Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-06-19
OBEYING ORDERS.

members the widow Trotter, who used,
many years ago, TO occupy smaIl wood
en- house away down in Hanover street,
in close proximity 10 Salutatlon Alley
We'll, this widow was blessed with son,
who. like a Goldsmith, and many other
men distinguished in after life, was the
Ounce of his class. Numerous were the
floggings which his stupidity brought up
on him, and the road to knowledge was
to him truly vale of tears.
One day he came home as usual, with
red eyes and hands.
90. YOU blockhead = screamed his
mother. she was bit Of virago, Mrs.
Tro,ter was you've been a gettin' an
other Eckin' know
90, yes, replied young Mr.. Trotter
that's one ov the regular exercises-lick-
in me. After Nv licked Trotter,' says
the master, 'I'll hear the 'rithmetic
class But, mother, to change the sub
iect, as the criminal said when he found
the Judge was getting personal, IS there
emmy aren't | can do for YOU :
Yes grumbled the widow only
you're so eternal slow about any thing
you undertake-go get pitcher OF wa
ter. and be four years about H. will ye Z
Bob Trotter took the pitcher, and
wendell his way in the direction OF the
street pump, but he hadn't got far when
he encountered his friend, Joe Buffer, the
mate of a vessel, issuing from his house
and dragging heavy sea chest along
after him.
Come, Bob, said Joe, bear hand
and help me down TO the Long Wharf
with this.
'Woll, so would said Bob, only
You sec, mother sent me after pitcher
OF water
W hat do you care for'your mother
she don't care for vol. Come along.
Well said Bob, first let me hide
the pitcher. where can find it again
With these words he slowed away
his carhern ware under a flight Of stone
steps, and accompanied his friend aboard
ship. The pilot was urging the captain
TO cast of and take advantage Of the
wind and tide, but the captain was await
ing the arrival OF boy who had shipped
the day before, and wishing no good to
his eyes for the delay he had occasion
cd.
At last he turned to Bob, and said--
W lat do you say, youngster, to
shipping with me- I'll treat you well,
aud give you ten dollars a month.
should like 10 go, sad Bob heslla-
tngly, bat my molher--
Hang your mother I! said the cap
taia. Shell be glad TO get rid Of you.
Come will you COZ
haint got no clothes.
Here's a chest full. The other chap
was Just your size; and they'll fit you to
at
I'm GO
Cast off that line there = shouted the
captain; and the ship fell off with the
tide and was soon standing away down
the bay with fair wind, and every
stitch Of canvass set. She was bound
for the northwest via Canton and back
again, which was then called the double
voyage, and usually occupied about four
years.
In the meanwhile, the non appear
nnce of Bob seriously alarmed his moth
or. A night passed, and the town crler
was called into requIsiton,-a week
when she gave him up, had note read
for her in the meeting and went into
mourning.
Just four years after the occurrence
the ship got back TO port, and Bob and
his friend were paid of. The wages Of
the widows son amounted TO Just iou'
hundred and eighty dollars, and he iount
on squArlng his accounts witt! the cap
tain, that his advances had amounted tc
the odd tens, and four hundred dollars
clear ere the fruits of his long cruise.
As lie walked in the direction OF hi'
mothers house in company with Joe
he scanned with curious eyes the hous
cs, the shops and the people that he
passed.
Nothing appears changed the same
signs indicated an unchangng hospIlali-
" on The part of the same landlords, the
same Jumpers were standing at the same
cornors-lt seemed as If he had been
gone only day. With the old sights
ana sounds, Bob's old feelings revived
aud he almost dreaded 10 see, debouch
ing from some alley, "A detachment o
boys, sent by his ancient enemy, the
schoolmaster, TO know who had beer
playing iruani, aud to carry him back It
receive the customary wallopIng.
When he was quite near home, he
said,
Joe, | wonder if any body's found thai
old pilcherF
He stopped down, thrust his arms IN
der the stone steps and Withdrew the
identical piece of earthcrn-ware he had
deposited there just four years ago.
Having rnsed and filled il at the pump
he walked into his mothers house, and
found her seated in her accustomed arm
chair She looked at him for a minute,
recognized him, screamed, and exclaim-
ed
Why Bob where hare you been
What have you been doingi'