Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-05-20
Nj is c f L L A n Y.

BY MRS. II. L. G. AREY.

BY MRS. II. L. c. AREY.
Jingle, tnsln, tingle went the bell for the
Iteth time, as it appeared to me, that morn
*. wrote on the more rapidly from fear
another interruption; but nobody went to
he door, and presently the nerve of wire
hich ran kitchenward through the house,
6ngled again with II hdstier signal than be-
nan nerves that were waiting outside.
dolly, where's Kate? said |, clipping
he words short that they might be the less
Interruption to the paragraph which was un-
Fnding itself on the paper.
"Taty's done out doc, y said the little three
ear old, who was building royal castle on
he carpet. ! threw down my pen and went
hyself to answer the summons.
d" A tun of coal, ma am said the sooty
Mortal on the steps.
d" Oh, yes said I. remembering that the
ood man had remarked the night before
hat the winters supply of coal had given
ut, and that he must send up enough to
asst the remainder of the cold season.
Drive in at the side gate. and dump it be-
ond the wood yard you will see the place."
nd was closing the door hastily. to return
my work, for had just 50 much that
must be done before the sun reached the
middle OF his journey for the day, but the
un, forsooth, was getting on without any
bstacles whatever, while all the fates seemed
o have conspired to interrupt the race Of
ny pen across the paper.
Garry in your coal, ma am ?" said parti-
tolored boy, promptly presenting himself at
he orifce of the closing door.
"Not now," replied, IL have no time to
httend to it come at noon "
The hour Of noon pealed with provoking
ublee from the towers. The sun had finish
I'D his half days work faithfully and well Z,
but mine was not done; and still the pen
boiled YEARLY over the paper, in momentary
Expectation Of being called to account for its
delinquency.
you are not housekeepers, said def
hntly to the Ginning bells, and to the sun
whose rays fell with perpendicular triumph
on the cottage roof.
"A boy wants to know if he shall bring
in the COAL said Katy, presenting herself
at the parlor door.
"What does he charge for it?" I asked,
without stopping.
Katy went back for an answer to my oues.
tion, and in a moment reported two shillings
as the boys price.
"Ma." said my little son, who had Just
come in from school, pushing past Katy to
speak to me, "Ma, there's another boy says
he will do it for eighteen pence.
VERY well, take the cheapest one" said
], calling after Katy.
Yes, ma 'am.' called Katy, and the parlor
door closed upon them. But at the same
moment a boy passed the bay window where
was sitting, and raped at the library door
"What is it? said l, rappng at the
window with my ivory pen holder.
bring in your coal, ma for fifteen
cents said he.
VERY we'll" said l, supposing it was the
last boy. and weary of the interruption
"ohall bring it in?'' said the boy, with
frightening up of his face,
"Yes, yes.'
He turned hastily away with glad look
on his features, but just then two other boys
came through the gate that led from tn,
wood yard to the kitchen door, with thei
shovels. and commenced at abe heap of coal
The light faded instantly from his sallou
cheek he saw that he had lost the job, anc
throwing up both his arms, so as to catcf
hold of the picket of the fence, he bent hi
head forward upon the upper rail, and thu
silent tears coursed down, leaving their tracl
amid the coal dust that obscured his skin
The attitude was one Of such utter despair
that the busy pen was suspended a momen
that might look at him.
He was mere shadow in comparison witt
the other boys, who were now busy at thei
work, and who seeing his disappointment
raised their heads. and appeared to throw
him some bitter taunt. He paid no atten
tion to this, however, except to bow his hea,
lower on the rail; and saying to myself tina
his grief was probably caused by some boy
ish jealousy about the finding of work i wen
on NTH ,uritipn M,r lift1a hp,,
back from the kitchen, and stood with hi
hand on the back of my chair, waiting fo
me to lay down my pen.
What is the boy crying for ~ said h
presently. looking out Of the window at tn
little, thin gaunt figure that was leaning q
gainst the fence.
"One of the coal boys" answered. 81
he the ono who offered to do it for eightee
pence?"
"No, mamma, it was the one with tn
blue frock The first one was mad at hil
when he said he d do it for that; but whe
he found he had the job, he offered to hel
him, and tfey made a bargain"
"l am sorry, supposed 1t was the san
one,n said l, still busy at my work.
odd he offer to do the coal?'
Eyes for fifteen cents
"Well, why didn't hep
~ was too idte' Tue other boys were
ready there
us that what he's crying for?"
II suppose so. Don't disturb me-"
What did you tell him ? Mamma, maj
ma, do please tell Inc whether you told hi
he could do it,.
81 did my son, supposed it was the OF
er boy come around to this door,
at Is too bad" said Lewis looking lug
brlously out of the window. " Mamm
mamma he added, pulling my sleey
"those boys are plaguing him. Mayn't
60 and see TO themP"
| looked at the little sprig of a bow, who
chin was just high enough to rest on n
shoulder as sat, and laughed at the thoue
of his seeing to the brawny lads who we
bringing in the coal, Butwith this glan
at my eldest born my heart grew softer
the woes of childhood, and looked again
the one to whom the loss Of this piece
hard, dirty work seemed such a bitter drop
the cup Of grief. He had sank back fr,
the place where he stood, and thrown hi
self upon the box which had been placed
winter covering for my wall-howers, un(
my nursery window. could just see I
top Of his cap, where his head bent forws