The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-12-10
cfor the CHILDREN.
A Mothers Boy---A New England
Incident.

The loud, boyish voice rang through
the quiet house. The mother, sewing
in her sunny chamber, heard but did
not answer; she knew by long expert
ence that the call was only courier,
sent on in advance to announce the
coming of him whose feet were even
then bounding up the stairs, and who
burst into the room with all the noise
it is possible for an active boy of four
teen to make in that simple act.
Mother, Uncle Charlie is going
blue-fshing and wants me to go with
him; may II"
Her eyes rested upon him a moment
before she gave consent. He was the
only son of his mother, and she was "a
widow" His father and several others
of his kindred lay beneath the waves.
Perhaps she thought of them as she
gazed so fondly upon his face, glowing
with health and animation. But he
had spent half of his summer life in
and upon the water; she did not think
of refusing his request-only added to
her consent hope that he would be
careful.
ooh, motherl there isn't bit of
danger with such sailor as Uncle
Charlie; besides, if l do get tipped
over, can swim ashore; why, | could
swim from here to the Neckl"
l should not want you to try such a
swim as that, Frankly"
Frank turned to go, but paused !;
perhaps the mother-look drew him
back; he stole shyly to the back of her
chair, and, leaning over her, kissed her
forehead hurriedly and then ran away.
The unusual caress warmed her heart,
and the though of it was comfort to
him before the day was over.
Captain Charlie was waiting, and
they started briskly for their walk of a
mile to the shore. The captain was a
young man still, but sunstroke re-
ceived while on duty in hot climate
had disabled him from active service,
and indeed from prolonged or violent
exertion of any kind. Frank liked
nothing better than to be with him; he
had many stories to tell of foreign
countries and hair-breadth escapes at
sea; besides, he could tell interesting
stories of his father-his brave, noble
father-of whom his mother could not
speak without tears. Frank had seen
very little of his father. He could re-
member few very brief visits, when
he had come like good providence with
wonderful gifts, and the few weeks of
his stay had been one joyful holiday
time, with visits and merry-makings,
the little boy always at his fathers side g,
&C to get acquainted " the captain said.
Then came the parting, and then count
ing up of months and weeks and days,
until his return. Alas! the last reckon
ing had ended in the bitterness of de-
spair.
But sorrow, thank Godl cannot stay
long with the young, and Frank, walk
ing by his uncle's side, with many a
skip and bound of overlooking life, was
as happy as he could be. Before reaching
the shore they saw man with lines, APP
parently bent on the same errand as
themselves. They recognized him as one
Josiah Smith, man of many occupa-
tions beside that of fisherman.
"Going blue-fshing, Si?" said the
captain, as they overlook him.
Ya-as, eff l can find boat; it's a
good day fort" drawled shiftless 81.
Captain Charlie thought of the wife
and two little children to be supported
by his uncertain earnings, and good
naturally offered him place in his
boat, which was accepted, and they
were soon off and ready for business.
Boys, did you ever go blue-tishing?
If so, you would have said there could
not be finer day for the sport than
Frank and his uncle had taken. 1t
was cool day in early autumn; the
sky was deeply blue, the sun often OBJ
scured by flying clouds, and the north
east wind blowing briskly. On such a
day step into your boat, give all the
sail she will carry, let your lines astern,
then, as the boat bounds along, the
greedy fish jump at the bait, and you
have nothing to do but to take them in
as fast as you please. Is not this bet
ter than to float leisurely about, hour
after hour, in the common way of
fishing?
The sport proved to be all that the
day had promised. Back and forth
through the bay the boat flew-the fish
shoaled behind; the fishers had all they
could do to attend to the lines, and did
not notice that the clouds became
darker and more threatening, until a
gust tipped the boat over so much that
the water poured in over her side.
eve must haul in sailr' cried the
captain, springing up and shouting out
orders to Frank, who was unlocking a
fish, and the slow-moving 'Siah.
Too late Another and stronger
gust completely capsized the boat, and
her three late occupants struggled in
the water. OF course they could swim
no boy nor man in the little sea-coast
town of Dunkirk could not-and they
made for the boat, which hoated keel
up, and supported themselves as well
as they could upon the sloping bottom.
The next thing to do was to take re-
view of the situation and determine
what was best to be done. They were
in the channel, distant about three
quarters OF mile from the main shore,
and somewhat nearer the Neck " Ga
long, sandy cape, inclosing the bay
upon the northern side). The water
was intensely cold, and SO was the wind
as it blew upon them wet to the skin.
No other boat was out-their only hope
seemed to be that some one might see
them from the shore and come to their
rescue. But how long would this faint
hope sustain them? How long could
they keep their hold with this icy
numbness coming over them?
They waited-at first full of impossi-
BILE plans for escape, then silent! Who
can tell what thoughts came to their