Chapter V: The Distracted Mother

JIMMY got into the boat, and took his seat at the end as Daniel directed; but the smell of the fish made him very sick. On the other occasion Mr. Crawson had washed the boat and left it to dry in the sun, now it was just as he had left it after throwing his load into his cart, for he was in a hurry to carry his fish to market.

They rowed directly to the farther end of the pond and succeeded in getting a large quantity of lilies, which they stowed in under the seats; but Jimmy had wet his clothes, having been obliged to lean over and pick the flowers while Daniel kept the boat in place.

About half the afternoon was spent by the time they had gathered all they could carry; and they set out on their return. Daniel hoping to dispose of his at the car station if he could reach it in season.

"We shall each have a good many hundred," said Jimmy in a gay tone.

"I don't know about that. I ought to have the most. It's my boat, and I do the rowing."

"But I picked 'em all. You said we should share alike."

"Well, I don't mean to," exclaimed Dan angrily. "I'll give you a hundred for your share. I'm going to sell the rest whether or no."

"I don't think that's fair;" faltered Jimmy "You said you'd give me two or three dollars."

"I don't care what I said. If you make any more fuss I wont give you one. Here I am running away from school and taking the risk of getting an awful whipping just to oblige you with a ride in the boat, and you a whining all the way like a baby."

"Oh, Daniel, what a wicked boy you are to talk so! My mother wouldn't let me stay here a minute with such an awful liar."

"Take that, will yer," shouted Dan beside himself with rage, striking Jimmy on the head with the oar.

The boat left to itself for the moment swayed around, and almost upset. When Dan had with considerable akin brought it too, he saw his companion lying at the bottom pale and senseless.

Dan started upon his feet and stood a moment paralysed with fear; then he seized the oars, and fearing he knew not what, made all haste to the shore; but when he reached the landing, Jimmy had given no sign of life.

"Oh what shall I do? I'm afraid he's dead!" Then he stooped down and tried to rouse him, crying again:

"Oh, I wish somebody would come!"

As if in answer to his call his father stood before him.

"So this is the way you attend to your lessons, you young rascal!" began Mr. Crawson seizing hold of his boy, his voice hoarse with passion, when seeing the unconscious form at the bottom of the boat, he dropped his hold exclaiming, "What is this? Why the child is dead!"

Daniel's face blanched with horror; and he covered his eyes to shut out the sight.

"Now," said Mr. Crawson speaking each word slowly that it might have full effect, "Tell me the whole truth, or I'll carry you to prison, and give you up to the gallows."

"Yes," he said to himself; "I will, if it kills me."

"I —I didn't think 'twould hurt him much. He wanted half the lilies; and I got angry, and struck him with the oar."

Not one word in reply. Mr. Crawson pulled the boat farther up on the sand, stooped down, and raised the senseless child in his arms.

There was a low moan at which Dan was so relieved that he burst into a loud cry.

"Keep quiet, will you?" said his father, for the moment forgetting his anger. "Perhaps he isn't hurt so much as I thought. He's in a dead swoon, and he oughter be got home."

"I'll run and call somebody."

"No, you take his feet, there steady now; we'll get him up the bank to the road, may be somebody'll happen along."

No one was in sight, however; but after waiting a minute there was the sound of wheels at a distance.

"It's the Doctor's buggy," said Daniel softly.

"So 'tis."

The old physician was hurrying by, when Mr. Crawson shouted:

"Stop, Doctor! stop! You're wanted!"

"Why, what has happened? Jimmy Dodge, hurt! How's that?"

"If you'll take the boy home, I'll be there about as soon as you are."

Jimmy groaned as they lifted him into the buggy. Then Mr. Crawson turned the horse's head, for the Doctor's arm was engaged holding the unconscious child; and they slowly started for Mr. Dodge's house.

It so happened that a gentleman belonging to the School Committee visited the school to which both Daniel and Jimmy belonged. Having listened to their recitations, he praised them for diligence and good order; but remarked that he was sorry to see so many seats vacant. He made an interesting address to the scholars, taking for his text the motto Dickens gave the boys on board the school-ship. "Boys, do all the good you can, and don't make a fuss about it." Then as it was too late to resume the recitations he dismissed them.

Miss Reynolds felt annoyed that Jimmy Dodge the best reader in his class should have been absent. She resolved to go at once, and tell his mother how important it was that the children should be regular in their attendance.

Mrs. Dodge was well acquainted with the teacher, and loved her for her faithfulness to Jimmy. She received her with great cordiality, and then asked; "Where is Jimmy? Why didn't he come with you?"

Miss Reynolds looked surprised. "I came," she said, "to ask you where he is. I am afraid he will lose his interest in his studies if he is absent so often."

"Why, I don't think he has been absent or tardy this term," remarked the mother, in an excited tone.

"There is some mistake about this, Mrs. Dodge. On Tuesday afternoon, our time for general exercises, when I specially missed him, Jimmy was absent. I sent Ralph Lane here to inquire whether he was detained by sickness, in which case I do not give a check. The next morning Jimmy told me himself that he went out of town with you."

"Oh, my son!" exclaimed the mother, a pang seizing her heart.

"Again this afternoon he was not in his place, which I regretted exceedingly as we had a visit from Mr. Comer."

"Let me think a minute. Jimmy went away directly after dinner, having asked permission to play with George Rust. Was George at school?"

"Yes."

"Where can my boy be? Oh, Jimmy, I trusted you so entirely, how could you deceive me!"

"He has probably fallen in with some bad associate who has enticed him away."

"But who, Miss Reynolds? Was any other boy absent?"

"Now I think of it, Daniel Crawson was away both on Tuesday and to-day; but he plays truant so often I never thought of Jimmy in connection with him."

"Oh, I hope not! he is a profane, wicked boy, and his father is—"

"Oh, Miss Reynolds, the pond! What if Jimmy has gone out in Mr. Crawson's boat! What shall I do? I must send at once."