Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-03-06
Our Syoung folks.
A Weeks Holiday
BY 5. ANNA FROST.

the ringing shout of pleasure, the banging
of the street-door, and the ulden opening
OF the one leading to the sitting-room, made
two ladies sitting sewing drop their work
suddenly, and look up for an explanation
of all this connection.
The younger ofthe two ladies spoke first
Gently, boys, gently. No school for
week did you say, Carroll ?''
the boys, obeying at once the low, sweet
voice OF their mother, came quietly to ber
side Two handsome. manly-lookiug boys,
evidently twins, and about ten years Old
Mr. Peters is obliged to 20 away for
week, mamma, and there will be no school
until he returns"
The other lady, whose white hairs and
wrinkIed face told her age, spoke then in u
fre tfu voice:
90 dear \ whole week with you both
at home all the time Dear dear! it will
be dreadful -
The faces Of both the boys fell, and all
the glad light died away. They stood silent,
until their mother spDle again
Carroll and Frank, she said presently,
" see # you cannot make grandma take
that back at the end Of the week. You
know what anuoys her and what plea>e>
her. Let me hear her say, when the bolt
days are over, that She wished they we're
for month instead Of a vice."
The boys looked at each other with faces
that did not seem 10 regard this as very
promising plan; but Frank said
We will try. May we 20 to the pond
now? The skating is splendid
-" Youmty 90, but be sure you are in
time for dinner"
Didn't slam the door, declare r.
said the old lady, as the boys left the house.
e How long will that last, [ wonder ?"
The morning on tie pond passed very
quicEly, and it seemed but half the actual
time spent, when the town-clock striking
twelve warned the boys that they must be
starting to reach home by dsnner-time
VINO cares for dinner?" said Carroll
" Mamma Will save Us something"
" But grandma don't like the table 10
stand urged Frank. Remember what
mamma said about making grandma sorry
when the holidays We're over
" Come along, then" said good-natured
Carroll. We can race"
Nearly at home, the bows suddenly
check ed their steps and entered the house
Win Huttl SuuAAlu- VI AOUtS 'IEIulLuA
liked neatness, and certainly, she had no
reason 10 complain of the clean faces. we'll /
brushed hair, and neat appearance Of the /
boys at dinner 1t was not easy for them, /
in the excitement Of the first day of I'M
expected freedom, 10 restrain their voices /
at table, and observe all the ecorum grand I
ma liked but they tried, aud succeeded
very we'll An afternoon on the pond again +.
was what they had promised themselves .
anc, dinner over, overcoats end mittens
were put on speedily.
They were kissing mamma for good-by, /.
when grandma said
=" | wish it was not so slippery. | want
some more wool very much, but am afraid I.
to 90 out"
Carroll looked at Frank, Frank at Car
roll. The same thought vas IN the mind
of each boy, but it certainly cost a strug
gle to speak There could be no skati6p
on the short winter afternoon if the long
walk grandma could not take was taken
Tor her by younger feet Mamma silently
watched. ! he young faces till Carroll nodded .
and Flank spoke:
" You know there is no school to-day. .
grandRa. If you will tell Us Just what
you want, Carroll aud will 20 for YOU.
we don't mind slippery walking"
q Why, thank YOU sa'd the old LADY.
- but you were gong to skate "
Tomorrow will do for that" said Car
roll, and grandma gave them their direc
tons, and sent them off with a loyipp
kiss.
But the next day was rainy aud warm
a sore triai Of patience and tenper for tho
house bound boys.
They knew well that their grandmother
loved them iondly, hut she was very old /,
and inclined to be exacting and fretful. so
that II was not easy to observe all the
rules for pleasing her. A shout that came
4 lmost unconsclously from boys heart
-ull OF pleasure would make grandma fret J
or ten minutes. Samming doors, racing
Oh the stairs, noises OF all kinds, want OF {
dirty hands. romping, all the {
Irregularities that are born in boy natures. !,
we're dire ofenses to grandma.
Mamma said no more TO the bows after .
he first day, but she marked with deem q
pleasure tie effect of her words The bows :
we're obliging, quiet, and polite to a mar I,
eel. and certainly no voices were louder j.
10 pleasure keener than theirs when out Of i,
he reach of graDdma's ears. 3
The week passed very rapidly. Other o
choars with the same freedom made par
es of pleasure, and Carroll and Frank ru
'und their time fully occupied with pleas al
ut pursuits. The most trying of all their NJ
,if-lmposed restraints was punctual attend III
nee at meals, grandma's sorest trial if
Isl egarded.
1t was such temptation to lie an hour
ter In bed when there was no school. to
1ger little later when out doors at din q
# or tea time, but the stimulus of max !
grandma glad Of holiday time kept the
US regular for the entire week. They
9uld offer each day to run errands to
Id wool for winding, to perform little
-vices, and did them cheerfuly when {
cir offer was accepted. They remembered
shut doors and keep out draughts and
re careful never to touch grandma's
rk, If upsetting everything else, in
riches for balls, skates, caps or books.
The week came to an end, and two bows -
e from the breakfast table one bright
7 to seek school books and states, and q
urn TO study. !
Wait, boys" grandma said as thew "
rted for the door. - L want to speak to
|. l am not sorry your holidays are