Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-24
From the Bother Janltnan.
G EORG y d \ n Z R.
by ELIZA S. PRATT.

sWhcrc's George!' said Damer--a stout
listed farmer, with black beard and whisk
ers, and muscle enough in his arm for two
common men-as he entered his house one
warm summers afternoon, and looked around
among his group Of sturdy boys and girls, for
the one in question. But the boy was miss
ing.
'Whcre's Gcorgc, say?' repeated the
man in "A louder tone do you know where
the young rascal is, any Of yc.'
Il guess he's up chamber father Z SAID
swee, little girl of six years, her eyes filling
with tears, and her voice trembling as she
spoke; Il heard some body going up real
easy about two hours ago; shall call him.
father! I'm sure George wouldn't run
awav.'
Go, Mary said Mr.. Damer in slight
ly softened tone, tell him | want him
quick
As the child went out Mrs. Damer laid
down her work, glanced at her husband, and
after hpsitating moment, evidently uneasy,
rose and went after icr daughter. But the
boy was not TO be found. The house was
searched from cellar to garrett, garden and
barns hunted, and George, George echo
ed from youngest to oldest, from the fathers
stentorian lungs to the mothers mild, sweet,
voice-for she would have done any thing to
save her boy from a Mrdshing, which she
had good reason to expect from the storm
that was brewing.
always ont of the way,' said Damer
clenching his fist, and rudely pushing Mary
aside from the door, already black in the face
with passion, and his eyes flashing fire. I'll
teach the young rascal "A lesson he won't for>
get very soon, if once catch him. Hid
away somewhere with back, III warrant
ye-that's always his cut, Sinking clear OF
every thing he cam
Mrs. Damer stepped forward, pale as death
and laid her hand on his arm.
Don't whip him now beg you; remem-
Der il was only last week you gave him snc
hogging, and-and-al for nothing, as i,
proved, for he had done his work then and
this morning he bro'l IN all the wood and
water for me, every bit of it he's more hrlr
to me than all the rest of the children put
together
you needn't try to beg him off, excaim-
ed the man, she never was logged hay
enough yet, the idle dog-but if can catc
MIN now, u give IL 10 hlm.
So saying, he shook on the trembling hand
that would have detained him, and taking a
heavy horsewhip from the wagon at the door
walked oil shaking it hther and lhlier. as
if impatient TO set it to work, and all the
time mutierIng curses between his clenched
teeth. The mother of the boy turned away
and wiped the tears from her face, but said
nothing. Little Mary cried as if her hear
would break, and the two elder boys stood
in the door, trying to whistle and look care.
less but the quivering lip barred all thci
efforts and they stole off into the hay NOV
with Gears on their cheeks.
Mr. Damer had suddenly wanted the boy
he needed the assistance of the three, wa,
really in hurry, and when he found on,
missing, the one to whom he had always beer
snappish, Gf may be permitted to use the
term,) and without any conceivable reason
his anger passed all bounds.
When he reached the skirts of the wood
he felt prepared for almost any thing. Had
he once turned his head as he passed the tur.
nip field, things might have taken different
course. The whole Enclosure was nicely and
completely hoed out, large as was the task
for boy Of his size, and the hoe was clean
ed and hung gltlering in the sun, from the
nook of an apple tree. But all this was
lost, for it was unseen by the father of the
boy.
6'Che bee h woods were the favorite resort
George, when no could get away with q