred don't speak so. Sec, you
have made the poor little fellow feel badly
Got no sled, eh Just take mine, then, and
let's see how quickly you can come down that
hill. 1t will set the blood to tingliDg, can
tell you"
The ready smile came back to the good ma
tured child, as he exclaimed
"Surely you don't mean 10 tr1st me with
that spank and span new sled ~
Trust you2 To he sure, will but mind
the Flying Dolphin mnst come out ahead II
possible"
"Sure. and I'm the boy to come out all
right. if folks will give me a chance but its
.Ylm. The drunkard's SON. ffom morning I'LL
night. and never a good word like this from
anybody"
A smile and a tear mingled in the child's
eyes as he drew the sled mp hill. One or two
Of the boys. rather ashamed OF themselves az
ter Wills brave, manly act, helped Jim to
place hImselfin liue.-
Don't wonder this sled is called the Fly
Ing Dolphin | can't keep the critier still
minute, the runners are so smooth. Hold on,
there, till the word is given,
jim evidontly,d did nut mean to take advan-
tage OF The other boys, for all they bad been so
taunting to him. Will, at the foot Of the bill,
was watching all their movements.
Pretty fellows we are 10 enroll ourselves
as cadets. said he, and have a smart, bright
chap like that say: Never good word TO
hear from morning till night. Think III
have to see after him.
What can you do, VIII? Now. don. go
of upon one Of your wild impuIoeg. II the
son can't reform the father, what can you do p
Don't talk to me about impulses, George
may be harum-scarum 10 some things, but
see if / don't look after that chap, aud his
father. too. It's about time some OF Us fellows
went to work instead Of talking about our
Division our Meetings, and speechilying to no
purpose.
Will shut bis mouth in firm, resolute way
that meant something at the same time his
hand was thrust into his pocket to see il his
porte monnaie was safe. Ia II was new i've
dollar bill that bis father had given him at
Christmas.
George. to whom the same hal been given,
at once placed ia the savings bank but
viii. with his mind full Of skates, goodies,
games. etc.. bad not yet decided how be would
Law out his money. It still burnt his pocket
but lust now kind thoughts were crowding
themselves into his warm, impusiye heart, or
busy brain. To the meantime jim, at The nod
10 20 on, was having good time coastln9 down
bill. His face was now all 10 a glow, and with
4 hearty Thank you ! have. had up-top
time !" the sled vas handed back.
viii did not forget the good resolutions
formed that New Years day. 4 kind word TO
Jim and Jims father help aud encourage
men, when most needed, aud ere long he had
his reward 10 seeing great changes IN The bone
Of the poor boy >,
Kind words and loving deeds, instead Of
scorn and derisioo, had indeed, accomplished a
noble work. And Wills warm, unselisb i'm
pulses as they became more and more guided
by Christian principles, made their mark AT q
influence in the world upon others. Even as
the bows felt ashamed after bis example te
again taunt poor jim, so 10 after years Will
was looked up % as one 10 carry out any wise,
benevolent or philanthropic scheme.
George, it is true, laid up money and he
came rich. And 10 one sense, as '' be who do
eth well 10 himself was courtcd and referred
10 a. possessing great business faculties, etc,
bu, We doubt II be bad as many real, hsppy