Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-09-09
The Disagreement.
AND WHAT CANE OF IT.

Oncc there was a little girl named Net
tie and she had brother a little younger
than herself whose name was Tom. Nettie
was nearly ten years old and Tom was eight
They lived on a beautiful farm in the coun-
try and one fine morning in autumn their
mother said to them, " Children, you are
very Send Of having nuts to eat 10 the win
ter, and | think you will enjoy gathering
some for yourselves Here is nice large
basket; try how soon you can bring it home
full Of chcstnuts"
So Tom and Nettie took the basket and
went of together very happy and they
found so many nuts in the wood that it was
not long before they had the basket half.
filled. But then it began to seem heavy,
and Tom exclaimed, "lm not going to
carry this heavy basket any longer! You
are the Oldest, Nettie you ought to carry
it all the time"
And Nettie said, " No, indeed, shall
not touch it again. Boys must always do
the hard work" And so they disputed
about it for long time, until at last Tom
threw himself down on the ground, he was
so angry. And then Nettie tipped over
the basket and ran away as fast as she
could 60, until she come to lovely lake
which she had never seen before and in
the lake was wonderful little boat, paint
cd green, and with fair, white sails; and in
the boat was the most beautiful lady that
Nettie had ever seen. She thought she
should be perfectly happy if she could only
in hat kOo nd NH ka utah
ing that the beautiful lady would come to
the shore for her, the boat began to turn,
all by itself, and to come towards her.
And the more she wished the faster it came,
until it quite touched the shore, and the
lady said, Little girl, would you like to
come and sail with me ?" So Nettie stepped
on board and the boat swung round again,
and very soon they were in the middle Of
the lake. Then the beautiful lady grew
sad and stern, aud said to Nettie, Little
girl, do you know where am taking your"
And Nettie was frightened and began to
cry, and begged to 90 home but the lady
said no, the boat could never sail towards
that shore when there was a naughty little
girl on board but that very soon they
would reach the Brook of Silence, where
Nettie was going to be a fish and never
talk any more for several long years to
come, and perhaps when they were ended
she might have lost the habit Of quarreling
And then Nettie remembered how she
had left her brother, but she little guessed
what had happend to him.
Now when Tom threw himself down in
the wood the ground began to sink under
him and before he knew what was happen.
ing be had sunk SO far that he could not
get out.
Poor Tom was very much frightened.
He bad heard of earthquakes and be began
to think he must have made one when he
came down with such tbump, and that il
was swallowing him up. lie seemed to be
sinking for days and days and days, SO long
that when he stopped at last, it seemed as
strange to stop as it had done to sink. Al
soon as he dared to open his eyes he found
himself in a beautiful green meadow, SC
large that he could not sec the end. AnC
there were shady trees in this meadow, and
the pleasant sound of flowing water.
Tom was just thinking that he nigh
find a nice place to sail his boat if he onl
had it there, when be heard gruf vote,
say, "Where is the boy ?" And then h,
looked up and saw that at one side of this fail
meadow was high, dark mountain--Tou
was quite sure it had not been there at frs
and q cave seemed to open in the noun
tain and four rough, ierce.looking mel
came out Of the cave. Tom thought the,
were coming towards him, and he tried t,
run away, but wherever he turned he saw
more mountains, and caves aud men, unit
the whole meadow was surrounded by them
Then the mountains began to come neare
and nearer together and they almost GOV
cred the meadow, and Tom heard some o
the men saying, 4" We must carry off thi
boy, or our fair land will be ruined, Just
his quarrels and selfshness have ruined hi
own life."
So great number Of the men came an
seized Tom to carry him off ; and though b.
kicked and screamed and struck at then
with all his might, it was Of no use. The,
were so many and SO strong that they carried
him very easily, and when at last they lief
him close beside pool Of water, they tolc
him that be should be frog for the mex
seven years, and that frogs could kick, AM
leap and croak just as much as they pleased
So Tom went plungipg about the pool
croaking dismally all the while, and wheI
he was tired of the pool he gave one grea
leap and landed in the edge of brooL
close by.
All the fishes started away, frightened a
such disturbance, but pretty soon on,
little trout ventured back to see if anybod,
was hurt.
Tom was croakiug more dismally thai
ever, and the little trout, who was learning
to be thoughtful and kind came nearer anC
nearer, until Tom looked so close into he
very eyes that be cried out Nettie!" will
great scream of joy. Aud Nettie woult
have screamed too, only she was fish ant
couldn't.
But Tom talked enough for both o
them, and people said, How noisy tn,
frogs are to-day"
He told her all that had happened t,
him, and that for seven years he could b,
only frog, and then he begged her t,
swim down the brook and come round L
the edge Of the lake where he could b,
more comfortable. So Nettie did Just wha
he asked, and 10 her haste to please hin
she swan straight over a water.lily which
was dropping little under the water
Then suddenly beautiful little fairy spranl
from the water-lily.
But Nettie was swimming so fast tina
she did not know it till she heard some
body call, 20, you dear little fish, pleas,
stop and let me thank you!" And Netti,
wondered If she could possibly be the FISH
who had done something worthy of thanks
30 she stopped to find out. and the fairy
came up and began to tell the story Of hel
life, how she had been imprisoned by cruel
enemies in that enchanted lily-cup from
which she could be released only when il
should be touched by the fms Of trout.
And the trou, do not like this place ;
she said, /" and | was SO afraid they woult
never touch me-"
Nettie did not like the place, either sh
had only come to please her brother, but Sd
was glad to have helped the LILLE fairy, too