Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-04-26

time last vacation. They were going to
camp out on the summit Of high noun
tain, where there was a stream to fish in and
plenty of game to shoot They were not
little boys any more Fred was fifteen, Jim
sixteen, George seventeen, and Tom fifteen.
Quite able TO take care of themselves, they
were sure. So they started off with their
tent and everything else they could need
packed in an old grocery wagon, drawn by
one of Fred's fathers old horses. They
were going to stay two weeks, and four hap
pier, more important young men could not
have been met with. Packed away in Fred's
private bag was his Bible. He did not know
1t, however, for his mother had packed the
bag, and put it in with a loving little note,
telling him not to be ashamed TO confess Je-
sus before these boys, and she had prayed
that his strength fail not. Every day since
Fred could read he had read chapter in the
Holy Book; but he had always been at
home in his own private room, with no
temptation to be ashamed of doing it, So,
unconscious of the prayers that followed
him, and of the little Bible in his valise, he
travelled merrily on.
1t was an old horse and heavy load, SO
but one boy rode at time, while the Others
walked by the wagon. 1t was a slow jour.
ney, but the boys were so full of plans, and
had so much to discuss that they scarcely
needed it, and had no thought Of being
tired. After all they were only going ten
miles, and what stout boy can't walk that in
a day? They lunched several times by the
wayside however, and as they made hearty
meal each time they decided at length that
their provisions would be gone before they
shot the birds and caught the fish. So they
tasted after that until they came to the camp
ground but then, to prepare themselves for
the work of erecting the tent, they had what
they called "square meal"
They were tired that night, and decided
to go to bed early. AS the darkness gath.
cred around, and the shadows of the wood
settled down, they sat outside the tent door
talking about what they we're not afraid Of.
"You couldn't brighten me-" Fred boosted
"Pm not afraid to do anything
al could put you in place where your
hair would stand on an end" cried Tom
Hall. al don't believe you'd dare to walk
through those woods alone at night"
"Try me-"
"Go do it now" said George.
al would if | wasn't so tired" said Fred
"You're trying TO get out of it," said
Tom.
Gam ?" Fred cried. "Here goes" and
he started off on brisk run and was soon
lost sight of, though they heard his steps on
the underwood of the forest.
al didn't believe he would do it," said
Tom.
al wouldn't like TO unless it was neces-
sary," said Jim.
"Nothing to be frightened at" said
George" boastfully, with no intention of do
ing it.
Erred came running back, quite elated
with his own bravery.
"Dare me again" he said.
"Tisn't every one who would do that
said Jim, admiringly.
al am not afraid of anything, tell you,
cried Fred "You go now, George"
It's too late" rising. "Let's turn in, ,
and as they were all tired they "turned in, ;
without urging the adventure upon George
"Let's get light and see what's in oui
valises," said Tom. "Mother packed ours.
"Mother packed mine,' said Fred.
Jim said nothing he was motherless and
had packed his own.
The contents of the hall valises were soon
on the floor; there was no Bible there.
"Hurrah letter |" cried Fred, joyously
and eagerly began to read it. But some
how the light faded from his face as he
read; how could he bring out the Bible be
fore all these fellows they would make fun
of it no doubt, and it would be "castine
pearls before swine" His mother should
have thought of that she surely wouldn't
want the Bible made fun Of 1; she would
never have written what she did if she knew
boys as he did. He would read alone by
himself tomorrow, which would be much
more devotional, he said to himself, while
he knew he meant cowardly, and that he
was ashamed to confess Christ before men
He put the note into his pocket, making ur
his mind to say his prayers when the light
was out.
The Hall boys had begun to disrobe, but
Jim, who had been quietly unpacking his
valise, took book from it and sat down by
the light. And Fred saw it was Bible
and saw the Hall boys did notImake fun of it
"That amt bad idea,' cried Tom
"We'll need Bible out here, If we're to bt
taken care Of"
al don't see why mother didn't put ONT
in for u.s." said George. al say, jim, couldn't
you read bit aloud? That is, if Fred
don't mind"
Fred managed to say hoarsely that he
would not, but he never felt so bad in al
MS lie DtlOIti lHbJtdu VI COlltSSluB OuTlSl
these boys surely thought he was very fal
from being one OF his disciples. He scarcely
heard one word Jim read. Afterwards Jim
knelt to pray in silence, and to Fred's aston
ishment the Hall boys did too.
"Promised my mother once ! would,
George said as if to apologize, when he got
up, sand I'm going to keep my promise
but if il hadn't been for Jim starting the
thing, I'm mighty afraid | should have
backed, or did it in the dark for fear you'd
laugh at me. jim, you saved the camp"
Fred still said nothing; he had boosted
that there was nothing he was afraid to do
and he had been afraid to confess Christ.
g don't know how you dared to go int
those woods last night" Jim said the next
morning when they were alone.
al don't know how you dared TO bring Out
your Bible and read it when you didn't know
what the boys would do. have one in my
valise and didn't dare TO-" After thai
confession he felt better, and he had prayed
to be forgiven, and intended to bring out
the book that night.
But whose bravery was the best, Jims OF