Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-04-29

out Of the hollows; the insects hummcd
overhead the merry little brook went
tumblng along, and the fish came eapiug
out every now aud them their silver sides
flashing in the warm light
Ia the hay-felds the mowers were busy,
and borne on the gentle wind, soitencd to a
musical murmur, came the voices Of the
men, and the sharpening Of their scythes.
Ben Mallet and his little cousins, J emmy
and Jake Brown, were as happy and light
hearted this bright summers day, as any
three children could possibly be.
Ben's father had made him little
wooden sword and this morning the boy
had run over to his aunt's cottage and car
ried the two young children out to play with
him.
They were ia the middle Of an exciting
game, when Mrs Browns voice was heard
calling to them, " Children, children, want
you !"
Ben ran back to the cottage at once, and
met his aunt coming out.
Ben, dear, she said "it is your uncle's
dinner time, and | have made him some
stew. He is working in Farmer Rix's hay
field, and | should be glad if you would
take the children with you and carry your
uncle his dinner. Here it is, in this little
pot Be careful not to spill any oft, my
boy, for it is not often that can afford TO
buy meat nowadays"
Ben took the pot aud trglged of to the
place where he had left the little ones.
They were not there, but he thought he
heard their voices, aud, following the sound,
he found the children playing in the poultry
yard, where the ducks and geese crowded
round them, expecting to be fed. ny
"llurrah, now we'll have some fun 81
shouted Ben, snatching up his sword, and
brandishing it over his head. Here, Jenny
hold the pot, aud Jake and | will re.
view the troops
Jenny took the pot, and Jake was told
to hold the flag, which consisted of an old
pocket-handkerohief tied to a stick
Then Ben grasped his sword more firmly
and blowing on half clothes.peg instead
of horn, he managed to drone out tune
which he thought very grand indeed.
The only trouble was that the ducki
would not march in time, and they would
interrupt the music by their quacking.
1t was good halfhour before he re
membered the errand on which he baC
been sent. The game had been so new ant
so full Of fun that the thought of his poo
uncle working in the hot sun had quite es
capped his memory.
"Oh, dear me !" he cried, throwing dowi
his sword, +" how stupid I've been. Com
along, pets, let us take your fathers Dime
to him. | don't know what he'll say a
being kept waiting so long Here, Jenny
give me the pot"
Jenny gave up the pot, but as Be-
looked into it, he gave cry of dismay-i
was nearly empty. The savory broth wa
all gone, and only a few little bits Of inca
lay at the bottom.
"Oh, Jenny, how stupid OF you cre'
Ben. What have you done with all tina
stew? Have you split it, or wbat7"
Jenny began to cry. ~ did not toucl
it," she sobbed; and, indeed, she had bee
as much interested in the game as Be
himself, and had only held the pot withou
thinking Of it.
just then Ben spied Toby the oil
Watchdog, sinking out of the yard, wit
his tail between his legs, and his eye
glancing behind him, as if he knew he ha
been doing wrong, and half expected to !
punished.
All, sir, SO you are the thief, are youl
said Ben, and making dive at the dog, !
boxed his ears smartly and sent the pc,
thing away howibg. snow we must
to your mother, | suppose" said Be
land tell her all about it, Oh, dear IN
what will she say?" Aud with hea,
hearts and long faces the children return,
to the cottage.
To tell the truth, Ben had begun to fe
by this time that he had done wrong
blaming Jenny, and beating the dog {
what was really his own fault.
% If had only done what was told
once, said he to himself, "this won
never have happened" And SO he told |
to his aunt just as il had taken place, n
excusing himself, or laying the blame up
any one else.
Mrs. Brown was very sorry. She cou
hardly be otherwise, for she was poor, a
could not afford TO throw away good di
ner but she saw that Ben was very sor
too, and she felt that he had had less
which he would not soon forget So :
did not scold the child. but cut a big pisoe
bread and slice of cheese TO send 10 h
husband for his dinner. and babe Ben wi
his eyes, and not take his carclessue.s ;
much to heart
Some weeks after, when Mrs Brown HI
forgotten all about this little event. Il
rushed into the cottage one morning with
parcel in his hand, wrapped I'm IN a new
paper.
There. amt cried he pantiny W;
delight, and with the speed at which he h
come "Iye brought YOU another dim
for uncle"
Mrs. Brown opened the marcel. and foul
il TO contain very nice piece Of me,
!, WV Ron do ala sho a..
VIM cet tbis - ~"
!, Honestlv ou,, oui,o honos,lv ,oo,;
tho hov 49, ls,,ss -onNs III a., ".
,ha, have earned hS ,,,an;n p or,snSi P' |,
had made nm nv Mind ,has a. ICON as
copld / would II =, -, A. -
iOois DO ucIt IL IL. Auu Zen looked