Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-23

| must keep tnat throopence. What 2
shame for gentleman TO do such thing as
give bad money to a child like that
" Please, sir, know he did MT intend it
he spoke kind to me he did MT know il was
bad"
The jolly baker looked attentivcly at the
little boy.
90 See here, my lad if you knew the coin
was bad, the sin will be heavy on you; but
believe you did not you wanted food for
your mother, and you would not let blame fall
on the absent,--two right things God help
you, child !" he added, pityingly; " you
look half starved Give me back that loaf,
and here is bigger one; and, missis hand
over one Of those ounces Of tea and half
pounds Of sugar we made up for our poor Gus
toners; and there's three sound penny.pieces
for you, little one only always look to your
silver before you pass it in future "
Joe could not speak for quito minute I;
he walked to the shop-door, and then turned
back
IF you please, you do not think knew
that money was bad 2
"No."
Thank you, sir. Tll-neyer forget it,
never, sir and giving vent to one largo
sob, he left the shop.
There was feasting in the windows attic
that night to be sure, Joe was obliged to
make candle-screen with his hat, or thepoor
thin little candle would have been blown out
by the wind that whistled through the chat
tering window; but there was a blush cup of
hot water with an infusion of tea and milk
and tiny little fire and there was much
thankiuness for what would have seemed to
many very small mercy and there was
earnest prayer and huddled under their scan
ty clothing, the mother and child slept sound.
ly, and awoke in the morning to the conscious
ness that as the snow, having found its way
through the broken panes Of the attic window,
was heaped on the floor, and the neighboring
roofs and chmneys were like mountains of
&" dazzling white" there must have been a
heavy fall " during the night.
We're showed up, joe said the poor
widow and the end will soon come this
cold will kill me"
"Not bit Of it, mother" said little Joe,
cheerily, while moulding a SNOWFALL out of
the snow on the floor.
shall 60 out as a snow-boy, while you
remain there, just as l wrap you up, and see
what lots of cash shall earn. God has sent
the snow to be our friend the snoto shall
make us fire ! "
"My poor manned child " whispered the
widow to herself; "but God has graciously
given him a cheerful heart "
The snow had fallen as heavily and rapidly
in London as in the country. When Joe got
out at the street door the streets were nearly
blocked up, the omnibuses did not run, the
few cabs that appeared came out with all the
dignity of pair Of horses but the most
remarkable thingof all was the intense silence
of the immence city. Although Kensngton
is generally considered quiet, dgnifed sub
urb, yet it has, in our opinion, more than
fair share Of noise and hustle but on the I'd
Of January it was as though we were stickon
with plague. The only sound in our villas
was made by the rough voices of specializing
navgies, who kept continually suggesting that
we must have the snow cleared, 80 Clear your
snow !"-terrifying the servants by informa-
tion conveyed down the areas that if we did
not clear our snow, we'd be had up and pun
ishod worse than not sweeping chimneys
regular it war"
Boys crept about with shovels and brooms
but were kept in awe by the navvies, who
monopolized the trade.
Little Joe was somewhat perplexed, after
his determination to 90 out as " snow-boy," :"
by the fact that he had neither shovel nor
broom.
After a little consideration, needless of
snow-drift or snow-shower, he took his way
to the bakers, and entered the shop hope
fully.
Drat those boys" said the bakers wife,
they neither give nor take rest What do
you want now2
Please, ma'am if had broom and
shovel | could earn something for my mother
by clearing away snow"
Well"
9" L thought the good gentleman here, who
was so kind to me yesterday, might lend them
to me. Mother and had beautiful tea last
night--thank you, maam; but we have very
little of anything for to-day"
The baker entered the shop before his wife
had time to answer.
"A shovel and broom, is it7" said the
jolly baker. "And because was kind to
you yesterday, you expect me to be kind to
you to-day7"
"Hope, sir, not quite expect"
"Ohl oh said the baker, Z" chops words,
does it 7 Aud if did lend them, how do
know you would return them :"
81 would promise you, sir mother knows
| never told lie in my life you might go
to mother and ask her."
The baker lent the child what he request
ed at five o'clock he had not returned.
" | told you so," said the bakers wife.
"Yes, my dear but as you did not be-
lieve what you said yourself, how could you
expect me to believe you2 The child has an
honest face has, am sure, been well brought
up; and, moreover, is very like poor Lyddy
Boyd"
"She was a fool" said the bakers wife.
" Because she married the man she loved ?
Did not you do the same2
81 did not marry scamp" answered the
bakers wife; and though she was busting the
counter with her apron, she looked proudly
at her husband at the same time
"Here comes our little snow-boy," said the
baker, as joe weary and foot-sore, but smil-
ing, went past the window.
"Heres your shovel and BROOM said the
little fellow, "and many thanks, sir and,
please, | want a twopenny loaf and here are
the coppers,-l made tenpence halfpenny
and at one house the lady, besides the money,
gave me this tract, and great bun"
(Which you ate said the bakers wife.
40 no " he exclaimed | kept il for
mother"
What is your mothers name ?" inquired
the baker
Mrs. Lloyd, SIR"
Mrs. Llloyd2" he repeated. Lyddy
Lloyd ?"
+" don't know, sir, as to the Lyddy
never heard her called anything but Mrs
Lloyd. call her mother"
"Was her name Boyd before she was mar
ried 2"
at might be, sir she has brother,
know Uncle Boyd"