Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-03

ed his coat into pillow for use.
Jem kept watch beside her through the
long hours-the longest he had ever known
and he murmured to himself, drearily,
that they "must have got to some country
where the nights have dale more lin'th
TO em than they does at home" But the
gray dawn came at last without, and very
slowly the increasing light began to find
its way into the old car. 1t was still dark
and gloomy there, however, when once
more the train stopped. Jem sprang to his
feet again to make another effort to attract
attention and obtain release but scarcely
had he reached the door when he heard
key turning in the lock, and in a moment
tho door was thrown wide open, admitting
the first bright rays of the morning sun,
and also the astonished face of the official,
whose eyes opened wide with wonder as
they fell upon Jem.
"What on earth are you doing here ?"
he demanded.
"Waitn' for the door to open; an it's
been long job intirely, seein' I've been
all night at it," responded Jem.
"And how came you locked ?"
"Sure you ought to know" Jem retort-
ed growing n little belligerent as he re-
membered his long Imprisonment. "More
thin likely twas yersilf as did the lock-
in'r'
81 locked the door, anyhow, and you
could not have got in afterward," answer
ed the man, musingly-more as if speak
ing to himself than to Jem. "But-hallo! |!
little girl, too?" as Oak, aroused by the
sound Of voices, sat up and looked at him.
"Well, you are pretty freight! When did
you get into the car? and what did you do
it for?" he asked sharply.
"An' wasn't it standin' open on the side
track at Kane Station?" said Jem half
apologetically, half defensively. We got
in to kape clare of the rain"
"Been drinking, probably" was the
| questioner's sifrst inward comments but a
second keen glance at Jems honest face
dispelled the suspicion. He looked at Oak,
and the child came forward.
"We were going home from mill in my
grandpa's wagon" she said, "and it rained
so we had to stop. Jem fastened the horse
and wagon under tree, and we got into
the car, and l went to sleep. l guess Jem
did too"
"I guess he did, indeed a pretty fellow
he is to take care of little girls Well,
come here, little one, and I'll help you
out"
Are we very far from home? asked Oak
timidly, as she stood upon the ground once
more.
considerable distance, If you live any
where near the place where you got into
the car. It's too bad I declare Pm sorry
for you ~ But as he looked from one to
the other he laughed.
"See here Jem-that's your name is it?-
have you any money!"
"Niver clint !" said Jem independently.
"We've thraveled thus far widout lit, an
I'm thinkin' we must manage to go back
as chape."
II wouldn't advise you to try going
back the same way you came; you might
not get off at the right station" said the
stranger laughing again. 1.-THE first thing
you want is something to eat. If that poor
little kitten has had nothing since dinner
yesterday, she must be hungry. Here
Slipping some money into Jem's hand,
and pointing to building across the
street, "take this, and go to that restaur-
ant over there and get some break fast"
Jem obeyed with alacrity; and soon Oak
and himself were seated at comfortably
spread table, rejoicing in their freedom,
and finding out how hungry they had been
by the keen appetite now, but too anxious
to be on their journeying honeward to tar
ry long even over warm rolls and hot cof-
fee. Breakfast was therefore soon dis
patched, and they recrossed the street to
the depot.
Up and down the long platform they
walked oking in every direction but they
saw nothing of their stranger friend.
Business had called him away, and amidst
his crowd of duties he had forgotten them,
perhaps. Presently train came thunder
ing up in an opposite direction from that
in which they had come, and Jem, who
was watching every chance impaticntly,
rushed away to inquire OF some one
whittier it was bound. He came back tri-
umphantly.
"Thats the thrain for us, Miss Oak dear!
Well get aboord an b. goin' home"
They hurried into the car and seated
themselves, glad that their troubles were
so nearly at an end. Oak drew a long
breath of relief as she leaned back in the
comfortable seat, and Jem remarked with
a satisfied chuckle,
"They brought us all the way widout our
lave, an they'll have to take us back wild
out any pay"
But alas for the arrangement he had so
complacently made They had been but
short time under way, just long enough to
realize that they were indeed going home
ward, when the CONDUCTOR, making his
round, stopped beside them and demand
| cd tickets.
"Tickets, is - said Jem, scratching his
head ''sure we've none of yer tickets"
"Money, them" said the conductor i'm
patiently.
"An' we've no money aither," answer
| ed Jem; "though it's not Squire Ashleys
| darter that would be thravelin' widout any,
| if we hadn't been broaght off unbeknawnst
| to u.s.
81 don't know what you are talking about
my man, and I've no time to waste. Hand
over your fare"
| 'Dluh Jist pe teiilh We hau none r
responded Jem, emphatically.
"What are you doing aboard the train,
then?"
"DoiD' aboord? It's gon' home I am.
We got locked in car, and brought off on
| yer ould raleroad widout wantin to come
at all ; an it's goin' home we are now"
"rve got nothing to do with all that. II
you can't pay you must get off," said the
conductor angrily.
Then Oak looked up with a sudden
burst of tears
"Oh, no, no! don't put us Off! Jem has
not got any money-indeed ho hasn't-and
| | must go home to mammal
"What is it What is the mattor?" call
ed two or three voices from seats near