Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-12-31

was lying, Tor she was an invalid, and
could only 20 from the bed in her own room
to the lounge 10 the family sitting.room by
being carried. "Auntie," said Carrie
Uncle Amos does not much approve Of
our plan Of having Tom Stevens take care
Of my pony but ! think he will consent
when you give your word in favor of it,"
81 have been thinking good deal about
that poor boy lately" said Mrs. Benson,
turning to her husband 81 suppose he has
not a friend ia the world, and could not we
DO something for the Master by doing
little for himp
81 don't like to have him about the
house very well, he is such a reckle fel.
low, said the Judge, thoughtfully.
Yes, we should be obliged to watch
him very closely" said his wife; and il
would require q good deal Of patience and
care; but if We tried to do it for Jesus. IL
would make it easy | think" she added,
gently.
Bless these women" said the Judge,
laughing little. You make me ashamed
Of myself suppose | have had lty op.
portunities to say a kind word to the boy,
but have always given him a kick with
everybody else. / am willing to try him,
he continued, "and sec if we can find any
gold in the dross
My plan Is" said Carrie, ito engage
him for a week .ud il We csnpot get along
with him, We dismiss him, you know"
4 "Very well, !" said the Judge, we viii
give him a try. will see him when he
goes home from school"
Tom had astonishod the whole school that
day by perfect lessons and started for home
with his mornings resolve much strength
cued As he walked down the street,
Judge Benson stepped to his gate and said
" Thomas, ! would like to speak with you
minute Now Tom stood in some fear of
the Judge, and expected to be lectured for
some mi-damcanor he pulled his hat down
to bis ears, and twirling bis fingers awk-
wardlv, looked down the street Miss
Carrie wished me to ask you" said the
Judge if you thought you could take care
.of pony tor a week Her father is to
send hers down tonight, and my man has
full as much as he can do now Tom
faced round upon the Judge in sheer amaze.
ment. She seems to think you can take
better care Of him than any other boy can, ."
continued the Judge, and | am not sure
but you eau you try
81 have taken care Of the horses some
in Langs stable, said Tom, great desire
seizing him to show that be could do well
if he tried.
Very well 81 said the Judge, you may
come down tonight and begin your busi-
ness and Thomas, he continued, laying
his hand kindly upon Toms shoulder, why
not begin all new in your life and make up
your miud tl be a fine man? Any boy can
grow up into a fine man if he has mind to
10 10. aud &c he tries to do well he will be
sure 20 fnl friends The Judge turned
away, aud Tom walked down the street
towards his miserable homo with his head
fall Of new thoughts What day it had
been to him lie turned down a lane, aud
walked on sone distance so entirely alb
sorbad in his own thoughts that he did not
see Mr. Jones, who was coming up the
other way
"You are the very boy wanted to see"
he said, pleasantly. Let US sit down on
this stone and have little talk"
Toms first impulse was to skulk off, but
he thought better OF it and sat down Mr.
Jones then told him how much pleased he
was that he should have done 50 well in his
lessons that day, and Tom, before he hardly
knew what he was doing, told him of his
resolve of the morning and Of the troubles
he saw in the way. Mr.. Jones listened
with great interest, and encouraged him to
hold fast to his good resolutions, and prom
isod to help him in every way that he could.
Now, my boy" said he, as they started
to 20 home, This is a great undertaking,
and you cannot do it in your own strength
nor in mine; but you must 70 for help to
One who is always able and always willing
to help us in every good thing"
At the close Of the week, Carrie asked
her uncle if he had any fault to find with
her protegc,
No, oh no, my dear" her uncle ar
swerel, cheeriy; "no boy could do better,
think We will engage him for the summer,
aud if he does as well as he has this week,
| will keep him for a chore boy and do
well by him.
A year has passed Tom is still at Judge
Bensons, a neat, well-dressed boy, polite
and gontlemanly in his manner You must
not suppose he had no trouble in carrying
out his resolve, for he had a great many
hard, dscouraging days. but he found that
every battle he fought with himself against
his old habits made him stronger for the
right; and, best Of all, he learned to 60 for
strength to Him who is stronghold in
the day Of trouble. -CoagregatioHalia.