Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-01-21
From he PHILADELPHIA Saturday Courier.
THE SkYLARK
CHAPTER |.
by MRS. HUGHs.

! mary, Salu MRS hunter, as she entered
a neighbours house, and addressed lutte
girl about eight years old, who was watch.
ing two younger children that were playing
by her side, II wish you would cone and
nurse the baby for me, for am busy fixing
up dress TO 90 I" qnlting party in, to-
morrow"
II cannot" returned the child, "for
mother charged me not tn leave my little
brothers moment till father came home,
for fear they should get TO the fire."
why, what in the world eau have taken
your mother out, for she scarcely ever leaves
home 7"
"She was sent for to Aunt Hannah, who
is thought 10 be dying"
But you do nj need to leave your broth
ers-you eau bring them with you to our
house, and watch them at the same time
that you nurse my baby"
But mother charged me not to 60 out
of the house" demonstrated Mary, in a gen.
tie but firm tone.
ooh she does not need 10 know any.
thing about it r. urged the imporiunale WI.
man, who did not take it into consideration
that she was trying to tempt the child tn
dsobey her parent. William" she added,
turning to her son, who had followed her
into the house, you will not tell, will YOU ,"
But II he did not, | should not have de-
ceised my mother the less" said the con.
scienious child, her cheeks glowing with
the llnsh Of indignation at being thought
capable Of an act Of disobedience aud de.
cepiion.
"Oh that comes Of all your fine learn.
ing Mrs Cranston will make you as stuck
up and ridiculous as herselfp' exclaimed
the irritated woman. Il always said you
would never get any good, by going so
much TO the great house" Aud as she
spoke she houndered out Of the honse, with
the air Of one greatly injured. But she had
left one behind. on whose mind Mary's
conduct had made very different impress
sion.
William Hunter vas fully three years the
senior Of his little neighbor. Mary Baker,
but neglect aud bad example had so re-.
pressed his expanding intellect, that with
respect to intelligence and information, he
vas much her junior Nature. however,
had been very bouniifii in her gifts TO the
boy, and had bestowed upon him not only
person Of more than common beauty, but
tIdu fihS" lac endowed nun WIN a rrait AID
head capable ofihinking aud feeling. But,
though thus gifted, the idea Of ylrtuous aud
conscientious conduct was almost unknown
to him, and Mays mndesl but severe re-.
buke Of his mother had awakened in his
mind perfectly new train Of reflection
He stood for a considerable time after his
parent had eii the house. making lines with
his finger on the table, near which he stood,
whilst Mary was soothing, with her sllveTy
voice, the cries Of her youngest brother, who
had Just fallen. When the child was hush
ed, by his gentle little nurse, William rails.
ed his head, aud after clearing bis voice
two or three times, he said
MARY, you are younger than am, but
you are vast deal further learnt J"
Mary was silent Her love Of truth for.
babe her disclaniing the compliment. which
her modesiy, at the same time, revolled
from acknowledging, and the boy proceed.
, ed:
"You know things do nj go very smooth
at our honse. Father spends great deal
Of his time at the tavern, aud mother, do
nj know very well how ii is with her, bul
she is always complaining, without making
things any better, so that somehow or 9th
/, or, between them, they never seem 10 have
any notion of sending me TO school," Her,
the boy paused, as il wishing to have SON,
encouragement to proceed, but his liiil'
) auditor. young as she was, had an instinct
: i've delicacy which restrained her from Join
: ing in condemnation Of his parents.-
"And so you see. Mary" continued The boy
afler a short pause, THE consequence is
that do nj know how TO read. I've offer
r tried 10 save up what little money earne'
i myself TO pay for quarters schooling. bu
: cant do il. Mother always has need o
$ il, and cannot but give il to her. wish,
continued The boy, with deep sigh, "tha
q | could but learn to read"
9 When he said this. Mary raised her beau
iiful blue eyes to his face, and with smil
e that Illuminated one of the loveliest face
IS that was ever looked upon, she said
: William, would you let me teach you T.
u read 7"
y would you do it, Maryl" asked he
/ companion. with an incredulous look.
h Eyes, | should like very much 10 do it
a. and though ! am but little girl, ! coul
n teach you good deal. Besides, will b
II very diligent myself, that may get 10 b
!. able To teach yon more and when you ca
y read, will get Mrs Cranston TO lend 20
e books. and then you may teach yourself I
d be a wise man, like father and Mr. Graz
d ston."
4 "And will you begin soon !" asked Wi
liam.
+ eyes, will begin directy-I will g,
t. my spelling hook and begin now"
&c This thing was no sooner said than dom
ne The spelling book was brought, and the FIR
y lesson given. and such was the effect Of
y willing and earnes, mind, that before man
Of weeks were over, Mary found that her pup
could read nearly as well as herself Fro
"a. reading they soon proceeded 10 Oth'
branches Of learning. aud so great was II
delight that both teacher and pupil had
The exercise, that months, aud even year
passed over their heads without wiinessi
anything but very occasional intermssioi
in their studies, and Williams mind at
nd manners became, in consequence, at on,
nc a subject of wonder and admiration to .
"' who knew him.
al CuADTEn m