St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1872-06-21
flor the Children.
A New "Goody Two-Shoes. >

Miss Morton, the teacher in the West
District SchoolhOuse. III Elmdale, had
rulng her silver call-bell for the morn
ing session of her school, and when the
boys and girls were seated and all were
quiet, she read some Bible verses gen
tly and solemnlv, as was her custom
"Wcre the Bible verses selected pur-
posely p" thought Lily Moore; the
verses were from John, and their bur
den ran, Little children, love one an
other"
The Lords prayer and the singing
being concluded, Miss Morton took up
her record book and proceeded to call
the roll.
Carrie Low ?"
Present" answered Carries silvery
voice.
Lily Moore p
present" replied Lily, displaying
three dimples.
Louise Vest" At the calling of
tins name there was no response. and
Miss Morton, rapping upon her desk
with pencil, repeated the name.
''She isn't here" piped Lily, nodding
at the empty seat beside her, all her
dimples i'll full play.
Miss Morton looked up surprised. and
noticed Charlie Moore's hand raised to
attract attention.
What is it, Charlie ?" she asked.
while Lily'S dimples disappeared as
she scowled at her brother.
don't mark Lou West. please. Miss
Morton ; she was here this morning in
the school-rOom before You came"
And where is she now ?" asked the.
astoniShed teacher.
"She went home again." said Charlie.
hestating. at wasn't her fault some
thing happened that made her cry, and
she went home" Then, CHANGING at
the clock, Miss Morton. my father
wants me excused to GO on an errand.
please may go?'
Yes. certainly and when your faith
er's errand is done, see Louise and ask
her to come back at recess
''Iesm returned Charlie. and hur-
ried out with IA happy smile. never heed
ing;Lily's. .scowls.
He ran all the way to the post office,
and then with the mail straight to his
fathers office. Here are YOUR letters
and papers. papa" he cried, bursting
i'll. What number boots does Lily
wear -
Dr. Moore smiled at his eager little
son, all ont of breath as he was. and
asking such "A very uncommon question;
but, seeing that Charlie was really in
terested i'll the reply. he said, as he
took the letters from his hand, Lily
wears number one.
And what do they cost. papa p
six dollars paid for the last
six dollars, papa - cried Charlie.
Those were her best boots.
And what do common ones cost p
From two to four dollars.
"Oh. dear" sighed Charlie. Il think
they are awfully high :" and he looked
so distressed that his father stopped
laughing. and kindly asked the cause
of his trouble. 'Why YOU see, sir.
said Charlie, coming straight to the
point .'th"r.'- littl" girl in our school
that's poor. Her mother takes care of
the school. and Miss Morton gives Lou
her schooling. She's awfullv smart.
papa she's kept at the head all this
term; hasn't failed or been absent or
tardy or whispered or-anything, You
know, and two of the girls didn't like
her because she kept above them. Her
folks are poor. YOU know. and she did
MT have any shoes. and her mother
didn't have any money to buy her any
and 50. rather than stay away from
school she came barefoot" here Char
lies eyes flashed and he looked very
fierce. land what do You think. papa.
Carrie and l. those two girls, mean.
catching himself quickly. Laughed at
her. and called her names. and the poor
little thing went home cry Wing. They
did it just to kccp'her from the head.
Wasn't ii a shame. papa ,
at certainly was. said the doctor.
heartily.
"Wcll. papa" continued Charlie. Il
Thought I'd buy her a pair of shoes with
my Foulth-ot-.IulN money but | can't,
if they cost :" much. I've only a dol
lar
That would buy slippers or shoes.
said the doctor: I'VE were speaking oi
boots"
Charlie frightened. "Thcrc's pret
tv kind of shoes that Lily used to wear
they button with Il strap round here,
You know" and to illustrate. he stood
upon one foot. claspiug the other around
the ankle with both hands.
ankle ties" suggested the doctor.
"lcs, sir said Charlie. Strengthening
again; "vouldnt those he Il good kind
what do they cost -
"They will do very nicely. and they
will he seventy five cents or Il dollar.
But. Charlie. boy, Nou must not expect
me to give you another dollar for til,
Fourth"
60 no, sir. | DON'T" Charlie answer,
ed promptly and honestly. Il never
thought of it. Where's the best plac,
to buy the shoes. papa"
AT Lemans." said the doctor.
well. I'll 90 there" said Charlie
E 'Good-by, papa p and he was gone.
DIR. Moore. from the office window
watched the eager little boy. as he raj
on his errand of kindness to Mr.. Lee.
mans store, and then with his precious
r bundle toward Mrs. Vests cottage
: Noble little fellow" said the father
proudly, as he gazed at Charles rapid
ly retreating fig ure ''he is always will
ling to deny himself to help others, the
$ dear boy and so my fine little Lily
laughed at poor Lou, for of course il
was Lily and Lou West, though Char
l lie didn't mean their names to slip out
: | must talk with my little daughter.
4 wish she was more like Charlie. What
can do to show my little girl how
: cruel and selfish she has been ?" and
for some time the doctor sat buried il
deep thought.
Meanwhile Charlie had reached Mrs
Vests cottage and found Lou seated
: on the doorstep. No traces of tears
stained her pretty face now, but an
anxious little smile was there, as hel
fingers flew busily over some clumsy
work, and every now and then she
glanced hurriedly at an old-fashioned
, clock within the room.