The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03
THE SKATE UP LONG POND.

HHEY sat in the twilight, Charlie
Stevens and his mother, talking
busily away while the light of the open
fire fell over them and draped them with
its robes of gold.
"Hemp exclaimed Charlie. IL
wanted to tell you-you-abouti it. Hem!
I-I-well. 1 am only one-but lots of us
boys have been interested in the meet
ings that have been held. and think it is
about-time for you-for US to start"
"What, those special services in the
churches?"
"Yes, that is it, mother"
"And you think it is time to start to
serve God?"
"That-is it that is-it, mother! l
wanted to tell you"
II am delighted to have you, Charlie.
and l would start out now. Haven't you
decided?"
well, 1 am thinking about it,
mother"
"What keeps you from deciding?
|
"Well, it seems good deal to do. 1t
is starting out, we'll. the way seems a
long one, and l know how other boys
feel and feel, and we sort Of hold back,
for we don't know as we will hold out.
Tom knows it is long way"
"But, Charlie, it isn't just your way.
1t is Gods way. There are lots of helps
in the way-and oh, you will come out
right! Why, the way runs to the
heavenly gates-why, sitting here, it
seems to me as if | could see right to
the end. It's our Fathers way to the
Fathers housew
Here Mrs. Stevens looked at the open
fire. as if in the flames sweeping up
from the burning logs she could see
gates of gold shining afar.
That's lovely. mother, but"
Then came a pause. long pause.
Mother and son sat in silence before the
open fire, looking at the golden gates
shining afar. Soon there came from
without the sound of call, a clear,
sweet, boy-call. Charlie rose and went
to the window.
| "Just excuse me moment. l think
that Is one of the boys wanting me.
Sounds like Dave Pomeroys call. Yes,
] can make out Dave there in the cleo
trio light. He is reckoning. just mo-
ment, excuse me-"
Charlie was gone longer than mo-
ment. When he came back. he was very
much in earnest about piece of news
the messenger with the musical boy-call
had brought.
"Oh. mother. the moon rises at seven,
full moon. you know, and may go up
Long Pond on skater"
"Oh, Charlie!"
If Mrs. Stevens had said mo-" that
would have ended it. but this kind of an
answer might lead to eyes," and Char
lie, planting himself before the gates OF
| gold fast crumbling in the fire, excitedly
began:
"You see, mother, we are going"
"Who are going?"
"Well Dave Pomeroy. Charlie Weeks
Ben Weeks. Tim Dove. all nice boys"
Eyes, know that"
"And then, there is Billy Grant. he il
| going to be our leader, Dave says. You
know Billy is first class. He is splen'
did skater, and he knows all about Long
Pond. He is strong. too, and then he is
always ready to help. Why, the other
day, when Joe Selden gave out, Billy
just boosted him up and took him on his
back. Wasn't that splendid?"
"Yes."
Hes that sort of Teller. And he
will be our leader He knows just where
to go. too, knows all about it. He says
he will keep right near US and lead US
and we needn't be afraid, and he guar
antees, if we start at seven, he will gel
us back at eight. Now, that isn't bad
Billy says he doesn't believe in late
skating when the ice is at all thin. and
he will look after us. Now isn't that q
good case. mother. back at eight. you
know. and behind a good leader, NOT
half mile behind. but close up ism. t
it good case. mother?"
yes; you may go"