Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-04-23

denly arrested by the sight of queer
looking bundle lying in doorway.
Bless my heart ! it's a child On
John, I'm afraid he's frozen =" | exclaim-
ed to my brother, as we both bent over the
bundle.
Such a little fellow as he was, in the
big ragged coat; such tired baby face
under the fuzzy cap such purple little
hand still holding fast few papers such
pathetic sight altogether was the boy, ly.
ing on the stone steps, with the snow drift
lug over him, that it was impossible to
go by.
" He is asleep but he'll freeze if left
long. Here. wake up, my boy, and 60
home as fast as you can,' cried John, with
gentle voice; for the memory of dear
lad safely tucked up at home made him
fatherly kind to the small vagabond.
The moment he was touched the boy
tumbled up, and before he was half awake
tegan his usual cry with an eye to business.
:. Paper, sir? Herald! transcript !
Last" a great cape swallowed up the
g last edition." aud he stood blinking at
US like very chilly young owl.
I'll buy them all, if you'll go home,
my little chap it's high time you we're
abed," said John, whisklng the damp pa
pers into one pocket and his purse out of
another as he spoke.
All of EN- ? why, there's six y croak-
ed the boy, for he was hoarse as raven.
" Never mind, | can kindIe fire with
'em. Put that in your pocket and trot
home as fast as possible.
Where do you live?' [ asked, pick
ing up the fifty cents that fell from the
little fingers, too benumbed to hold it.
" Mills Court. out of Hanover. Cold
amt it? said the boy, blowing his purple
hands, and hopping teeby from one Ieg to
the other to take the Stiffness out.
- lie can't 90 all that way in the storm
such mite, and SO used up with the
cold and sleep-John.'
" Of course he can't we'll put him in
a CT" began John, when the boy wheezed
out:
I've got to wait for Sam. He'll be
along as soon as the theatres done. He
said he would, and SO I'm waltIn
9" Who is Sam p | asked.
He's the Teller | live with. amt
got any folks, and he takes care O. me.
." Nice care, indeed F.; leaving a baby
like you to wait for him here such a night
as it is" said Grossly.
" Oh, he's good to me, Sam is; though
he does knock me round sometimes when
[ amt spry. The big fellows shove me
back, you see, and [ gets cold aud can't
sing out loud, so | don't sell my papers,
and has to work 'em off late
" Hear the child talk. Doe won ID
think he was sixteen instead OF SIX
said, half laughing.
I'm most ten HI amt th.t d
stoner p cried the boy. US gust of slee
slapped him in the face, and When 1t
peeped to see if Sam was coming, Halo
the lights is out Why. the plays done
and the folks gone, and SIMS torgo5 me-
/ 1t was very evident that San mad iot
gotten his little Droteye, anl i stroug dc
sire to shake Sam possessed me,
." No use waitin any longer and 40 y
papers Is sold, ain'5 afraid to 90 home
said u little old man with his rheumatism
and preparing to trudge away through the
storm.
&" Stop bit, my, little CAsabinaca d
car will be along in fifteen minutes, am
while waiting you can warm yourself over
there said John, with The purple hant
| in his.
My name is Jack Hill, not Cas.l
Banks, please sir" SAID the little party
with dignity.
Have you had your supper, Mr.. Hip
asked John, laughing.
" | had some peanuts and two sucks o
joe orange, but it want very film, he
said graveIy.
= | should think not Here. one stew
and be quick please" cried John as We
sat down in a warm corner Of the confec
toners, opposite.
While lutte Jack shoveied in the ho
oysters, with MS eyes shutting up now
and then in spite Of himself, We looked at
him, aud thought of a rosy face at home
safe in his own nest, with mother love
watching over him. Nodding toward the
ragged, grimy, forIorn looking creature
dropping asleep over his supper like a
tired baby, l said;
Can you imagine our Freddy, out
alone at this hour trying to work off his
papers, because afraid to 60 home till he
has ?"
I'D rather not try" answered brother
J ohm, winking hard as he stroked the lit
tie head beside him, which by the way
looked very like ragged yellow door mat
[ think brother John winked hard, but [
can't be sure; but | know [ did, and for a
minute there seemed to be dozen news
boys dancing before my eyes.
There goes our car, and it's the last,
said John looking at me.
LET it 90, but don't leave the boy ;;
and | frowned at John for limiting at such
thing.
Here is the car. Now, my lad, bolt
your last oyster and come on
Good night, ma'am Thankee, sir
croaked the grateful little voice, as the
child was caught up in Johns strong hands
and set down on the car step.
With word to the conductor and a
small business transaction, we left Jack
cooled up in corner, to finish his nap as
TRANQUILITY as if it wasn't midnight and a
g knocking round " might not await him
at his journeys end.
We didn't mind the storm much as we
plodded home, and when told the story
to rosy face next day his interest quite
reconciled me to the shifts and sneeges of
q bad cold: