Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-16
Johns Bargain.


4 don't like you at all, Maidie Royal.
You are real naughty little girl aud |
won't play with you any more-so !'
Madic looked very much grieyed, and be-
gan to cry Mr. Royal was sitting at his
desk, writing, but at Johns emphatic words,
he glanced up, and said to his son, in very
grave voice,
John, come here"
was just going out into the kitchen, -
stammered John, coloring. 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, sir2''
" want to know how much you will take
for your share in Maidc ?'
John looked up, surprised
" don't know what you mean, he said.
Why" explained his father, since you
have done playing with Maidic, 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 2'
How much money, do you mean, papa ?
"Yes."
"l guess I'M sell her for fifty dollars,
said John. after few moments reflection
% Yes, will--foy dollars"
Very well that is quite reasonable,
said Mr. Royal Now YOU must remember
that as am going to buy all your right tc
Maidie. YOU have nothing more to do viii
her. You must not kiss her, or speak to her
or play with her any more. She is YOU
mamma's little girl and mine, no, yours at all
1t Is bargain, is it, John ?"
Can't | kiss her good night when we g
to bed?"
No
Can't we 20 out doors togetherl" john
voice began to sound little unsteady. No'
know our garden, papa 2"
You will have to make another some
where else. will find you a place. Yo'
must not work in the same garden any more.
d" shall have to load her to school, papa
she will get lost if don't, just as sure a
anything"
@Iwiu attend to that, John. You vii
have to 60 TO school by yourself. Is the bar
gain made ?"
" Yes, sir--l suppose So" and John cas-
a doubtful look at Naidie who stood clos
hy. with her doll in her arms, and tears o.
her long eyelashes.
Very well, said Mr.. Royal. "Whe
YOU want the money, you can ask me for II
You may 60 now"
8" / know what | mean to buy" though
John. running to the other end Of the room
and sitting down in the broad, cushioned VIII
dow scat I'm buy pony and a saddle
and a gold watch, aud a sail boat, and lots q
other things that I've been wanting eve
since | was a little boy
The idea of these splendid acquisitions wa
so pleasant that he wanted to share it wit
some one, so he cried out,
Oh, Maidie, you come here, and I'll te
, you what I'm going to buy with my fifty do
lars.
Stop, stop" cried papa " have you toi
gotten so soon that you have no right
b speak to Maide She doesn't belong to yo
+. at ALL"
; A cloud came over Johns face, and he 81
very still for long time, thinking, and b
and by two or three tears fell. Maldie an
he had played together ever since he coul
r remember-such long, long time and st
was the only little sister he had in the worl'
real teaze sometimes, to be sure, but the
/, how could he get along without her II
i looked slyly out from behind the window Gu
i tains to see what she was doing.
How pretty she looked, sitting in hig
chair beside her father, with book
colored pictures open before her, and HI
sunny eurls falling over her rosy cheeks an
; white neck Wasn't she better than sa
n boat. or a gold watch, or even n pony ?
d .. Yes. indeed, thousand million times
B thought John and yet I've gone and so
J. her for fifty dollars, and | Almost know tn
a papa won't take it back, cause it was re
d ular bargain. o, DEAR dear y
/. Here the tears began to flow faster al
1f faster and presently choking little sob q
- tracted Mr. Royals attention. Then anoth
], and another and then John jumped doV
I GFQp tbG Tiiggdaagy wig dagy seat, and running up to tt
burst into such a passion Of tears that Maid
N was frightened and began to cry too.
70 Why, what is the matter, my sou " as
ed Mr.. Royal, kindly.
I-I-I-don't wa-want to-to-s'
0 nv right to Maidie," answered John, as w
as he could, for weeping.
Why-not for fifty dollars ?" ask
d papa.
Il " Oh, no." said John, " no indeed, not I
IN fifty million. VIII you let me have h
back again, please, dear papa and dor
believe III ever be so naughty and Gro
again as long as live"
n Very WELL" said Mr. Royal, smiling
$, " Since You wish it so much, will give
my part of the bargain, and you may ha
YOUR little sister back again, but | hope y
will think another time when you are tenn
'p ed to speak 10 her as you did to-day, how y
ne would feel not to have Maidie at all,
n II guess | SHALL" said John, giving her
>" good hug aud kiss " love you, Maidie.
&" So do you" said Maidie' returning, t
caress. " Now let's 60 out in our garde
John.
y, n' So away they ran, hand in hand, as mer
an as the birds that were singing up among I
on boughs of the old butternut tree.--H'
let 4" Little Maidie"