Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-04-17
A Silver Mug and a Mulberry Suit.
DY AMANDA =. JONES.

N AMANhA T. dNNLos
johnny Emerson had a new pair Of skates.
Santa Claus was to blame for that, but in this
case SSnta Claus had another name, think (;
for | am very sure that when was in the
store at Hunters Corners on Christmas Eve,
saw the little old gentleman buying them,
aud heard Mr. Hunter call him Grandfather
Emerson Still further, ! had seen a ten
dollar greenback taken out OF his pocket slyy,
aud handed over the counter, aud there was
not cent given back in change.
Dear met thought, "Sduta Claus is
either very rich or very generous Now
only paid two dollars for those had bought
to give poor widow Green's boy whem
caught crying in the corner Of the fence be-.
cause he had no skates. Il got called Santa
Clans myself for my paiu-; just as it wns
little old man, with an icicle on my nose, a
pack on my back, aud strcaks Of SCOT down
my checks .
Ten dollars So johnny Emerson had a
new pair Of skates and if ho wasn't in q
hurry to try them New Years morning, then
am just little mistaken. He was the
swiltest aud pretliest skater at Hunters Cor
ners, while Sammy Green, whose mother had
been too poor to buy him skates, aud who
never dared ask the boys to lend him theirs,
had never skated stroke in all his life.
Now, johnny said his mother, as the
boy buckled on his skates by the fire. instead
of waiting till he reached the lake, " You
must surely be back by | o'clock, or the tur-
key will be cold aud all the plum pudding
eaten up"
"Cold turkey is good enough answered
Johnny, and had rather have mince pie
than plum pudding any day but I'll try aud
be back by one. don't need to skate more
than four hours at time" And off he
went to join the other boys at the skating
place.
Now, all the village children, nearly. were
on the lake by Q O'Clock, chattering, scream
ing, and laughing, with happy hearts, bright
eyes and cheeks color Of juniper berries !
aud oh, how grandy they skated sweeping
off like the wind, gliding slowly back, wbizz-
ing away again, iu squares, in circles, aud in
paralelograms, and triangles lit fairly takes
my breath to think about them.
Sammy tched them awhile, with wander.
ing eyes, aud then sat down and put 90 his
skates How his heart beat as he walked out
a step or two on the ice think be was
trembling good deal, for after a minute or
two down he fell, and nearly broke his arm
striking against Joe Hunters new scarlet
sled, " Wldfre."
1t was bad enough 10 fall and be hurt, but
it was certainly worse to have dozen Of his
mates catch him at il, and raise great shout
as if getting hurt was the funniest thing in
the world. Sammy wanted to cry, but like a
sensible boy, got up instead and tried again.
This time he made out TO slide a little, but
threw out his arms so awkwardly, and made
such drol faces, that the laugh was louder
and longer than before.
What's all this ?" said Johnny Emerson,
as he whirled in among them.
Oh its only Sammy Green trying to
skate said Alice Parker, " and he does look
so queer in his old patched trowers and bob
tail coat, that used to belong to Santa Claus.
| guess. Only see how awkward he is
Just then three men rode up to the edge Of
the lake and shouted to the children that
they had something to say which was import
ant they should hear. So they all focked
together ike so many red'wiDged hamingoes,
eager to hear what was coming.
Mr. Hunter stood up in the sleigh and held
out beautiful silver cup will give this
cup" he said, " to that boy or girl who shall
make the quickest time, skating from this
bent to SINNERS Point and back again.
Who'll try for it 2'
81 !! | :" answered hundred shril voices,
and such clapping Of hands, and hurrahing,
asking questions, that the gentleman could
hardly flush what he had to say
All right" he said as soon as he could
make himself heard " Now you may 60, ten
at time, starting off at given signal, and
when the first ten have tried it, another may
follow. will mark time for you and these
two gentlemen will stand by and see that you
all start fairly. First ten will start in five
minutes. Fail into line -
Then what hubbub there was among the
girls and boys But johnny Emerson stood
still, thinking and this is what he thought
1t would be good time to teach Sammy
to skate, while the rest are so interested
watching the races that they won't trouble US
believe III do it Its pity if he can't
have little fun on New Years day, as well
as the rest of us fellows. | need not 90 with
the 6rst ten, but if I'm not too tired, | will
race with the last. It's hard work teaching
boy to skate, though. Nobody knows when
he'll tumble down, aud have to be hoisted
up again and for the matter of that, hall
the time he drags you down after him, ant
bruises you rather more than is pleasant
But I'll stand it, for want Sammy to have