The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-28
ClaslDREN,s DEPARTMENT.

BY MARY d. CUELLIs.

JuSl az ulButlull ~ IOuBl-lOOhlnH man
was walking past "Chestnut Woods" when
he fancied that he saw some one gliding
stcalthily through the underbush, as though
seeking to avoid observation He stopped
and looked more closely; but now there
was not so much as the. rustic of leaf to
betray the presence of another. He turn
ed into narrow foot path; and at that mo-
ment boy sprang up from behind a clump
of bushes.
is this you, Cray?" he exclaimed.
"What on earth are you here for at this
time of day, and what have you got in your
hag?'
"1'm going home, and I've got chestnuls
in my bag was the reply.
''But | thought the chestnuts were all
gone.
"They be. They was most gone when
began to pick. But Mr.. Oliver said might
have what was left; and so I've been in the
woods every day this week. I've got every
one there was"
can right. But what made you skulk
along SOP"
Because--because-- was afraid some
body'd see me and tell father. If there
should, he'd sell them for rum. There don't
nobody know only mother You won't tell,
will you, Mr.. Weston?"
mot a word, Cray. You needn't be afraid
of my getting you into trouble. What have
YOU done with your che,tnuts?"
"Mother's hid them somewhere, and,
when Mr.. Waters comes along, she's going
to buy me some shoes with them. han't
got any shoes"
$50 that's it Well, you need the shoes.
and, if you don't have quite enough, tell
Waters I'll make it up. Hen trust me, if
do get drunk once in while"
80 Mr.. Weston. I wish you didn't.
You'd be so good, if you didnt and per
haps fatherd be good, too, if he didn't
drink rum"
lie ought to with such a boy as you be.
If my Jimmey and his mother had lived |
should have been different from what now
be-" And as he said this Mr., Weston brush
ed the tears from his eyes, lyon wont
meet your father to night. He gots some
money to spend before he'll come home
so hurry along to your mother and good
luck to you both
The speaker was one of those men who
are usually described as good-hearted,
kind and generous" He had a true Yam
kee genius for the Yankee trade of tinker
ing, and, wherever he might 60, was rea-
sonably sure of being welcomed as the very
person whose presence was most desired.
He might have been rich, and yet he was
poor, living in bit of house on the fur
Their edge of the wood.
After he parted from Cray Thornton, he
walked slowly and irresolutey; sometimes
stopping for a moment, as he thought sad.
ly of his wasted life. lie was never i'll
natured or quarrelsome, but he was his own
worst enemy; and this he knew so well that
he needed not to be reminded of the fact
+
A week had passed, when he saw Cray
Thornton's father enter the miserable grog-
gerry which by compliment was called the
'corner store He quickened his steps,
and rushed in just in time to see the bag of
chestnuts carried by Mr.. Thornton poured
into half-bushel measure.
"Hold on, there - he exclaimed. "Them
chestnuts are stolen property, and | can
prove it, I've done some mean things in
the way of drinking, but never got so bad
as to steal chestnuts from boy. Thornton
stole them from Cray. know he did, and,
if there ant enough here to see fair PLAY,
it's pity. Cay han't got pair OF shoes
to his feet and he picked them chestnuts,
one by one, after everybody else got
through Thornt ton, you're brute, if YOU
sell them for liquor. | never abused my
boy, and, if he'd lived he shouldn't gone
barefoot such weather as this. If you've
got human feelings, you'll stop drinking,
and take care of your family
You're fine fellow to preach" was re-
sponded sneeringly. "lll quit drinking
when you do"
Take your oath on that z"
''Ycs I'll quit when you Co."
Then here goes--l never'll taste another
drop Of liquor while | live. SO help me
Cod"
With his right hand still upliftcd, Mr..
Weston regarded his companion with n
fixed look, until the latter, rs if moved by
a sudden impulse, raised his own hand, and
repeated the very words have transcribed
so help me God" Once, and again, was
this adjuration uttered reyerently and sol
EMMY.
II will take back Crays chcslnuis," then
said the father in husky voice
Without hesitation or remOnstrance they
were returned to him. The spectators
were awe-stlucK by what had occurred, and
the silence. oppressive though it WAS. re-
NAMED unbroken.
Mr.. Thornton left the store, followed
close by his friend. They, too, were silent.
Ii was no time for talking but from that
day there was plenty in two homes where
had been poverty, and happiness where had
been fear aud wretchedness.
Cray Thornton's chestnuts were Ike
priceless gems the ransom of Two souls
from the thralldom of q drunkard's appe.
titc.