Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-06-03

poor old soul who had barely managed to
keep soul and body together by picking up
the most of her own firewood, knitting for
sale coarse blue socks, and a few other
sorry little shifts which her rheumatism
left available. Among other expedlents
she was wont to sell the few eggs laid by
half dozen hens, the gift of good far
mer hard by. These hens were the joy of
her heart, and were almost the only living
thing that cheered her lonesome life. She
owned, moreover, one particularly nice
apple-tree. 1t stood hard by the road, and
was very tempting to the boys as they
passed. On several occasions these two
lads in particular, Sam and Tim, had been
caught stealing apples from this tree, and
been sharply spoken to by the widow. 10
resent this they had been forming the
wicked scheme to dispatch her favorite
hens, when they were overheard by Paul
WELL sonny" said Tim, g what do you
saye If NUNS the word, all right, but
those chickens we mean to have, yon see,
sure, so we won't have any of your pious
games telling the old dame"
Paul looked up. He had made up his
mind q shan't promise not to tell, y he
said simply.
ooh. you WON'T" said Sam. You're
a nice one, YOU are. Just leetle tied to
your NANNY, / guess. Couldn't walk
quite as soon as some babies, l believe.
Well, We'll see about telling the old lady.
perhaps one of your legs can't hop quite
as fast as the other this time"
So saying, Sam caught an arm and lin
the well leg, and said, " Now hop on the
sore leg right along to the wider's, if you
are so fierce to gon'
The big drops stood on Paul's forehead,
and his face grew white with physical
agony.
"Oh, boys, don't take the chickens, and
I won't say word,' he said.
Not much, l won't promise that" said
Tim. Its none of your business any
how"
But she s so dreadfully poor" muir
INJURED Paul.
well, she's no business to be SO crusty
about the apples" said Sam.
Pauls sight grew dim, - can't promise
1t would be mean" he said slowly.
Just here wheels were heard
8 Let him 90, quick" whispered Tim,
and dropping the fainting boy, both little
!, ruffians ran for the willows.
"Why, what's the matter? said good
Mr. Brown, as he looked in amazement at
the almost unconscious lad. Mrs. Gale:
, Paul, | do believed" he added, rs he
stopped his horse and got out of the wagon
Whats the matter, my little fellow? " he
said kindly, lifting him in his strong arms
+ as tenderlv as if he had been a baby.
4 feel BETTER whispered Paul. g Please
carry me home, Mr.. Brown"
: "Of course | will said the kind far
: mer
, On the way thither the story of the at
| fto,. mi
!, his mothers charge, John Brown started
/ to have Justice administered to the youn9
reprobates.
: As he left Mrs. Gales house, Paul said
Mr.. Brown, please tell Widow Brag
den about the hens"
n Il guess there's no danger for tn
: chickens this time said the farmer, smil
e ing Your pluck has brought these
q scamps to terms. You're every bit a
: brave as any Union boy who died tightin:
d for his country"
L 1t was pleasant to see the honest enthu
siasm lighting up the sun-burnt, weather
4 beaten face of Farmer Brown.
: A smile fitted across the pale cheeks o
e Paul, and quiet tears ran down his mother
: face us she bent lovingly over her child.
! YES" she said, . think this is bein:
Y greater hero than even Hercules.
t Paul laughed. That's queer, he sait
1 81 guess Hercules wouldn't thank YOU
much for saying So"
> Il can't help that, replied Mrs. Gale
O You will be my little Hercules, hence
forth, and the words of the Lord tremble'
: on her lips: Whose oftendeth one O
+ these little ones, which believeth in me.
o were better for him that II milestone wer,
\ hanged about his neck, and that he wer
h drowned in the depths of the sea"