St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-05-07
for the goung FOLKS.
Johns Bargain.

al. You are real naughty little girl.
and won't play with you any more
SO -
Nlaidic looked very much grieved, and
began to cry. Mr.. Royal was sitting at
his desk, writing, but at Johns emphatic
words, he glanced up, and said to bis son,
IN very grave voice,
''John, come here
81 was just going out into the kitcll-
en- stammered John coloring. 81 want
TO speak to Kitty"
''But | wish to speak to YOU" said
Mr.. Royal. SO John came slowly up to
the desk, with the look of a culprit on
his face.
''What, sir ?''
a want to know how much you will
take for your share in Maidie ~
John looked up surprised
81 don't know what you mean,'' he
said.
"Why," explained his father, ''since
you have done playing with Maidie, |
would like TO buy your share in her,-or
your right to her. Now you may set
your own price. How much shall give
you for her %
GLOW much money, do you mean,
papa ?"
"Yes."
81 guess FL sell her for fifty dollars
said John, after few moments reflection.
Yes, | will-fifty dollars"
every well that is quite reasonable
-,
member that as am going to buy all
your right to Maidie, you have nothing
more to do with her. You must not
Kiss her, or speak to her, or play with
her any more. She is your mammals
little glrl and mine, not yours at all i
it Il bargain, John %
Cant kiss her good night, when we
20 TO bed -
"No"
Cant we 90 out doors together p
Johns voice began to grow Il little un-
steady. ''lou know our garden papa -
''1uu will have to make another some
where else. | will find you place.
You must not work in the same garden
any more"
Il shall have to lead her to school,
papa she will get lost if don't, Just as
sure us anything
Il will attend to that, John. You
viii have to 90 10 school by yourself. l.
the bargain made ?''
"l-e-s, sir-I suppose so, and John
east a doubtful look at Maidic, who
stood close by, with her doll in her arms,
and tears on her long eyelashcs
"Nery WELL" said Mr.. Royal. when
E5l"l t"""i . may % now.
Il know what l mean to buy" tho't
John, running to the other end of the
room, and sitting down in the broad
cushioned window seat. ''Ill Duy po-
ny and Il saddle, and a gold watch, and
a sail boat, and lots of other things that
I've been Il wanting ever since | was a
little boy"
The idea Of these splendid acquisitions
was 50 pleasant, that he wanted to share
1t with some one so he cried out
''Oh, Maidle, you come here, and I'll
tell you what I'm going to buy with my
nifty dollars
stop, stop" cried papa ''have you
forgotten SO soon that you have no right
to speak TO Maidie She dosen't belong
10 You at all.
y cloud came over Johns face, and he
sat very still tor 4 long time, thinking,
and by and by two or three tears fell.
Maidic and he had played together ever
since he could remember, such long.
long time , and she was the only little
sister he had in the world real teaze
sometimes, TO be sure, but then how
could he get along without her He
looked slyly out from behind the window
curtains, to see what she was doing.
How pretty she looked, sitting in Il
| high chair beside her father, with a book
OF colored pictures open before her, and
her sunny curls falling over her rosy
checks and white neck Wasn't she
better than Il sail boat, or gold watch,
or even pony ''Ies, indeed, a thou
sand million times" thought John ''and
yet Eve gone and sold her for fifty dol
lars, and | almost know that papa won't
take it back, cause it was Il regular bar
| gain. OH, dear, dear ~
Here the tears began to flow faster
and faster, and presently choking little
sob attracted Mr.. Royals attention. Then
another and another, and then John
Jumped down from the window seat, and
running up to the desk, hid his face on
his fathers arm, and burst into such
passion of tears that NIaidic was fright
ened and began to cry too.
'.Nhv. what is the matter, my son p
asked Mr.. Royal, kindly.
.I-I-I-don't wa-want TOTO
sell my right to Maidie," answered John
as well rs he could, for weeping.
"Why-not for fifty dollars ;" asked
papa.
''Oh, no." said John ono indeed, not
for fifty million. VA you let me have
ter back again, please, dear papa and |
don't believe I'll ever be so naughty and
cross again As long as | live"
VERY WE'LL SAID Mr.. Royal, smiling,
"Since you wish it so much, | will give
up my part OF the bargain, and you may
have your little sister back again, but
hope you will think, another time when
you are tempted to speak to her as you
did to-day, how you would feel not to
have any Mdide at all.
Il guess L snail, SAID John, giving
her good hug and kiss. 81 love you,
Maidie.'
$50 do you,'' said Maidie, returning
the caress. Now let's 20 out in our
garden, John"
So away they ran, hand in hand, as
merry as the birds that were singing up.