Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-04-02

him from harm, be realized, AZ be bad never
done before, that he must look to an Almighty
Helper. A single line OF one Of Martin Lu-
thers hymns, which his mother had repeated
to him that morning, haunted his memory
like q strain of sweet music Again and
again, be murmured to himself the comfort
ing words, Fin Jeste Bury t1 unser Gott
("Our God is a strong tower
Brecht knew very well that tower or
fortress was very sure defence in times OF
war. Bot here was mighty foe--the treach-
erous sea-breaking down the barriers that
had been reared against it.
BY and by, as little Brecht crouched low at
his post, the moon, which was 80 new as to
look only like silver sickle in the sky,
dipped below the water line and the solemn
stars shone out brilliant and terrible, like so
many great eyes sharing his lonely watch.
As the night wore on, hs felt that the wa
ter was becoming icy cold His hands were
benumbed aud intensely painful from the
continued strain to keep them in one posi-.
ton.
Then, for a few moments, he seemed TO
fall into a doze, and had a troubled dream.
The dixie was giving way, the waters were
rushing over the beautiful fields and the
crowded cities carrying ruin and death in ev-
cry direction. lie thought he saw the pale
faces OF his mother Gretchen and his father
Oaspar struggling with the rising flood and
they looked rsproaohfully at him, as one who
had been unfaithful to his trust. He came
to himself at last with start and loud cry,
but found to his great JOY that all was safe (;
his hand still held the leak in check.
At home, his mother Gretchen, after
spreading the table aud getting everything in
readiness for her boys supper, sat down to
her spinning wheel, not willing to be idle for
even the short time that must pass before his
return.
Nor when an hour or more wore away did
she feel uneasy. Brecht WAS good and true,
aud she could trust him. He had, perhaps,
gone further than he had intended, gather
ing tine berries for their supper. Or it might
be that some of his companions had tempted
him to go with them, on fishing excursion to
one Of the lakes. 1t would be grand 10 bring
home a string Of fish Of his own catching.
To be sure, it was not right for him to do
this without asking leave but with the slight
feeling of displeasure came the excuse,
"what else could she e1pect?"
But, when dark night came and no little
Brecht appeared the poor woman grew seri-
ously alarmed. She had strained her eyes
looking as long as she could see in the direc-
tion he must have taken on his way home
from school, and then, unable any longer to
bear her trouble alone, called her friends and
neighbors together to lament with her over
her lost boy.
But with the early dawn came a great
crowd Of men, carrying little Brecbt in a
sort of triumphal procession.
Give thanks to God, good people all, y
they cried "Alhrecht Gerritz has saved the
land from q great calamity"
Then indeed did little Brecht become ia
nous. His name was in everybody's mouth.
People came from far and near to see the
brave boy who WAS not afraid to sacrifice his
life, il need be, for the welfare of his coun-
try. The good burgomaster paid him visit,
bringing with him his own surgeon to do
what he could for the poor strained arms.
And the great Stakeholder himself, when the
facts were made known to him, presented
Albrecht's father with a purse Of money TO
defrsy the expenses Of his sons education,
and when he should be old enough, free
scholarship in the great University of Ley
den, which had been built as a rev ard to
that city for it's heroic defence at the time OF
the memorable Spanish invasion. -Pres6yte-
ridH Journal.