The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-07-27


painted farmhouse, big and square, vi
long barns and sheds in The rear. stood
such iosn. II vas dAy IN scptembe
A. hot aud snltry a. iflt we're milsnmme
A doctors sulky had just driven up 10 n
gate aud the horse stood hitehed st I'll
post In the yard, lying under one Of th
elms was boy Of a about thirteen, II
I was thin and pale but there was brigl
rosolnie look 10 his ewes that stiracte
one. Fred Appleton had been in Warn
ham for couple Of months. He had bee
sent out by his uncle, that he might hay
the benefit Of country air after long an,
prostrating fever. The boys eyes wen
fixed on the open door that led into thu
hall. Everything in the house was omi
nously still. Out doors the chickens wer,
'craking" about the yard and making sud
den ruus at insects
Now low groan from the room at th'
left Of the front door made Fred start and
grow pale. His hands shut themselve,
hard with an involuntary motion Not Z
sound was heard for nearly half an hour
and then steps approached from within
tho house and the doctor came out on the
piazza. He was followed closely by a
middle-sged woman. Neither OF them ap.
peared to notice Fred, and both stopped
at the gate.
Doctor, how is ity asked Mrs. Morris 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 have said; it's all that can be done. 1t
is heartbreaking to hear her call for her
father
The doctor was evidently in hurry.
He jumped into his carriage and drove
away, leaving Mrs. Morris standing there.
The woman looked after him moment
with unseeing eyes; then she wrung her
hands violently, while she exclaimed in a
low voice: II Charles had not gone II
he could only be detained
Fred Appleton rose, came quietly fol-
ward, and touched the woman's arm.
Is 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 Can
not word be got to him before he goes on
board the steamer? the boy asked
Mrs. Morria tremblcd. The girl lying
in the house was her nice and about the
same age as Fred She was the only child
,f her brother, Charles Roth, and dear as
,wn daughter to her. The father had
gone. He was on his way to Boston, to
,mbark on board Cunard steamer for
europe. He had remained in Warnham
Until the last moment. and had Just time
o reach the city II nothing delayed him.
1t can't be done Mrs. Morris answered
t cant be donel The telegraph station
ten miles away. Before any one conld
ct there Charles will have left, and once
n the water nothing can reach him. God
clip HIM lhe first news lie hears the
ther side the Atlantic will break his
cart
Fred stood for an instant with his
right glance fixed on his companions
ice.
Isn't their time to reach Northport? he
,ked.
There is not horse in town that could :,
o it. was the reply. \
Fred's eyes frightened. !,
Ihunderbolt could, he said, quickly, 1
I'd, Mrs. Morris, will ride him, Clara's :,
ther shall know,
The boy started away, but was followed, 81
ID his arm caught, as Mrs. Morris cried A
He will throw youl You know you are hI
raid of him. You must not do i'll And ia
III couldn't reach there In
There's chance OF my doing it, isn't Sc
|
just chance n,
And no time to losel cried Fred, as he hi
unded toward the barn. en-
Ii was true that Fred was afraid OF
for the colt had kicked him bi
zen he fiist came TO the farm, and his nc
attn was not robust enough to enable E'
n to overcome fear as he otherwise if
uld have done. he
When the boy entered the barn sbrill In
inny greeted him, and o long black de
I'd. with big. uild-looking eyes was fol
ned toward him from one Of the stalls. da
I'd, as he said. had no time to lose. lie
I'D not stop to think whether be wished ate
go into the stall or not He stepped 10 nel
ckly with the bride on his arm, and in Tie
, minutes more the saddle was on the arr
.ses back, and the boy had flung him Co
on also and gathered up the reins. He
w how fierce OF temper the young
'se was, and that be might take notion the
stop and kick, and throw himself about, san
he might upseat his rider; and be al set
Snew that Thunderbolt, il he chose, th
,ht cover ten miles in so short time for
be might hope TO reach Northport in say
son. boy
irs. Norris. sitting by the insensible AZ
heard the rush OF the horses feet AZ s'al
' went out OF the yard. and an inaudi. =
prayer was in her heart. She glanced bur
be clock which was ticking on the man. ana
and told herself the thing the boy was scio
ng 10 do was impossible. Mr.
here Was not brsver boy for many a 5
. than Fred Appleton. and he had made did
ans mind that Il should take very o
erial effort TO get him off Of Thunder. for
Is back Had he been more robust in II
th. be nigh, have really enjoyed this kno
Gus staIt; and as ii was, after few was