St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-02-07
From the Atlantic Moathly.
COUPON BONDS.

NJn z certain Hliiu rS!hlCl eN SllliSS n. ~.
1864. the Ducklow, kitchen had 4 gen.
tra air of waiting for somebody. Mrs.
Duck!ow sat knitting by the light OF Il
kerosene lamp, but paused ever and anon
ncg!ecting her stocking. and knitting her
brow> instead, with an aspect OF anxious
listening. The old gray cat, coiled up
on Il cushion at her side, purring in her
sleep. purred and slept as if she knew
perfectly well who was coming soon TO
rccupy that chair, and meant TO make
,he most of it. The old fashioned clock, g,
perchcd upon the high man,el-piece OF
the low-studdcd room, licked away lone
~umciy, is clocks only tick when some
body Is waited for that does not come.
Even the tea-kctIle on the stove seemed
10 be in the secret,> ,>for it slmmered and
sane after the manner of Il wise old tea
kctIle fully conscious OF the Importance
OF its mission. The sidc-tabie, which
was simply leaf on hinges fixed in the
wall. and looked like an apron when ii
was let down, giving to that side of the
kitchen u curious resemblance to Mrs.
Duckiow, and rested On one arm when
II WAS up, in which position it reminded
Won more of Mr. Ducklow leaning his
chin on bis hand, the side table was sci
with Il single plate. knife and fork, and
cup and saucer, indicating that the per-
son waited for was expected 10 partake
of refreshments Behind the stairway
door was IA small boy kicking off a very
small pair OF trousers with degree oil
reluctance which showed that he also
wished to sit up and wait for some
Uody.
..Sav, ma, need 90 to bed now" he
exclaimed rather than inquired, starting
to pull on the trousers again after he had
rot one lee free. ''Ile'll want me to
hold the lantern for hlm TO take care o
the hoss."
NO. no, Taddy," for that was the
boys name, (short for Thaddeus,) 'you'i
only be in the way, if you set up. Be
sides, | want to mend you pants"
you're always wantin' TO mend my
pants :" complained the youngster, wh'
seemed to think that it was 10y no mean
to do him a favor, but rather to atfOr'
herself Il gioati.g pleasure, that Mrs
Ducklow, who had a mania for patching
required the garment 10 be delis cred W
to her. Il wish there wasn't such
tLiug as'pants III the world, :"
Don't talk that way, after all th
trouble and expense we've been to t
clolhe We '" said the good woman, re
prov mely. Where would you be now
it t wasn't for ne and yer Pa Duck
low ,
Il shouldn't be goin' TO bed when
don't want to p he muttered, just lou
enough TO be heard.
.Iou ungratetul child" said Mr.
Ducklow, not without reason, for Tadd
knew very well-at least he was remind
cd of the fact often eneugh-that h
owed to them his home and all his con
; torl>. "WouIdn't be going TO bed whe
+ VA don't want to, You wouldn't /
going to bed when you want TO, mol
likely; tor ten TO one you wouldn't hay
Il ed to 20 to. Think of the situalio
YOU was in when we adopted ye, al
then talk that way
As this was an unanswerable arGl
o. meat, Taddy contented himself viii
thrusling hand into his trousers al
a. +, ckitssly increasing the area OF the forI
n n coming patch eff she likes to mend
e. e. well, let her." thought he.
ng addy, are You tearing them pants
cried Mrs. Ducklow sharply, hearing
sound ;'larminely suggestive of crackil
threads.
81 was pullin' EN- off," said Tadd
Il never see such mean cloth ca,
touch it, but it has to tear. Say, m
do ye think he Il bring me home
;, drum p
You'll know in the morning"
81 want to know tonight. He IS
mabby lie would. Say, can't set up
t. 'I'll let ye known whether you C
set up, after you've been told SO ma
- tImts.'
So saying, Mrs. Ducklow rose FRI
=, .her chair, laid down her knitting wo
and started for the stairway-door W
I great energy and a rattan. But Tad'
who perceived retribution approachi
did not see fit to wait for it. He darl
up the stairs and crept into his bu
with the lightness and agility of a sgt
rel.
t. "Fm a-bed Say, ma, I'm abed J"
cried. eager TO save the excellent !;
ct the trouble of ascending the stairs. g.
i,nnst - l,o, "a ra.iy -,