Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-18
literature.
BENNIE's LESSON.

interesting DOOk, Dub nc cOuiunt feou IL De- |
cause he was taking care of Jennie" His
mother had gone to Boston. II seemed to
Bonnie that she was always going to Boston
and upon this Wednesday afternoon, when
the boys were having their game Of ball, it
was particularly trying. "1e might be with
them having such good time If it wasn't
for the baby"
Well, there could be no harm in just look
ing at the pictures at any rate. So he took
the book from his pocket, and very coon had
entirely forgotten his small charge. She
was happy little lady, and enjoyed herself
in her own baby way, pulling the flowers,
choice and common, then toddling upon her
two wee feet, or creeping upon all fours, just
as suited her fancy Once she found herself
at the gate which was wide Open Should
she go out into the great world and get lost ?
No, Jennie thought she wouldn't though she
received numerous invitations from the pass
ers-by.
At last the bright eyes espied hole in the
hedge separating her garden from the next
door neighbors, and she crept through very
carefully, losing her white sun.bonnet, how
ever by the way, and found herself on the
edge Of large strawberry bed. All here
was something for her small fingers and sharp
little teeth to do Jennie knew very well
what strawberries were, so she crawled into
the middle Of the patch and sat down there
very busy and very happy for half an hour.
AT the end Of that time she came forth from
her hiding place looking almost like NAM
moth strawberry herself.
But Bonnie was far of in iairy-land and
kaI oil AboNh o hoI gia
ter. He hardly took his eyes from the book
until the story was finished, then he closed
it sorrowfuly and put it in his pocket.
81 wish there were fairies now" he said
to himself a How pretty they would look
popping up from these lilies. Little bits of
things, not half as big as-Why, where is
Jennie 2"
He came of the fence with jump. He
searched in every part of the garden without
success. At last he spied the little bonnet
lying Just where the baby had dropped it.
Aha, Miss Jennie" cried he, you've
been visiting, have you" but there was no
reply.
Just at that moment he heard fearful
barking; it was Ponto, the neighbours savage
Watchdog, and his poor little heart almost
stopped beating as he thought that his baby
sister might be at the mercy Of that fierce
animal.
What if Ponto should get loose = he
said to himself.
His face was very white as he crept
through the hedge just as the baby had done
He looked at the place where the dog usually
stood, chatting and fretting at his cruel chain
but he was not there.
e" I'm not afraid of him." thought brave
little Bonnie. He knows me, but Mr..
jackson says he shakes cats all to pieces.
He don't know Jennie. She creeps some
times. She's SO little p'r'aps he might think
she was cat, and"
He couldn't think it QUIT was too dread
full but he glanced furtively about, almost
expecting to see the ground strewn with bits
Of the little cambria dress or apron.
Suddenly the dog spying his small friend,
came joyfully toward him rejoicing in his
stolen freedom Bonnie tried to speak. but
he couldn't he could only look, his eyes
large with terror as he saw that Ponto had
something white in his mouth which he was
shaking gleefuly. He came nearer and
nearer, and at length he dropped it at his
feet He stopped and picked it up. 1t was
the DaDy apron.
Poor little fellow ? There was moment
Of dizziness, of horrible, deadly sickness, then
he forgot everything for time
When he awoke, he found himself upon
his own little bed at home, and his mother
was bathing his aching head with camphor
Gradually everything came back to him. and
he tried to whisper an inquiry about the
baby, longing for and yet dreading the an.
swer.
Yes, | know" replied mamma. Il
wouldn't try to talk now
She looked very sober and anxious, and
Bonnie felt the terrible numbness creeping
over him again. He looked at her appeal.
ingly, and at last found strength to gasp.
Is-she-killed?
KILLED Oar baby?' exclaimed hi,
mother in establishment. "No, indeed She.
sound asleep in her crib, covered with straw
berry stains from her head to her feet
Bonnie shut his ,'but the tears cam,
softly through the closed lids
| thought Ponto had shaken her, saic
he. after a moment He had her apron il
his mouth, and
He shuddered
- thought the mother, much reliey
ed, so that was the Cause Of my boys sud
den illness, was it Poor little fellow :" auC
she kissed him tenderly
He did have her apron, mother repeat
ell Bonnie, anxiously.
So he did, and shook it all to pieces, bu
Jennie wasn't in it, Little witch she mus
have taken it off, though how she did it
can't imagine At any rate, she walked int,
Mrs. JacksCn's kitchen without it, and find
ing herself in strange place, cried at tn
top of her little voice. Bridget went for he
and put her to sleep just as she was. As 70
poor old Ponto, | am afraid his chain vii
be stronger than ever after this
Bonnie shut his eyes again.
Mother" said he, after pause
Well Bonnie"
~ | didn't take good care Of Jennie thi
morning. Ireal my book almost wishe
she'd never come
Why Bonnie !"
&" don't wish so now, mother. hop
she'll stay always.
4" God was very good to give her to u
Bennie," said his mother earnestly. "W
should miss her sorely, if He took her away.
Bonnie looked distressed, but didn't SPEAK
"Though it would still be all right" sh
continued. lie would take good care {
her, and she would be such happy littl
angel"
" But mother" exclaimed Bonnie "
want her"
- And we've got her" replied the mothc
joyfully, as they heard a faint rustliug frol
the crib.
And she went Tor her darling, whose fl
,xytnnlal a1ufil.utlt e
" mamma approached
81" Put her in here, please, cried Benni
And dear little Jennie, in the excess
II L l.. i.