Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-31
Poor Dick.
BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN.

Every person at the South Eud knew
Dick Allen, or Daring Dick, az he wa
better known, either by sight or reputa
ton. He was the aversion of all good
boys, the horror of their mothers, and tn,
constant dread of all tho owners of mar
ket gardens or wel-flled chicken coops
An it invariably happened, if counties.
ears of corn juat ready for use We're stoler
one night, the next morning n little STRIP
of husk from the missing article, or n few
strands of silk were eure to be found tangl
ed in Dicks neglected locks, or someway
sticking 20 his clothes. He always denied
the theft. But who ever believed word
Dick said He had slept many night
in the station.house. and once or twice
had narrowly escaped criminal indict
ment Dick was always suspected, and
appearances were always aRainst him
Still nothing very dreadful had ever beer
clearly proven against him. except tina
his associates were very bad boya anc
worse men.
Poor Dick was without friend those
who called themselves 70 being really his
worst enemies. Dick bore the odium fol-
their nisdeeds,and sometimes the penalty
How often We eee II thns-persons whose
destiny seems TO be continual snfferinp
for the faults of Others
Dick was an orphan. No one olairned
him, and he knew of 40 living relative.
He lived with very doubtful character,
Pete Cooper, who mended tins aud told
fortunes for a living.
Dick had never been very merry, hut OF
late had been very gloomy. He spent
hours alone, with bis elbows on his knees
and head resting on his hands, thinking
plotting mischief, his companinna
thought sullen and lazy, Pete Cooper
declared.
One day in the early spring. when
Pete's business was very dull, he drove
Dick forth, telling him to go and turn a
penny by some means. Money must be
had. So the poor boy started in quest of
some employment
In vain, from ono place to another, be
tried. No one who knew him would give
him job. At length, far off from his
usual haunts, he saw several men clearing
up, sodding and trimming the trees and
plants in the grounds surrounding an
elegant residence. He made up bis mind
to ask to be allowed to help
But what's the uas p he said. 1t will
be like with all the others I've asked
Every body hates me, frowns on me, and
tells me begonel I do try to be good, but
it ant bit of use. All the world ssys
Pm bad and so I'n have to be, as long as
Pm in it. Pete Cooper says I'm bound to
be hung. What he says mast como true.
for he is the seventh son, be tells every
body. Bound to be hung The stars
told him l was !, If am. it will be sure to
be for somebody else. Lord, please save
mel l don't mind dying for somebody
else, but not that way. I've hardly silent
an hour since he told me that; I'm think |
ing of it all the time. I wonder if God
thinks I'm 50 bad a? He knows I never did
any body any harm in my life but never
40 good either, [ s'p9se. I dreamed last
night that mother was calling me to come
o her. Oh, if I could only gol If | could |
,nly do good turn for somebody, and
hen diep
He was leaning against the iron railing,
when the door of the great house opened,
md a gentleman and lady came ont and
descended the steps. The gentleman's
ace was cold and stern, but his compan-
on's gentle, sweet and beautiful. Dick
ioticed that, and started toward her to
,eg for work.
please, lady, be began, when the gen.
leman, raising his cane, exclaimed:
BE off with you, you young vagabond
'Ob, my dear, don't speak so harshly.
zee how miserably be looks. poor boy I!
Nonsense. He has a mis- 4rable bad
ook, see. The young rascal is just lott
ring about, watching chance to get in
nd steal something. Be off, before I call
policeman
Dick drew Off frightened at the threat
he gentleman turned to give some direc- ,
ions to the workmen. and then the poor
oy looked round. He wanted anothar !
limpse of the gentle, sweet lady. She ,
as looking at him--a sad, plying ex.
ression was on her face. She caught bis /;
70, and hastily opening her pocket-book,