The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1867-01-18
for the Children.
Burning Lamps. 80 Il Premium
Story.

which paper we copy.
Rite, coming home from her errand,
wiped her feet full five minutes, with pain
full and conscientious care, then fingered.
hesitased, and finally lifting the latch
noiseles>ly, peered anxiously through a
crack into the bright interior.
''IIelIo." cried Van, in voice like a
trumpet. ''Late, aren't you2 but you
needn't sneak in tonight, my dear goose;
The dragoness is gone, wing and sting.
Come in Let's have jolly time"
20, hush, Van :" cried Rite, in Il
frightened voice, while larger section OF
brown calico timidly intruded itself upon
the clean, bright kitchen. ''Wherc is
Aunt KriSsy ?"
Gone. :" cried Van, executing a mar
velouS gymnaslic feat on the red bricks in
front of the blazing fire. '.Old Mrs.
Lamb has very fortunately had Il stroke
ot-of"-
''Paraplexy," suggested Rite.
Yes, to be sure,' laughed Van, ''that's
the word. Well, they sent for Aunt
krissy, and O, how bad she did feel about
I it. You see she didn't know how to re-
fuse, and yet the very idea OF leaving us
mice 10 have Il &C oil time together, almost
killed our dear aiiectionatc oil cat"
30, Van, VAN" cried Rite
Its true, though. don't believe she'd
have gone at all i'll hadn't pretended |
didn't know how to live without her. and
begged her TO hurry back az soon aS she
could. There, now, look grave, Miss
Phari,ee. You know you're just as glad
us am i'll your cowardiy little heart
1T IS nice" said Rite, knee.ins before
the blaze.
'.t'ur instance" said Van. "you can
sit OH the floor now without being raped
OH The head with Aunt kri>>y's thimble."
but don't suppose it is right 10 >il on
the floor" said Rite. u"easily-
Total depr;vlly," cried Van.
"Nan, said Rite. earnestly, "lct's have
Il good time, bu, don't lets talk against
Aunt kri>>y At least mustn't be 50
mean Isn't Size just making me 4 new
cloak and bonnet p Why, what would
have become of me when grandmamma
died. if Aunt kri>~y hadn't taken me -
10, you'd just have died Ike the babes
in the wood, suppose. and the Robins
would have covered YOU up with straw
berry leaves, c"ough siyht better than be-
inc tucked in. with Scoldin". under one
OF Aunt kri>sy's Eorrid calico counter
pane>."
Little Rite put in disclaimer
"IIu~h, don't interrupt. Father pays
my board here, and can say what |
choose. and | will, too. The day talLer
comes for me, I'm @oin" to tell her what
think of her. III sav, Aunt kriS>y,
you're an obstinate, cantankcrous -
Rite stopped her ears.
'.And you think So. too roarcd Van.
pulling her hands away. 'Only you're Il
coward"
Rite shook her head Il won't think
so, and won't Say 50, she cried. ''Lcl
ne 90, my lamp is going out. -
"Your lamp" exclaimed Van, looking
so hewiidcred That Rite laughed.
Yes, a lamp that l promised TO keep
burning
That's a joke, suppose said Van
slowly, ''though I'm sure | don't see the
point. Aunt krlssy would never allow
t you to kecpa lamp burning, ] know
But Ido," persisted Rite. still smiling.
Il carry il around with me-"
"Do YOU burn kerosene or whale oil -
asked Van, Sarcasiicalv.
"Il you'll promise not TO say anything
more against Aunt kri>>y Tonight, Th
tell YOU
agreed" said Van,
"Wcll,' began Rite, .'Grandmamma
used often to tell me about 4 feast that
WAS 10 he gwen some time upon the mar
riase of Il kings son. Every one who Is
invited is given Il lump to carry till lis
time for the palace doors TO be thrown
open, and they must be very careful 10
keep this trimmed, and full OF oil. for no
one c:,n 90 in TO The supper, unless he car
ries bnrning lamp. 81, Is no one
knows exactly when the bridegroom will
come, ii is very dangerous 10 let The lig t
90 out"
..Pshaw,' exclaimed Van. throwing
himself back with yawn. Il ought 10
have known what 10 expect. | thought
it would be a kind OF 4 fairy story, like
Aladdin and lis lamp, or something nice.
but you're always laying Il trap TO Sprin.
something out Of tie bible OH me- You
didn't suppose Id know 50 quick, did
yo"? You can't humbug me-"
Rites face was flushed and downcast
She always thought it was such a beauli-
ful story.
Van telt uncomfortable. "WelI, Rite.
don't want It be mean, but I've got 81
tired learnin" those hundreds of verses for
Deacon Goodwin's prize Tomorrow
did mean to cram fifteen cr twenty more
this evening. but guess Ill let it 90. I'm
pretty sure I'm way ahead of all the bows,
and | don't believe there's Il girl who'll
come within fifty Of yoa. Won't we feel
fine tomorrow night, with our two ele-
CANT bovks 2"
Rites face was radiant again.
And Rite said Van, pleased with
his success, II don't care if you tell me
Il little more about your story. What is
the lamp, now? l don't quite under
stand"
1T is our lives, our examples" said
Rite, timidIy.
| nd whit l. the oil nray D, continual