Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-03-23
IN TIE MILLPoND.


rate with bis Sled. as his elder brother
started for Long Hill
"Oh. bother" exclaimed Harry, i'm
patiently, what under the sun do you
want to go to Long Hill for? Slide
down the bill back of the barn; that's
bic enough for Won"
"Bat all the boys are over on Long
lIill and mamma won't let me go un.
less you're there, replied Dick. in a
disappointed tone.
II wouldn't care if you weren't such
baby, Dick" returned the elder broth
er. Last time you cried because it
was cold, al d howled as though your
your neck had been broken when you
tumbled off your sled"
'But it was dreadfully cold that day:
mamma said my fingers were most
frozen when got home And most
anyone would have cried to have their
face scratched like that, and Dick, in
defense, pointed to the court plaster
which still adorned his cheek.
well. come along, if you must, :"
said Harry ungraciously. II do wish
You weren't such coward, Dick.
Dick trudged silently along in his
brothers wake. He realized that he
was very timid for a great boy of ten
years, and he tried to cure himself of
il; but IIarry's treatment of him was
not calculated to inspire i'm with
courage. for the elder brother was con-
tinually making sport of, or scolding
the younger.
Long Hill was the only hill of any
considerable size within five miles of
the little village of Morely. In the
summer it was the haunt of all the viii
lage children, for nowhere else did the
berries grow plentifully At the foot
OF the hill. too there was the millpond,
in whose waters sundry small fish
were to be found. But now the pond
was frozen over
The boys had made two slides on
Long Hill-one down the road, and
the other little to the left of it. The
latter was much sleeper, and abounded
10 what the boys called bumpers" and
ended at the shore of the pond, the
sleds shooting out across the ice to the
opposite shore by the impetus given
them The smaller boys usually kept
TO the road slide, but older ones pre-
ferred the stee per declivity, as some
little danger was lent to the sport, as
well as its being a longer and better
slide.
Harry Hargrave had not been coast
ing for two or three days before, and
his appearance on the hill was hailed
with shout of delight by the lads al
ready there. He was an acknowledged
leader in all their sports-a spirita
spirit so daring and impetuous could
not fail TO win hoyish affections As
Harry and Dick toiled up the road drag
ging their sleds they noticed tbatall the
boys were sliding on the road. and that
the mill-pond slide was deserted.
Now mind you slide down the road,
youngsters warned Harry, as they
reached the summit of the hill. 'I'In
gong to have spin across the mill
pond.
He picked up his sled as he spoke, and
running With it little way slammed"
it. throwing himself forward as he
reached the crest of the mill. Then
like an arrow he shot down the slide.
while chorus of shouts arose from the
bows who saw him.
Look out, Harryl''
Come back!''
They've been cutting ice on the mill
pond.
Harry heard and understood them,
Dut could no more stop the course of
his sled than he could have stayed a
locomotive. All he could do was tocling
terrified to the sled and be carried
down the slope and out upon the pond.
The ice had been cut two days be-
fore, and a thin LAYER had formed over
the open water. Had he not been so
terrified he might have crossed the
weak ice swiftly and in safety; but in
ioolishly trying to stay the sled his
boot heel broke through the ice, and .
moment later the ice cracked all about
NM and he was in the water.
The crowd OF frightened boys stood
on The brow of the hill, without being
able to do the first thing to assist theit
imperiied comrade Only one retained
presence of mind enough to think
quickly and act as well.
Dicks mind was at work from the
Instant he understood Harrv's danger |
he could do nothing to save his brother |
himself, and he knew the other boys
were too bewildered to assist him. But
across the pond at the mill was plenty |
Of help-the men would know what e
do
u was a mile around by the road but
II was straight course down the slide
and across the ice. Dared he risk his
NE on that treacherous ice for his
brother? These thoughts passed
through his mind with the rapidity Of
lightning.
Aot an instant did he hesitate. but
si'sost at the moment Larry broke