Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-06


said, and what was better, thought about
it too. lie never again asked to stay away
from school.
"Grandma's Little Black Boy"
Many years ago grandma lived in
pleasant town in Connecticut, far away
from the city by the lake which is now
her home She lived in large, white
house close to the street, with pretty gar
den on one side Of it, The street.door was
great green door with a queer brass
knocker on it, and two stone steps that
went down to the sidewalk, aud over this
door was a porch covered with climbing
honeysuckle. Grandma had three little
girls and one boy. She loved her girls
very much, but her little boy she thought
pretticst and brightest of ALL He had long
golden curls, a fair face, and bright, merry
eyes, and twas not strange that his mother
thought him the most beautiful boy in all
New England.
One Saturday afternoon, after giving him
his bath and combing his golden ringlets
over her finger, Notwithstanding all his
twitchiug and pulling, she dressed him in
new buff dress prettily braided with white
lie looked very fair aud fresh and sweet,
can assure you, and she felt very proud
So she gave him good hug, aud told him
to 90 and SIT on the front doorstep for
awhile, until she could go out to walk with
him. The children always loved to sit on
this doorstep, beneath its pleasant porch,
and watch the passers-by Willie's younger
sisters were now having their bath, the cid
est was busy sewing, so he was all alone,
which did not often happen. However, he
sat there quite patient for time, kicking
his heels against the doorstep, trying to
whistle, thinking himself great big boy,
aud watch ng couple Of butterflies chasing
each other. just as he was beginning to
feel very tired Of keeping still, down the
street came horse and wagon, driven by a
big boy whose name was Ben.
." Holloa, Willie :" said he, want
ride ?"
Nothing could have pleased Willie more,
and he fairly danced with delight as he an.
swcred " Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed, Ben !"
Ben jumped out, ran into the house and
asked grandma il he might take Willie down
10 the hat-factory with him, and said he
would take good care ofhim.
Now grandma knew that Ben was lit
tie needless, aud at first she thought she
would not let her little boy 90 with him,
but he begged so hard that at last she said /;
Yes, if Ben would take very good care of
him."
So Ben put Willie into the wagon
jumped in himself, and placing the little
boy beside him, put one arm around him
that he might not fall out. Away they
went down the street. Willie's curls were
flying, his eyes dancing with pleasure and his
mouth wide open, laughing at Ben's funny
stories. Down through the town they flew,
and many looked back with smiles upon the
jolly pair. When they came to the hat.
factory, Ben jumped out and whisked out
his little friend with such a jerk that Willie
laughed till he could hardly stand up. 10
they went to find Ben's father, aud Willie
trotted behind after big Ben, whom he
thought the smartest boy in the world,
Now in the factory there was large
room called the dyeing room, into the floor
Of which was sunk an immense tub full of
something just like ink, only thicker. Into
this the hats were dipped to make them
black. Generally this ink was hot, but on
this day they had no hats ready, so it was
cold. Ben ran through this room with
Willie at his heels, and forgetting the tub
OF ink, he turned around suddenly to make