Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-04-14

about her lips.
IA robins nest, ma'om." lie was no liar,
with all his faults.
80. / wouldn't" Her voice had a grieved
tone. at would be such pity, when the birds
have just finished it. Are there eggs in p"
81 don't know; III see" and he climbed rap
idly to the nest. "Yes ma'am, four" lie
didn't touch them, but came down again to the
lowest bough.
"There'll be little birds, soon, then, and it'll
be so pleasant for me to watch them l wish
you wouldn't touch them"
81 won't ma'am. didn't want it for myself,
but poor little Tommy said last night he wished
he had string of birds eggs to look at. Tom
my is lame, ma'am, and can't get out much, and
he gets lonesome, and wants something to play
with. So | thought I'd get him some"
"ls Tommy your brother"
"No, ma'am. l never had any brother or
sister, either" His voice softencd as he spoke.
ale belongs to the folks where | stay"
"l'll send Tommy something as pretty as
birds eggs. See here" and she broke off a
large bunch Of lilacs and handed him the pur
pie plumes. Garry this to him. Put it in
pitcher of water, and it'll keep fresh several
dsys; nd here are some flowers for you," and
she gave him the little bunch of violets she had
gathered. "Run quick with them now, or you
will be late to school. You're going to school,
amt you ?!
care you the new teacher?"
"Yes'
"I'm going then; I'll be there in time,' and
he ran off
Now only the night before, he had declared
up and down to Tommy that he wouldn't 20 to
school. 1t was no use. lie never would be
anybody and he was tired of being tlogged and
beaten and boxed. He wouldn't stand it from
a woman teacher. And if they sent him to
school he'd play "hookey," he would Yet the
very next morning he was in hurry to go,
fearful he should be late. Who will dare say
there is not magic in kind words.
Miss Merton went early to the school house.
The "worst boy" was already there.
"Ah," said she, kindly, "you've beat me. But
I'm very glad you're here, for l want to learn
something about the school, What is your
name?"
"Bill IIcndrickson, ma'am."
"Say William, my dear, or Willie. Bill is
not pretty nickname"
ats what I've been called ever since my
father died." and he sighed.
"Then your father is dead, poor boy" She
spoke tenderly. "And your mother"
"She's dead, too, ma'am. She died when |
was a little baby. cannot even remember how
she looked" and new tears gathered into his
blue eyes.
weeps at the mention of his dead mother, can
not be all bad. And she laid her hands caress-
ingly on his brown hair, and said softly. II
know how to feel for you, Willie for |, too, am
an orphan"
That gentle touch. 1t melted the poor boys
heart entirely, but with the better feelings that
then surged over his soul came feeling of
shame too, and for the first time in his life he
blushed for his matted hair, and his dirty face
and hands.
II believe" he said after a moments thought
"Ill run downto the brook and wash myself
l forgot it this morning. No / didn't either,
| disdaining the falsehood. 81 was too mad to
do it, but I'll wash now"
"Do, Willie, that's good boy. / love to see
my pupils neat and tidy Here's a towel for
you to wipe on. | always bring one with mt
to school, for the little ones most always need
washing after dinner. And here are a pair o.
pocket combs-bran new ones. I'll give then
to you if you'll promise to use them every day
Willie ran to the brook and made such dex
ferrous use of the towel and the combs, that h,
hardly seemed like the same boy when he re
turned.
"Why, you're real handsome" Miss Mertol
spoke inyoluntarily, but she spoke the truth, to
he was handsome little fellow, with a high
fair brow, and wealth of nut-brown hair clus
tering about his temples, in soft, silky curs.
81 shall not have much time to talk to you
for | hear the children coming" and as sh
spoke little snatches of musical laughter cam
ringing through the open door; "but one thing
must say. | need your help, Willie"
He looked up, and his blue eyes diated il
wonder His help! What could he do to hell
her.
She continued 81 need your help, Willie
You are probably one of the Oldest pupils
shall have, and the little ones will all look up Il
you as an example. If they see you quiet man
nerly, orderly, faithful to your studies, an,
prompt in recitations, they will strive to emu
late YOU, and | shall have but little difficulty il
governing the school, but if, ON the contrary
you are noisy, forward rude, negligent of you
lessons, and dilatory.in coming to your class
they will imbibe your spirit, and shall go hom
every night sad and weary. Willie, you are Gu
out for a good boy" and she moved her han
over his now glossy hair. "Your head is goo
one. If you only guide it with your heart,
will make good, and perhaps great man c
, you. Can trust you, Willie, will you help m
G to make this school credit to the district?"
t Willie had never been talked to in that wa
before. lie had never had trust reposed in hin
e He hardly knew what to make Of it now, bu
he did not hesitate to say at once, 81 will hel
= you all | can. Perhaps ! shall forget some
e times, and act bad, because I'm so use to cut
ting up, that it'll 90 hard to be good all at once
, but if do, just look at me and I'll give up"
e The other scholars came in just then, an
f looked surprised enough to see Willie there
Y earnest conversation with the teacher. The
/ hung back bashfuly
"'rell me their names, Willie" said Miss Me-
, ton kindly and as he spoke each one, she too
t them gently by the hand, stroking the heads
t the little boys, and kissing the checks of ii
:, little girls.