Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-10


concluded that they would never come back
again. IL had proved their last cruise, in
deed
Aiier while, the money he had left was
gone, and Mrs. Temple had 10 take in sewing
to keep the family in food. She worked from
daylight far into the night, for wages were
low, and i took all her time TO get enough for
living.
" Are you going to hang up your stocking
Tonight, Billy ?" Prue asked Of her little
brother
" Dunno" answered Billy. Hanging up
stockings was something he understood little
about 4" What for, sissy Prue ~
" To get something pretty in," answered
Pruc Santa Claus comes tonight, and gives
every good little boy and girl something Oh,
| hope he'll bring me great big doll, like
the one Rosa Payson got last Christmas.
Did you ever see it, Billy7"
Billy answered gravoly that he never had.
"Oh, you'd ought to, then y said Pruc.
" It's ever so big, aud it's got eyes just as
blue as the sky, and real hair Rosa can do
il up like a WATERFALL too. And il can most
speak ; anyway II makes n noise, and that's
ever 80 much nicer than the dolls that can't,
you know, Billy"
Billy nodded, though hardly comprehend
ing what was said.
Mrs. Temple heard them talking, and in
spite Of all, the tears would come into her
eyes and blur them so that she could not see
to set her needle in the right place. She had
nothing in the world to buy anything for Prue
or Billy with; the work she was engaged on
must bring them food for the morrow.
BY and by, Billy got sleepy, and Pruc I'M
dressed him and put him to bed then she
undressed herself, too, and knelt down by the
bed, and said her little prayer, ending, as IL
always did, with the request that God would
please bring papa home; then she got up,
and was about to get into bed, but she evi-
IDENTIFY remembered something, for she went
10 the corner where she had undressed Billy,
and Mrs. Temple saw that she had got his
stocking when she came back. She hung II
on a chair by the bed, and ON another hung
her own; then knct down and prayed that
God would send her and Billy lots of pretty
things, for they had tried ever 80 hard to be
real good.
Poor little girl ~ Mrs Temple said, with
| a mist of tears in her eyes, "Ilow dsap-
pointed she will be If | could only afford
something, though ever so small but | can
not
prue woke up very carly next morning
She jumped out Of bed, and ran to the stock.
ings. There was nothing there and her little
lips quivered, and her eyes filled with tears
as she turned away.
"Oh, mammal" she said, very pitifnlly
" like enough God don't think we've beer
good children--Billy and |"
am sure he does" Mrs. Temple said, as
she bent down and kissed her little girl's
face. 4" Perhaps he wanted to see how pa.
tient and cheerful you would be in disappoint
ment, and has done this TO try you"
Like enough" Prue said hut she wal
more disappointed than she would own, for
she saw how much ii panied her mother; N
she put on--or tried TO. at least-her mos
cheerful look, and helped to get their simpl,
breakfast.
When breakfast was over, Mrs. Tempt,
went to carry home the work she had com
pleted, and Prue and Billy kept house unit
her return. When she came back, she brough
some little packages of sugar and rice ant
tea, and told th sm that she would mako then
a nice pudding for dinner.
won't that be nice, Billy?" cried Prue
1t was hot often that they dined on such lux
uries as rice pudding.
"Will it be sweet ?" asked Billy, who hat
vast liking for sugar and candy. Hisswee
tooth was large, you see; and as he didn'
get them very often, sweet things were grsa
fayorites with him.
"0f course it will be sweet" answere,
Prue.
I" You may 60 out till get dinner ready,
said Mrs Temple; "you and Billy. b
careful to keep on the sidewalk, and don
60 very far, for you might got lost, yc'
know"
Prue promised to be careful, and in
twinkling she had Billy wrapped up, and the.
were of for their walk.
They saw a great many things to interes
them. The streets were full Of gaily dresse
people, and carriages were driving up an
down, full of happy, laughing children, an
contented, comfortable looking grown people
Prue couldn't help surveying them, for the
| aaatned m have evervfhin0 thew wantad an,