Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-06-30
"THUNDERBOLTS' VICTORY.

There are still few towns in MRssachu-
sets where the railway train is never seen and
where there is no telegraph. An unpainted
farmhouse, big and square, with long barns
and sheds in the rear, stood in such q town.
1t was a day in September, as hot and sultry
as il it were midsummer. A doctors sulky
had just driven up to the gate, and the horse
stood hitched at the post. In the yard, lying
under one of the elms, was a boy of about
thirteen. He was thin and pale, but there
was a bright, resolute look in his eyes that at
tracted one. Fred Appleton had been in
Warnham for a couple of months. He had
been sent out by his uncle, that he might
have the benefit of country air after a long
and prostrating fever. The boys eyes were
fixed on the open door that led into the hall
Everything in the house was ominousy still
Out of doors the chickens were 'craking"
about the yard and making sudden runs at in
sects.
Now low groan from the room at the left
Of the front door made Fred start and grow
pale His hands shut themselves hard with
an involuntary motion. Not another sound
was heard for nearly half an hour, and then
steps approached from within the house and
the doctor came out ON the piazza. He was
followed closely by middle-aged woman.
Neither of them appeared to notice Fred, and
both stopped at the gate.
'DOCIOT, now IL IL hhkeu 0rB MOTIFS IN
a voice that was not steady.
bad very bad" It's case where can
not speak with hope. 1t was an awful fall
from that scaffold. Take care Of her as l
have said it's all that can be done. 1t is
heartbreaking TO hear her call for her father"
The doctor was evidently in a hurry. He
jumped into his carriage and drove away,
leaving Mrs. Morris standing there The wo-
man looked after him moment with unsee-
ing eyes then she wrung her hands violent
ly, while she exclaimed in q low voice: If
Charles had not gone If he could only be
detained !"
Fred Appleton rose, came quietly forward,
and touched the woman's arm.
SIS Clara going to die ?" he asked.
Mrs Morris immediately made an effort to
control herself, and said
~ am afraid so. 1t was bad fall. Oh, it
is very hard !"
"You just spoke about her father. Cannot
word be got TO him before he goes on board
the steamer p the boy asked.
Mrs. Morris trembled. The girl lying in
the house was her niece and about the same
age as Fred. She was the only child of her
brother, Charles Roth, and dear AS an own
daughter to her The father had gone. He
was on his way to Boston, to embark on
board CunArd steamer for Europe. He had
remained in Warnham until the last moment
and had just time to reach the city if nothing
delayed him.
''It can't be done !" Mrs. Morris answered.
1T can't be done The telegraph station is
ten miles away. Before any could get there
Charles will have left, and once on the water
nothing can reach him. God help him The
first news he hears the other side Of the At
lantic will break his heart !"
Fred stood for an instant with his bright
i a. =. d,
Isn't there time to reach Northport 2" he
asked
'There is not horse in the town could do
| it," was the reply.
Fred's eyes frightened.
"Thunderbolt could" he said, quickly,
land, Mrs. Morris, will ride him. Clara'f
father shall know"
The boy started away, but was followed and
his arm caught, as Mrs. Morris cried;
HE will throw you You know you are
afraid of him You must not do i'll And
you couldn't reach there"
"Thero's a chance of my doing it, isn't
there ?" he turned back to ask.
"Just a chance"
"Aud no time to lose! !" cried Fred, as he
bounded toward the barn.
1t was true that Fred was afraid of Thun
derbolt, for the colt had kicked him when hi
first came to the farm, and his health was no
robust enough TO enable him to overcome feai
as he otherwise would have done.
When the boy entered the barn shril
whinny greeted him, and long black head
with big, wild. looking eyes, was turned towart
him from one of the stalls. Fred, as he haC
said, had no time to lose. He could not stoI
to think whether he wished to go into th
stall or not. He stepped in quickly with th
bride on his arm, and in two minutes NOR
the saddle was on the horses back, and tn
boy had flung himself on also and gatheret
up the reins. He knew how fierce of tempe
the young horse was, and that he might tax
a notion to stop and kick, and throw himsel
about, that he might unseat his rider; AM
he also knew that Thunderbolt, if he chose
might cover ten miles in so short time tina
he might hope to reach Northport in season.
Mrs. Morris, sitting by the insensible girl
heard the rush of the horses feet as the
went out of the yard, and an inaudible praye
was in her heart She glanced at the cloc
which was ticking on the mantel, and tol
herself the thing the boy was trying to d
was impossible.
There was not a braver boy for many
mile than Fred Appleton, and he had mad
up his mind that it should take a very pow
erful effort to get him of of Thunderbolt
back. Had he been more robust in healtf
he might have really enjoyed this furiou
start ana as II was, AFTER loW mohenu
} when the colt had settled down into its tr'
! mendous stride, Fred grew accustomed to thr
3 oleaving the sultry air, and sat more securel!
{ while he felt that savage exultation whio
comes to one who sits on an animal that 81
q pears to have power to annihilate space.
Fred flung up his hand and uttered shri
= whoop. He was monarch Of q force as goc
1 as any IN the ARABIAN Nights" He wou
o not exchange Lis scat on Thunderbolt for al
> magical gift that book. At the sound
! his cry the colt lurched forward still taste
Q and snorted, as if the heavy, fragrant atmo
+ phere were something which made him drum
: The boy told himself that he must rea'
! Bucket village by certain time, and Buck