Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-23
Charlie Upton's " Cowardice. -

Charlie Upton was "the only son of his
mother, and she was widow" Her
whole heart was bound up in him. Her
health was delicate, and, as she sat or re-
clned on bed at home, she was constantly
tormenting herself with imaginary dangers
which might be menacing her boy. For
this reason he never left the house without
being loaded with cautions. "Don't go to
such place, and take care Of this, and
come home at Just such an hourl"
Charlie had idolized his father, and he
never forgot his last injunction, Z" Take care
of your mother, my boy, and never do any
thing to grieve her." And so Charlie denied
himself many pleasure which he knew
was perfectly harmless, because he feared it
might trouble his mother. Sometimes he
was forbidden to go beyond certain cor
ner. Then, while all were playing, a band
of music would be heard, and company
of soldiers would pass down a neighboring
street. All boys delight in soldiers, and the
troop would start off down the street-all
but Charlie, who thought of that pale face
at home, and of his mothers command.
In the winter the canal was frozen so
firmly that it would bear loaded wagon
and pair of horses. But Charles mother
had dread of the ice, and she exacted
from him a promise that he would not
skate, or slide, or step his foot upon the ice,
unless his uncle was with him.
On the way home from school the boys
began game called "Follow my leader"
Wherever the first boy went all were to fol-
low. The first boy went hither and thither,
round corners and over bridges, and all the
others followed, till at length number one
sprang off the bridge on to the ice. The
others followed Ikea flock of sheep, till it
came Charles turn, and he stood still.
slump. Charlie, jump" shouted the
boys. "Oh he's afraid" Before I'd be
such coward" go on, boys, and let the
baby go home.' Charles face got red, and
his ears got red, and he wanted to take of
his coat and fight those boys, but that was
another thing his mother had forbidden
So he walked sadly home, and being quiet
reserved boy, he never said word to his
mother about the matter.
Bun no one can tell the sufferings Of a
brave, noble boy who is despised by his
companions, and called a coward. All the
winter long Charlie suffered this mortifica
ton, and his mother never knew what
trouble her foolish fears were bringing to hel
boy.
There was a lake not far from the village
and at one part of it the shore rose in q
steep perpendicular cliff. The boys had all
gone for wild flowers in the spring, and as
they came out from the woods upon this
cliff they saw small boy upon light raft
which he had made himself, some distance
from the shore. The wind had risen, and the
water was rough, and as the boys watched
the little mariner he was washed from his
frail craft, and with wild scream he sank
in.the water.
The boys on the cliff looked on in con
stern alton, and some tried to Chamber down
to the beach to see what could be done
when they heard loud splash, and pres
emily they saw Charlie Upton swimming fol
dear life toward the spot where the chile
went down. He had not stopped to think
for life was in danger, and throwing of
his coat, he leaped from the cliff, and struck
out for the drowning boy. The boys al
stood watching him, and as the little fellow
rose, and Charlie caught him, and holding
on to the raft, supported him till a passing
boat picked them up, shout went up from
that little crowd, who recognized hero il
the boy they had called coward, The story
came out afterwards and Charles mother
hearing of his conduct, and of the way il
which her boy had been misjudged, wa.
more proud of him than ever.
Now, boys, follow no leader who woulC
guide you into bad ways. Do not think i
brave thing to swear, or to act the bully
because older boys do 30. Never be afrait
to defend yourselves if attacked, but neve
attack one weaker than yourselves. Try t.
understand the circumstances and the mo
tives of action of your companions befor,
you Judge them; for a boy may seem to yol
to be a coward who is great deal NOR
brave and manly than yourselves.-C hristia,
al Work.