The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03

AT bbN6u buoIo W0LO hdlA o aOHOh IVY
forms out on the ice clustered about q
stalwart young fellow OF whose muscu'
lar prowess the boys we're proud. and
they were all proud to be intimate enough
to call him Billy" and each one recog-
nized in him an excellent kind Of per-
sonal friend.
"All ready, boys!" shouted the leader.
"Skates just right. Now follow me. /
don't mean to get ahead much, but il /
do, any one behind just sing out, Billy
or give three whistles. l am back there
with you. Ready! One, two, three!
Hum now"
Long Pond was like an oblong shield
of purest silver, while above it. in the
sky, was another silver shield, but cir
cular, and the two shields, the moon and
the pond, shone at one another, not in
rivalry, but in glow of mutual admira-
ton.
All the boys lately bad been studying
about ancient Athens, and Billy had pro
posed that they call different localities
along the shores of the pond, after
places of interest in old time Athens.
AS the party swept up the icy way,
Dave called out as they neared an old
boulder about four feet high:
This. boys, is the mighty Acropolis of
Athens"
The name was greeted with shout.
A slight rise was next approached
where Farmer Jones' flock of sheep
loved to browse, for somehow it had the
sweetest grass in all that neighborhood,
MARS Hill" cried Joe Sheldon.
This was received with a shout.
"Grove of the Academy" called out
Ben Weeks as they passed an orchard of
gnarled old apple trees.
A shout welcomed this also.
So they skated on. reaching the jour
ney's end, and then turning about,
struck merrily homeward. At tone point
Charles skates began to weaken. He
halted, knelt to strengthen their hold
on his feet, but when he arose, he was
alone. Not skater was in sight! A
solitary white moon looked down on a
lonely white pond, and on boy on the
pond.
"Why, where have they gomez" won
dered Charlie. "Our leader said he
would keep near us?"
He was sounding the call that had
been agreed upon, when round near
point gilded a trim. compact figure.
Charlie, Charlie, hullo!"
"That you, Billy?"
Eyes. missed you and came back"
II thought you had forgotten me-"
II haven't taken my thoughts off from
you for a moment, it doesn't seem to
me. You know said would look after
you"
"You are real kind--thank you"
"Give us your hand, Charlie. Away
we go! Away-away, away"
They soon joined the rest of the party
and in little while all were at home.
Charlie found his mother still by the
open fireplace, her work in her lap.
"Oh, mother, it was fine"
"You are good boy to be back wher
you said"
I'VE had good leader"
"Tell US about it."
In his enthusiastic way he told abou
the party. the way and the leadership
Charlie, it it we're new way to you
a new pond. and Billy should come t.
you and tell you that he had been ther'
and knew all about the way. would vol
hesitate about following?'
why, no, mother. he would bring mt
out all right"
There was pause, and Charles mo
Their watched the fire intently as if ex
pecting the gates of gold there would
open. Then she spoke.
Charlie. before you left for the pond
we were talking about starting out il
the way leading to the heavenly gates
You we're afraid you might not hold out
Now you have one that offers to be YOU
leader and guide, the Lord Jesus. HI
knows all the way. He promises not tt
leave you. You said your leader to
night thought of you and came back fol
you. Will Jesus do less? Can't you
trust him? Don't hesitate to take him
for your leader and guide. You will