Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-01-25
POPUG.qH READINGS.

A TRUE TEMPERANCE sroR,

| TRUE TEMPERANCE STORY
Johnny am glad to see you,' said a tall, saIlow
thin-lookng woman, to boy about ten years of age
who had just entered the room Her features were
harsh, but her voice was cheerful The child seem
ed gratifed as he looked up into her face
{ Is Jenny better, then ? he asked as he walked
up towards the CRADLE and attempted to peep beneath
the coverlet which wrapped the baby
= am afraid not much, though he's asleep now
and don't disturb him; but Johnny shall want an.
other Of your pumpkins
What for, motherq
How many have you got, Johnny?
Just four left. The last was given for the meal
| you know, mother Yes, have Just four left: and
these, mother, you said we might keep for Thanks
| giving day.
Yes, Johnny, l said so; but won't two do? I
want to get something for the baby, while he is so
sick. L must have a candle and other things
Where are they to come from, but from your pump
kinsP
Well, mother, l suppose you must have them =
and after all said the child, sorrowfully, don't
suppose Thanksgiving day was made SO much for
poor folks, as for the rich people, who have enough
70 eat t'
We can be thankful in our hearts johnny: but
Jenny is very sick She tucked up the blanket
around the feet ofthe sick child cast an anxious look
upon his pale face, then wiped the tears from her
eyes with the corner of her apron
Don't cry, mother you shall have the pump
kns; they are yours and will get them this min
ute
He is just as his father was before he became in
temperate thought the poor woman as the child dis
appeared; as kind to me as possible Oh dear
dear, what will become ofus2 don't know that
ought to wish Jenny to recover
While the mother sat indulging her gloomy re-
Elections, John clambered up an infirm and rickety
stairway, into the cottage loft Making his way
among the old lumber which from time to time had
been slowed away there, he went up to a snug little
place between the chimney and the wall, where he
had carefully deposited his treasures, which were
the products of his own labor There YOU are safe
and sound, said the little fellow apostrophizing his
pumpkins; how large and yellow-what beauties =
He examined Them and after much delberation he
took away large and small one and left large
and small one. These he returned to their hiding
place. as hiding place it really was and concealed
from view by an old quilt He brought down the
pumpkins and laid them one by one at his mothers
feet Here they are mother, said he, and one is
my very biggest
Thank you, Johnny; you are good boy; l
don't know what l should do without you.' The
child felt happy as he occupied himself in wipinp the
dust from their round faces
How wish you could sell them for me- said his
mother
Cant IL See me hold this, the biggest. He
held it up to be sure, but it was with great effort
No, Johnny, must go and sell them, and you
may go with me- Mamie will mind the baby, and
we shall not be gone long
Mamie was called in, long haired, thinly clad,
little girl with PALE pensive face She was charg.
ed to mind the cradle, and if the baby stirred to rock
him to sleep again
May put some chips on the fire; my feet are
so cold mother p asked Mamie, as she curled her
little hands up under her arms and placed one of her
feet on the warm ashes.
There are but five or six left, Mamie; YOU can
warm your feet as you stand now Be good girl
until we come back replied her mother
Mrs Smith busted herself in preparing for her
walk, with heavy heart The toilet of the poor is
soon made. The thin cotton shawl, which she wrap
ped about her, seemed but poor protection against
the keen, chilly November wind that whisled thro'
the eaess branches of the trees She took the lar
gest pumpkin in her arms, while Johnny followed
with the other, and thus they left the house
Moiher, tits cold, isn't it Z? exclaimed the child,
looking at his thin cotton trowrers and shiverng as
the wind whistled past
Come along, my son. said his mother. She
quckened her pace, not trusting hersefto look back
on her shivering boy, or venturing even to speak
kindly to him. She knew she would weep if she
did, for her heart was like to break.
They kept on their way for long time, in silence
Mr. Smiths house in the outskirts of the town,
in bleak desolae place, and they were obliged to
Walk SOlne ulSluHC6 DelOTe IedCHeu l1e
settled part ofthe town. John found that in order to
keep up with his mother, that he might talk with
her, he must almost run, but he soutly mended his
pace and came up beside her
Mother, these are fine houses; don't you think
so p remarked John, wishing to draw his mother
into conversation.
Certainly, my son.
'The boys who live here, always have their break
fast, and good fire to warm them by, and shoes to
put on l should think they had great deal to be
thankful for, said little Johnny they must be glad
tc have Thanksgiving day come he added
Thanksgiving day is day which every New
England boy anticipates with small degree of
happiness, and it was uppermost in Johns mind for
he had heard the boys talk and over againh
plans for fun and frohc, on that day.
Mother what shall we do on Thanksgiving day p
Perhaps we shall have something to eat, Johnny
Yes, mother, you said you was going to make
some pies of the two pumpkins that are left Wasn't