The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-12-27
Cbc Californian.
THE LITTLE PACPER.

..iri q. i've wears. the cnlv mOnrner for III,
silent mart brnra,h Friendlcss, hopeless
homeless. she had weit I'LL she had no more
tears 10 shed. and now sI,e stood, with he
srsnty clothing fiu:ter:r;. IN the chill wind
pressing her little hands tightly over he
heart as ii to still is bratinys.
Its no use .rcttfr,.," said the rough mar
As he Stamped the last shovel full of earth o
yer all ,l,e child had left to love; "frettn.
won't bring back the dead folks to life pit.
YOU hadn't no ships cousins Somewhere tt
take YOU; its tough wourld, this ere:
don't seq how you are going to weather it
Cues, Ill take YOU round to Miss Fethcr
bees, shes got power OF children and
wants hand to hell her, so come along
lf,ou cry enough to float the ark it wont dc
Won no good" Allie obcy.c him. mechani
callv. turning her head every few minutes tc
take another and yet another look to where
her mother lay buried.
The morning sun shone in upon an under.
ground kitchen in the crowded city. Mrs
Fetherbee. at,ired in CAV calico dress, with
any quantity OF tinsil jeweiry. sat sewing
some snowy cotton lire on cheap pocket
handkerchief \ boy of five years was dis
putting with 4 little girl OF three. about an
apple. From big words they came TO hard
blows; and peace was finally declared at the
price OF an orange and stick Of candy
each combatant putting in" for the biggest.
Poor Allie. with pale cheeks and swollen
eyelids. was staggering up and down the floor
under the weight of a mammoth taby,w was
amn>in. himself by pulling out at intervals
hand!uis Of hair
Quiet that child can't veg" said Mrs.
Frther bee, in no gentle tone. IL don't Won
der the darling il cross to see such a solemn
face. You must yet little life INFO vou some
how, or YOU won't earn the salt to your po--
ridge. here. There. declare, you've half
put his eyes out with those long curls dam.
ling around come here. and have EN- cut
Off; they don't look proper for a chauy
ciId" land she glanced at the snort. shabby
crops or the head of the little Fetierhres }
Allies lips 1uivered as she said, Mother
used TO love to brush them smooth every
morning; she said they were like dear lit
tie sisters; please DON'T" said she brseech-
inglv.
Blu: tell YOU do please cut EN-. so
there IS an end TO MM," said she, as the sew.
cred rin.i"ts fell in shining heap ofshe kitch
en- Dor land DO. for creations sake, stop
talking about dead folks. and now eat vo,;r
breakfast II YOU want it. forgot Won hadn't
hal anv-thrrcs >oEe Of the ch,idrcn's left :;
ii you're hungry it will 20 down, and if YOU
amt. YOU can 20 without
Poor A,!ie. The iaintiast morsel wouldn't
have gone down. her eyes filled with
tears that wouiln't be- forced back. and she
sobbcl out must cry il YOU heat me Tor it
my heart pains me 80 bad"
"H-it-y-Ti-t-y. what's all .hi. ?" said a
bro,t faced, rosy m'lkman. as he Sc: bis shin
ing ran down on the ktrhen table whats
all this, Miss Fetherbce 3! I'll as lief eat pins
an! needles as hear cI;l'' cry Who IS she"
pointing at Allie, and what's the matter CT
Der :"
why. the long and short Of it is. shes a
poor pauper that we've taken in out OF charity
,nd shes crying at her good luck, that's all"
said the lady, with a vexcd toss of her head.
That's the way bcnevolenre is always re-
wardcI. Nothing on earth TO do here but
tend baby, ard amnSe the children. and run
to the door. and wash the dishes, and dust the
furniture, and tidy the kitchen. and 90 Of d
ew erranls un"ratriul little baggage"
JiInmy's heart vas as big As bis farm. (and
that covered considerable gronnd) and .ian
ring pit'iu'Iy at the little weeper, he said skill
fully. That chilI's going to be sick. Miss
Fetherbee. and then what are YOU gong to do
with her : b-sides. she is too Young to be of
much use to YOU you bad better let me take
her"
"Well. ! shouldn't wonder if you was halt
right" said the frightened woman; "she's
been trouble enough already; III give her
quit claim"
"WIil You 90 with me, little maid :" said
Jimmy. with a bright. good na,ured smile.
"lf YOU please" said Allie. laying her little
hand co'.ilngIy in his rough palm.
''>t by me closer" said Jimmy as he put
one arm around her, to steady her fragile
figure, as they ratified over the stony pave
mehtS ':we shall soOr he out of this smoky
Old city (ronsarn it! | always feel as if was
poisoned every time come into town: y and
then we'll see what sweet hay fields. and new
milk. and clover blossoms. and kind hearts
will do for you. YOU poor little pucked chick
en-! Where did YOU come iron when you
went to live with that old Jrzibe :"
"From mothers grave, sad Allie.
''Poor thing. poor thing ~ said Jimmy.
wipins tear away with his coat sleeve
"Wel. never mind; | wish ! hadn't asked
you I'm always running nv head asin a
beam. DO You like to feed chickens. hey !?
Dad YOU ever milk COW ? or ride on top of
a ha. cart or 90 berryng? Do you love
bouncinI red apples, and peaches as big as
your fist: 1t shall go hard il you don't have
EN- all. What's come OF your hair. child !?
have you had your head shaved :"
"AIiss Fethcrbce cut it of. said She
"Ihe old sarpenf, | wish Id come quicker.
Was it yourrurls them young 'uns vera play
ing WITH Well. never mind" SAID ne look.
ing admiriag'y at the sweet face beside him
YOU don t need EN-. aud they might get YOU
to looking ~ the glass o;.ener than was GOOD
for you"
"Weli, here we are, declare, and there
stands my old woman in the doorway. shading
her eyes from the sun. guess she wonders
where raised you
Look here. Befsey, do you see this child3
The -arth Is fresh on her mothers grave
She has neither kiih nor kin I've brought
her nom that old skinilnt of a Fethe-bee's
and here she is: If YOU like her, it's we'll and
good. and II yon don't, she'll stay here Just
the same ; but ! know YOU will" said he,
soaxnI!y, as he passed his brawny arm round
her cAr,ciols waist land now get her some
:hlns that will bring the color to her cheeks,
for. mind you, Ill have no white slave on my
:arm"
How sweetly Allies little tired limbs rest.
ed in the fragrant lavendered sheets. 4
tear fingered On her cheek, but it's birth was