Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-07-01
Youth s department,
Self-Denial.
ny EBEN =. RENF0RD,

Billy Dane had dollar,-a whole, new
dollar Not one Of those round, shining,
silver ones we used to see 50 long ago; but a
crisp, rustling paper one, with pretty green
face
Now it's a very nice thing to have whole
dollar for your own. But great many boys
are apt to think it great deal nicer if they
can have the privilege of spending it just as
they please, without having to ask any one
what they shall do with it, This was what
Billy thought. His father had told him when
he gave him this, that, as he had been good
boy, he should allow him to use it according
to his own judgment, and he thought he could
safely say that it would not be spent foolish
y.
What are you going to buy2" Nettie
asked, as she and Billy were in the sitting
room studying their morning lesson.
e don't know" answered Billy thought
fully. "1.want pair Of skates, but dol
lar won't buy very nice pair, guess, I'd
like pop-gun like Ned Ames' that goes off
with bang, like a pistol-but I'm afraid
Pa would think that was foolish"
"Oh, don't get one Of them," said Nettie,
who had a grlish dislike for anything resem-
bling a gun, "If had a dollar for my own
I'd buy dress for my doll, and picture
book, guess, and Oh, lots of things y
Visions of charming dresses for her doll,
bright colored pictures, candy for her " sweet
tooth, " and other things which could be had
for dollar, danced through Nettie's mind in
bewidering confusion
"Td rather have pop-gun than doll,
any way" Billy said, with very scornful
emphasis on the word doU
Nettie was about to resent the implied in-
/ significance of dolls, when their mother came
in and sat down to her sewing, putting a stop
to the conversation.
That afternoon Billy started off to spend
his dollar. He had determined to buy a book,
\ at first then he changed his mind and thought
| he had rather have picture to hang up in
his little bedroom. After that he had thought
the matter over, and come to the conclusion
that pair of nice gloves, with fur wrists to
them, would be very comfortable, and look
ever so much better than his woolen ones.
And between them all, he didn't know ichat
to get. So he went down the street, looking
in at the shop windows, and seeing great
many things that he would like, but which he
knew dollar wouldn't buy.
At last he came to the bookstore. The
windows were full of toys and books, and he
couldn't help wishing that dollar would buy
them all.
Down in the corner, close to the glass, his
sharp eyes spied book with green and gold
cover, looking as fresh and charming as a
patch of moss all laced across with sunshine
and on the cover was name that made Billy
determine what TO do with his dollar. Once,
at Cousin Grants, he had seen u copy of a
story-book that delighted him as no book ever
had done. The stories were so natural, aud
about just such boys as himself, and so won
derfully interesting too And he had never
quite finished reading the book, for it was q
borrowed one, and its owner took it away be-
fore he had got to the last page Now here
was chance to get it for his own, and he
had wished to have it so much OF course
Pa wouldn't think il foolish if he bought the
book, for he liked to have Billy read. very
much.
So he started for the door. just as he
reached the Threshold, he saw boy who hac
been standing by the window, looking at thu
things inside.
"Hellow cried Billy. Is that you
George Brown"
Yes" answered the boy, as he took hi
eyes from the window with little sigh
/" How do you do, Billy"
First rate answered Billy cheerily
School commences next week. Of cours,
you'll be there bright and early Monday morn
ing"
al don't know" answered George, slowly
can't work out enough to get money to buy
me any new books, and the teacher says W,
must have new readers and biographies, fol
the old ones are not going to be used any Ion
ger Mother has all she can do to get a liy
ing and she works so hard that can't ash
her to buy me the books, if don't have any
If could only get some work to do" anC
George sighed again, for the thought of stay
ing out of school greatly pained him. HI
loved his books, and study was pleasure
Some day, IL he could only got an education
to help him, he meant TO be man who couls
make his mark in the world.
Billy knew that he had made great plan
for the future for George had told him wha
he would like to be, and what he meant to d.
when he was grown up Quick Ms though
! Blly's resolve was taken.
; "Wait minute, George" he said, an'
disappeared in the doorway. Ina little Will