The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-04-13
3touth's department.
"Tender Hearted, FOrgiving One An.
Other.''

offender Hearted, FOrgivlng one Ah'
Other.''
In the sweet June twilight. Willy Carter
came slowl, through Tie ciovc:-scented fields,
CARRYING very carefully little willow basket,
with the cover tied fast. A very satisfied
smile was tusging at the corners Of WHY'S
red mouth, and happy thoughts were dan
cling like fire-tiies in the twilight Of his great
grey eyes. 1t w.s SO pleasant walking there
SO quietly, with the red sunset still burning
in the west, and the birds grooming so sleep
lily from the trees, and then when, once in a
while, he took delighted peep through the
crevices of the basket, how could he help
smiling.
But suddenly. as he lifted his eyes, he saw
Jack Dawkins standing by the stile at the
end of the meadow. Now Willy was quite
afraid of Jack, who was rather mischievous
boy, loving 10 tease his companions. and SO
he turned quietly to 20 in another direction.
But Jack saw the intention, and called loud
y:-
Here. Will Carter, YOU blockhead, where
are you going So fast, and what have you got
in Your basket?'
Willy knew it would DO no good to run,
and so he thought he would try to be pleas
ant and polite, and perhaps he would have
no trouble. So he went forward as cheerful.
ly as he could, saying,
"Oh. Jack, what do YOU think. have
been over to grandmother's, and she has
given me the mos. beautiful kitten in the
world"
'Iet's see her" sad Jack.
VIII lifted the cover cautiously, SAYING
ashes so lively, she'd he out in minute, if
you didn't take care. Now die you ever see
such beauty''
Jack peered i'll curiously. "She is pretty
that's fact, just as white as snow"
There isn't black hair on her anywhere,
cried Will, with enthusiasm, sand I'm trying
TO think what name to give her. Pearl is
good, and Snow Ball, but grandmother call
ed her Lily, and guess l WILL too. Oh
you ought to see her run after q string
She rolls over and over like little ball of
wool"
What will you take for her ~ asked Jack.
Oh don, want to sell her." said Will.
with great apprehension, sliding the cover
over the basket.
Ill give YOU my top
No, don't want it,
My kite?"
Ave got one of my own
well" urged Jack, "wtat if should give
you my knife with two blades ~
"Ah," said Willy tLoushtfully, "Ma, be
you'd want it back again, and any way, I'd
rather keep the kitten"
"iou're mean, stingy fellow cried Jack,
angrily, "anl I've good mind to take it a.
way from YOU"
Jack" pleaded Willy, "you wouldn't like
to give me Your little dog Spot, woull you -
"No, indeed, love him as well as | do
myself"
"Then Why won't YOU let me keep my kit
ten?"
well, you're such girl baby, you don't
know half the funny things YOU can DO with
her"
"Why, what are they9'
LET me take her minute, and Iii show
YOU"
Willy didn't dare refuse, and tremblnsly
handed out his little pet.
WELL said Jack, I'm the first place you
can play hand-organ with her. You just take
her by the back of the neck, this way, and
then take her tail and turn it round and
round-just so. There" said he, laughing,
''do YOU hear the mer-Sic ?"
The poor kitten stretched out her little
velvet paws, and mewed pteously, while the
tears started to Wills eyes.
That's too cruel, Jack, you will twist he,
tail off,
well, then she'll be better off; fox sup
pose my dog, Spot, chases her, and she run:
Tor some hole. and .just has time to squeeze
in, won't she be great deal happier If she
don't have her tail to look after ?" and Jack
laughed loudly at this very poor attempt a
Wit
Poor Will Eow begged very hard that he
would put the kitten back in the basket, bu
all in vain, and he was just ready to despair
when he saw the school-teacher, good Mr.
Hope, who was taking his evening walk il
the fields. This gentleman. WHO had heart
the latter part Of the conversation. now step
ped up quickly. and ordered Jack to restore
the kitten, while he gave him severe repri
mand for his cruelty. Jack colcreI will
rage and shame, and whispering to VIII. II.
pay YOU for this some day he dar;ed acros
the fields. and Will FASTENED home to Iii
mother. You may be sure he had Ion:
story to pour into her sympathizing ears, bu
at last as he finished Sd! ing. Nov mother
did YOU ever know such hateful boy9
can't bear him, anil wish somebody would
cut of Spots tail"
His mother looked very sad and sail
MY dear. dear son, YOU do not know wha
YOU are saving. am afraid our great Fa