Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-01-25


ten as you please, for it ought to do you
good. But in this silence aud in the sol
emn shade of these old trees, how dare you
be a thiefW
After she had stopped, the boys gaze of
admiration suddenly changed into a settled
sullenness-almost painful to look UPON
lie spoke between his teeth, as he said
slowly
"Pretty well done, but you don't know
what you are talking about. can't help
mysell,-rye got nothing else to do, and
had rather be out here alone, than around
with the boys ! don't care if | do rob
birds nests. Now there you have it right
square"
Don't care !" cried Fannie, in high and
beautiful Indignation. "You can't find any
thing else to dol Why, look at yourself,
Just as you are, and see if there is nothing
to be done. You are ragged and dirty, and
you might at least spend little time in put
ting on clean clothes"
And more in getting them!" muttered
the boy.
Then you are ignorant, too. You ought
to be ashamed Of that, when there is a school
in every street, where you can study, if You
will. Don't say you are too poor, for little
work-a very little, compared with your la
zness-would send you to one of them
/ You are not afraid to do this--you who can
steal their homes away from the birds I
couldn't do that have not courage enough
to steal"
Look here, now l an poor and igno-
rant, but perhaps can tell you a thing or
two for all that. It's all very easy for a rich
girl, who don't know anything about work,
to preach it up to those who cannot find it.
You don't know what a life we poor folks
are obliged to live. If knew how to do
better, would, and there's an end of it.
But | can't"
Here is some money!" cried Fannie,
hastily, take that and begin upon it. Ma
/ ny men have made fortunes on less than ev-
en- this little sum"
MOI" said the boy passionately and with
different spirit cleaning from his eyes,
No, won't take your money! cant do
that-bnt III tell you how you can help me.
Just give me your advice how to begin"
Il really don't know what to say" ex.
claimed Fannie, in some perpleyity.
Yes, there it is! thought So"
81 don't know much about it, but ,oould
learn if were in your place. You may
take this for certain, that there have been
poor boys who set themselves hard at work
upon any thing at frst-and have become
greet men. There's Dr. Franklin, now
he was Il poor printers boy once. There's
Roger Sherman-he was a shoemaker when
he was young"
No, 40, Fannie" / whispered, " hap
peu to know That the COMMON sloryis wrong
here. He was retail boot and shoe mer-
chant, but not a shoemaker"
"Don't spoil it, Carrie. There are Mr..
Girard and Mr.. Aston, and host more
enough to clear the way for you, so that it
and make a man of yourself Don't be a
fraid Why, | know | could do it in your
place, and you are stronger than myself"
CHOW really wish you knc,O a little
more about how to begin" said he thought
fully, " bat perhaps may as well take your
word for it, and learn for myself. I'll do it,
| really believe | can, and I'll begin this
very day. If ever do become any thing,
I'll thank You, bless you for it--you, girl,
not half as strong as | am, but mastering
me with your courage and truth. Are there
any more in the world like you IL never
saw any before. Now, don't you know that
you'd make capital missionary to the poor!
Just try 1t for their sakes. If they can
stand up against your beautiful face and
your bright eyes, aud your true tongue, they
are stronger than am. Don't blush any
more-lm sorry l said it, but it's the truth.
Now want to ask you to do one little thing
for me, and that is all the help I'll ever need
, from you. Let me start with this. Just
, write your name, will You, with your own
hand, and give it to me! | don't want il
printed on any pasteboard hummery want
, it Just as you wrote it yourself, for me.
l know it will do me good. feel that | can
5 do anything when look at that. viii you
start me in life with this!'
t With an eye, downcast, yet glowing, aht
= firm, raised hand, Fannie wrote her name
and gave him the card il silence.
4 "Thank you. You &c done great dea
to-day, and this isn't the least"
( Stop moment !" cried Fannie, blush
5 ing. "Iou ought TO tell me your name
Il too Perhaps may hear Of it hereafter.
4 shall, if you ARE strong and bold"
: Z" Don't ask me that" he exclaimed, red
c dening. " / should have to tell you if yo,
y asked me, and don't want to do that yet
p But if you'll only let me write to you ono,
in "A while, and tell you how am gettln.
c along or, if you will read what write
| won't you do it! You need Mt fear an,
t thing III never sign any name, until cal
= sign one that you have heard Of Don't sa,
;, no, for Pm bound to do it. Twill help IN,
n along SO much. Good bye %
Il And in an instant he was GU. of sight.
s For Il little while we looked at each othe
without exchanging a word
/, Well, this is an odd adventure. Onl
y think OF your talking half an hour with
e ragged street boy W
n +" am not sorry for it," replied Fannie
}. quietly.
Is "You have no cause to be sorry for it,
J. said rather warmly; and then, after
e pause-"OnIy think, Fannie, if this savag
t, young Orson should turn out TO be your Val
i entne at last !"
d "Pshaw, Carrie you don't know VIVA
lie you are saying. Let us drop the subject.
Is wonder, though, if we ever shall hear c
st him again. Don't you hope soP
It Certainly" said |, and then we talke
r Of something else.
The first part of my story has been S