Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-16
ALLIES GIFT;
OR, TRUE IN GOOD AND ryrL REPORT.

L WIN iutlF perfume, tudN hlcudfu tfluuuil
with small bundle in his hand, crcpt from
the house stealthily, and darted quickl,
away,
/ The sun was not up, and everything wa.
quiet and still in the morning twilight HI
stole along the little path in the orchard ant
soon stood in front Of large white house
surrounded by trees and flowers of almos
every variety. No one was stirring within
all was silent as the tomb. He looked lonl
and wistfully toward one of the windows o
I the house, and at last he called timidly to tn,
sleeper within.
" Allie he said, " Allie, look out Of tn,
window"
No answer was made, and he called again
this time with more boldness. The shutter
was thrown open, aud bright head, with its
wealth of golden curls, appeared at the win.
dow.
Allie" whispered the boy, 4" am going
away" and wanted you to come down be.
fore co.
" III be down in a minute" was answered
in a pretty childish voice. And the golden
curs disappeared.
la few moments, which appeared like
hours to the anxious boy, the door was opened
cautiously, aud Allie Drummond came steal
ing out Her shoes were united and her
pretty curls had seen neither comb nor brush
that morning
Dick" said she, are you running
away ~
" Yes" said the lad, in solemn tone
A" and I'm going to stay till I'm rich man.
| can't bear to stay at home any longer, and
be treated like dog though if mother
were alive I'd bear anything rather than
leave her."
The sweet, blue eyes Of the little girl were
filed with wonder and sympathy.
" Dick" said she, shan't take any
more comfort after you are gone but you
will be much happier, aud I'm glad you are
going; and when you get to be a great man,
and are rich then you can come back, and we
will be married together, and never part any
more"
Yes" said Dick, that is just what |
am going to do, but it will be good many
years before | can come back and you'll see
a great many handsome men, and you may
forget me-"
" Forget you Why, Dick, you know
better said the child, pouting. " If you
never come back, I'll never get married in
all the world Are you going to the great
city that Uncle Alden told us about ?"
" | don't know, Allie" said the boy
have only five dollars, and that will not car
ry me far | shall 60 to the city if can"
They were silent moment, then Allie
said:
" Dick, must give you a keepsake, so
that you'll not forget to come back to me.
Wait here moment till come
Softly she stole into the house and up to
her room.
" Now" said she to herself, d" he has got
only five dollars, and I'll give him the money
papa gave me yesterday to buy that necklace
| liked so much"
She drew it from her purse, five dollar
bill.
' That will make ten dollars said she
" but what are ten dollars2 Sister Jane pays
ten dollars a week for her board"
She went to a trunk and taking therefrom
a little white box, she opened it, and there
lay beautiful diamond pin.
Aunt Emma gave me this" said she,
softly, "to wear when | am grown up but
they say it is worth great deal Of money,
and [ would much rather Dick would have it
than wear it myself"
SO she placed the five dollars besides it in
the box, and tied the cover on snugly and
putting it in her pocket, she glided down the
stairs again, and out to the great elm tree
where Dick was waiting for her
" Now, Dick said she, promise me
that you will not open this box till to-mor-
row night"
'' promise" said Dick and | thank
you for the gift, Alle whatever it may be-"
A stir was heard in the house, and the sun
was coming up behind the hills.
A." must 60 now, Allie" said the boy,
with tears in his eyes " Kiss me, and don't
forget me-"
- never will, Dick" said Allie, throwing
her arms about his neck and pressing her
pretty red lips to his cheeks.
Richard Crindall was sixteen years old,
and Alice Drummond was twelve They had
always been friends ever since Allie was a
wee baby and when the brave little girl
stole back to her couch, the tears were stream
ing down her cheeks. Richard was the son
of poor but honest man, who died when his
boy was only two years old, leaving nothing
for the support of his wife and child. Mrs.
Crindal worked for years and Levi Drew
asked her to be his wife, and 60 to his house.
She consented, thinking that by 80 doing her
boy might be better provided for; but alas
for her hopes Richard, though worshipped
by his mother, perhaps for that very thing
was hated by his stepfather and finally,
when Squire Drummond asked him to come
to his house and be his errand-boy, he went
joyfully and in the years he remained there
sprang up the friendship between himself and
the wealthy squre's daughter. Those days
we're happy ones to Richard but when he
had been there seven years, his mother died,
and her husband married again and as
Richard was a stout, capable lad, his step
father commanded hin to return and labor
for him. The boy obeyed but he was mis-
cradle there, and he spent hours planning for
the future, and at last resolved to run away,
Pretty Alice Drummond was the only being
on earth he loved, and to her only he said
goodbye
Years passed by, and Alice had grown to
be a beautiful woman, admired and fattered.
Many sought her hand but she refused them
all, for she had not forgotten the promise she
made to Richard Crindall, eight years before.
The winter of her Goth year, she was invited
by friend to spend the season in the great
city.
She went, and was the ctar in the brilliant
circle to which she was introduced She had
4 ~ l.. L. a. Tar