Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-01-21
Throwing Stones.

Little Dick Tuition and bis companion
Harry Carter, certainly meantime harm, as
seated upon q heap Of stones by the road.
side, they began hinging the sharn little
missiles over the hedge and yet a mo.
ments thought would have told them that
some one might very likely be walking on
the other side for a path ran through on
the field beyond where, moreover, aocx
Of sheep was feeding. Stone after stone
went whisking through The air, iil at
length came piercing cry. Then, IN a
sudden terror, the boys started 10 their feet,
and peoped anxiously through a gap ia tie
hedge. They saw-and at the sight Dick
by whom the last stone had been flung,
turned positively sick with horror-from
under her slight summer hat, stream Of
blood flowing all over little girls face
aud neck, and dripping down on her mus.
lilo skirt They could not be sure, but
they guessed correctly, that She was the
sister Of another little lady who was stand.
ing by, white as a sheet aud wriDging her
childish hands in helpless agony. and whom
they recognized at once as the daughter Of
Mr.. Saxby, gentleman cf the neighbor.
hood. The lads looked at each other for
an instant, and then, by a common impulse,
took to their heels and ran home as fast as
they could at was cruel aud cowardly," 4"
you say. | say, "Sce what comes Of
throwing stones !"
Harry wept bitterly when he went to
bed at night and in the morning resolved
very wisely, to seek sympathy and advice
from his mother But he had left it til
too late she had started off for farm.
house at some distance, to help in a large
wash, leaving her daughter Sarah, girl
some three or four years older than Dick
to give the young children their breakfast
and see them off TO school, And so to
Sarah Dick confded his trouble, and re.
ceived from her but scanty pity aud very
doubtful counsel.
Keep it still, lad, or mebby they'll be
clapping thee into the lock-ups, if the lit.
tie lady's come to any harm"
Better be sent to prison at once, thought
poor Dick, than bear the suspense any
longer And so, instead Of going to school,
be made his way towards Mr.. Saxby's
house, lingering about the gate, bent on
making inquiries Of the first person he
should see And the FIRST person happened
to be Mr.. Saxby himself. Dick trembled
all over as the gentleman asked what be
wanted there, but, nevertheless, found cour.
age to falter out Please, sir, how's the
young lady as was hurt ?"
Mr.. Saxby looked at the boys pale, eager
face, and asked "What do you know about
it? Can you tell me who threw the stone
| am very anxious to know"
Is she dead ?" gasped out Dick, his
fears confirmed by Mr.. saxby's grave man.
ner.
Not dead, but very ill.," was the an
swer. " She has not been sensible all
night But why do you ask p
Because 1 did II l did it, faltercd
out Dick, bursting into piteous tears. 81
did not mean to, but did"
And ran away, and left those two poor
without help; you did that, too?"
was the stern demand.
81 was SO frightened, sir" blubbered
Dick but I've never had no peace a mo-
nent since"
"Do you know that you are liable to be
summoned before the magistrates for this 2"
lsked the gentleman.
Yes, our Sarah told me so but don't
care, so as little Miss doesn't die"
Mr.. Saxby was softened by the boys evil
dent earnestness and contrition, and felt
that no punishment beyond that Of his own
feelings was needed in the case. Only
never" was the serious injunction, let
anything induce you to throw stones again