Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-11-09

WuuuA VI huMuuuu ~ IL nttu Itiluiths
For some days their depredatons went on,
and now their revenge was at hand. They
knew it was Mrs Pinncker's time for bring
ing fruit for the Sunday pies, and they hid
about, here and there, to watch her 90 into
the room. They saw her put her bright key
into the lock, and 60 in and close the door
behind her.
Would she never come out ? Were they
to wait in vain for the pleasure Of seeing her
horror-strickcn face The bell rang, the play
time was over, and they were forced to fore
60 their delight but they saw her in the
house, in the dormitory at night, and She
looked troubled and perpexed
They were sure she had complained to tAe
doctor but he must have told her it was
fancy that the apples could not 60 through
the key-hole, and that the heaps were not
any less, as she declared they were.
Nevertheless they thought it best to rest
awhile, and allowed her to make another visit
before they took any more apples.
Thinking now that she was satisfied, they
went to work again, and the diminished heaps
left no doubt in Mrs Pinncker's mind that
thieves were somewhere. She had told the
DOCTOR and the doctor had told her she was
mistaken, but that if she saw any fresh signs
of theft She had better let him know, and
say nothing about it to any one else.
SO she went to him again with more con-
sternation than the doctor thought all the ap-
pies were worth but he said he would see
the apples aud Judge fr himself for by a
visit, now and then, he would be able to set
tie the question of theft or no theft so he
took the key.
Mrs Pinuicker seemed so quiet about her
second loss that the boys thought they might
venture a fresh excursion into her treasury
and, as it CHANGED, they on the roof hidden
by its ins and outs, and the doctor on the
walk beneath, were making their way at the
same time to the same spot
lie had let himself in and was looking at
the fruit, when he thought he heard a noise
above him.
He waited and heard voices.
He was almost as much frightened to fine
he had caught the thieves as he would hayt
been if they had caught him.
In nervous expectation he waited, wonder
ing where he should see them appear. wher
the basket slowly made its way through tn,
chimney-hole and gradually settled on the
hearth, the small boy in it not expecting any
company, and least Of all the doctor.
When he saw him (which at first he haC
not done, as his back was towards him he wa
so paralyzed with fear that he could not uttel
a sound The doctor observed this, and i'm
, mediately took advantage Of IL he put hii
finger on his lips as a sign that he shoul'
keep silence.
" Safe ?" cried voice above, which thu
doctor knew to be his nephew's.
The doctor made signs to the trembling ur
chin to say "Ycs, which he did, but in
i very husky voice.
" Load away, then, SAID several voices
, Whereupon the DOCTOR making signs to hin
of his intentions, and looking at the thickness
of the rope, whispered to him to give the ac
customed signal when he had taken his usua
/ time for filling the basket. Then, settling
himself with some difficulty in it, he allowed
! himself to be drawn up, to the utter conlus
ion Of the small boy, who deyoutly wished he
had never seen an apple in his life.
r "a good lot this time" said the doctor
t nephew
n !" Hes coming up with it, said another
e "Mind the rope don't let it Slip give
, another twist Well, think we shall hay
t enough to last, this time"
While they were rejoicing in the comm
spoils, the nearest boy caught sight Of tn
doctors hat and soon his face was visible, t
the horror and amazement Of all.
= Don't let me down among the apple
t boys" he said " have had some trouble
come up, and should like to stay here it'll,
!, if you please"
o There was no escape, no help for it; the
+ went on pulling and twisting till he was farl
$ landed on the floor
2 "My dear lads he exclaimed, when h
$ was out Of the basket, chow could you driv
= me to make such journey? | wouldn't 70
all the apples in England do it again NJ
it even if got them honestly"
It Seeing so little anger in his face, they cu
y tered round him, and made an awkward Al
s. tempt at an apology.
N Lads" he said, can't forgive you
If don't ask me. 1t is so very disreputablo a
1t affair that | wash my hands of it, and wi
-e forget it Immediately. I'm only very gla
le that no one knows it but ourselves. Are an
other of the boys concerned in it ~
c. They said they had trusted none young,
he than the one below
Is "I'm glad of it for your sakes. Here, i
Of us put these boxes straight, and untwist the
: ropes. | wouldn't have Mrs Pinuick,
e. know that you could so far forget your dut
to yourselves and to me, for anything"
tn They could have born scolding, learned
at lesson, or stood a Gaming; but this way
st meeting their msdoing completely overcan
them. They resolved, one and all, inward
in never to engage in anything unworthy agai
G. The boxes were speedily replaced, and Il
st ropes put right and to save the character
20 of the thieves, the doctor got by their hel
T. from the chimney As soon as he got in
III the house he sent for his housekeeper, al
Is. said
v, There are too many apples there, by ha
70 Mrs. Pinnicker I'm sure the boys cam
he have had enough mind that they have pie
il ty in the future. In fact, to prevent the
falling into the hands OF thieves, as you ha
d. supposed they do, it is better you should 81
of the key to the senior boys, and let them tai
e- sufficient quantity Remember, lads, n
" to be imprudent !" he added, filling up Il
d. confusion of the thieves.
be 8" If that wasn't enough to conquer al
les heart, | don't know what would be- said o
tie of the boys, many years after, in speaking
it. 1t had the effect Of making US forgi
he the housekeeper; for how could nee reser
nd who had been so nobly pardoned? And, mo
gy than that, it gave an effect to the doeto
tn moral and religious teaching which was me
i'm valuable to us We were sure he was 81
ut eere; we saw that he had none OF the mea
ness that he dealt so gently with, while
he must have despised it, and we were thorough
I'D ashamed Of ourselves"
It " 1t wont do to play tricks on some v
ng men A mau named Hotchkiss, in Newal
We the other night, thought he would have sol
fun in soaring his wife, by dropping loo
er brick down the chimney into the fireplace