Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-10
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ny 3. c. RopSrY

iuaiho VI iuhs iVcheii- ii--MVu Jvu SNOW uSi L
please ?"
| pressed the spring, and the little trinkei
few open. dare say the children expected
to see pretty face or lock Of hair but il |
they did, they were disappointed, for there
was only round piece of white paper, upon
which was written THou SHALT NOT srEAL."
Nettie's blue eyes and Charles black ones,
opened wide in astonshment
"Why, Uucle, how funny. What does
that meant"
" Its a long story" | replied shall | |
tell you ?"
"Oh do, Uncle Henry we'd like it so
much {"
Well, Charlie, was Just about as old as
you at the time Of my story long time
ago, you sec.
1t was three O'Clock on a sunny afternoon
in autumn, when our village school was dis
missed aud the scholars scattered in every
direction; some going home, others stopping
to play bali and marbles. alone looked
and tet unhappy, as set out by myself to
walk the two miles between the school house
aud my fathers dwelling. On the following
Saturday there was 10 be boys picnic at
Kellor's Wood, and each one was expected to
bring basket of something nice but ny
parents had refused to let me join the party
They did not like the character of some Of
the boys who were going. aud didn't wish me
to associate with them. This was why was
so soberly walking home.
had gone but a short distance, when
heard some one call
Hello, Harry 90 and the next moment
Sam Tribs, boy some years my senior, Joined
me.
Well, Harry said he, about the pic.
mic. Aint you going2 You'd better"
d" What's the use Of talking about it, Sam.
You know cant 20 without taking some
thing, and there's nothing to be got at home,
and haven't a penny"
Z" It's too mean," said Sam, sympathiziug-
ly; didnt think your parents were that
sort. | warrant my father would never be-
grudge me bushel basket full of goodies ''
81" It's not the eatables nor the money"
said |. hither dout care for them. I've
told you he didn't want me to go.
-" But why not what reason does he
give2"
" Redeemed, but said nothing.
a. Come, out with it, Harry he urged,
with a sharp look at my hot face.
- Well I'll just tell you, Sam. Father
don't know you and some Of the boys as well
as do, and he ,hiuks you are not the right
sort of company for me. There, now, dare
say, I've made you mad
" Sam bit his lips, but he said
"a Oh, no, you haven't but its too bad
you should miss all the fun. just because your
= father has some absurd notions about our SCI
+ being little wild. | tell you what, Harry
can't you manage it without bis knowing
II Without his knowing = cried |. &c
| without permission ?
i " Ga, nonsense, Sam said; don't pu
G on such long face. | dan't suppose YOU
r father really objects to your going -onl,
e thinks it's wasting money
/ 90 don't believe that said hotly.
J. "' do then" replied Sam. But lool
: here, want you to 90, and I'm sure you
IS father won't begrudge you basket of thos
d fne pears in the corner of the garden they
!. be just the thing
It 80 But, Sam, father has only two trees &
q that sort, aud never let me touch them
"' On, well and good, said Sam shrug
ging his shoulders. | thought you wante,
e to go, or | wouldn't have spoken Of it.
o didn't suppose Mr.. Franklin would mis-
e II few; he doesn't count them, does he
q Of course didn't think you'd tell. Bui
t good bye and Sam turned away
! All the way home Sans words were
} ringing in my ears. At first was inclined
/ to be angry with him, but the more | thought
about it, the more began to think my father
S mean aud hard-hearted So by the time
n1 ,,,fp1 IL, TO. O.,
o the picuic, whether my parents wished it OF
n not, aud to take the pears with me too.
r ran into the house, picked up basket
: and then hastened towards the corner of the
garden where the pear trees stood. They
were beautiful, and some of their branche'
G were so laden they almost touched the ground
J 81 glanced round. Was anybody looking
Not soul--only Peto, my pet dog, stretched
e on the ground near me- looking into my fac,
I with his great brown eyes.
", Peto won't tell, muttered, as | stretched
i forth my hand aud graspcd a mellow pear
d aud then in quick succession there dropped u
half oozen or so Of the golden fruit. Then
I gave the branch a gentle shoke, and dow
came shower ; hastily filling the basket
y flew, rather then ran, out Of the back gate
through the old apple orchard aud over higt
d hill. behind which was Mr.. 1rihs' house. San
/. was in the cnrdcn. and 10 him intrusted m,
= treasure, for dare not leave them al home
/. he received them with lond lauch and
knowiug wink
!. "On the Gollowing morning NV father cam,
i 10 the brenkfast tabie with dark cloud q,
e nis g,ee Mother nnxionslv manfred vba
; was tho m,,,er e,r mv E,ther ala not ps,,ll,
e have a clonaad look
e -, Matter he answered WHY some on
4. has heen rohb;no nv Gnost mar troes If
ever ca,ch ,ho ro,,,es I'M m,te ,hem ma,
Iearlv Harry mv bov vou mus, keen Won
ewes omen md Gnd ont Who thew are and III
,,,ve vnn 3. halfdoilari
OF Shame flushed my cheeks and mutteret
of I'm try, sir My good father little though
III the thief was sitting beside him in the perso
n. ofhis own dear sou. tell you felt especiall