Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-11-27

One great fellow, whose remarks had
urged the others on, happening to glance in
that direction, saw tho effect of his unthink-
ing cruelty, and n feeling of repentance
came over him, which was increased ms he
remarked for the first time how thin and
pale the little worker was.
The intcrmission came, and coffee was
passed to each picker, while, as usual, the
pals were quickly uncovered, and all ate
their dinners. Contriving to pass by Benny,
who had seated himself rs far ms he could
from the others, and who looked up timidly
when his tormentor approached, the man
noticed the meager fare, and fastened back
to the others.
IL say, boys, we've been kind o. hard on
that little chap; he's half starved anyhow
and | never did q meanor piece of business
in my life than when | pcstered him." said
he, with u look of contriton that went n
long way in winning the rest of them to his
present mode of thinking. Guess I've got
u piece of pic left. Wonder If he'd take it
after II fellow abused him soP" he added, rs
he again went towards Benny, who evident
~ feared his approach.
Dtt utIts liiNlt NlNNe cNiu hNf III Wv ~
now tone of voice that Benny opened his big
eyes in establishment; I've been n great
brute in talking rs | did. Feel mean enough
to give myself n kicking, II | could but see
ing rs | can't and faint likely you'd like TO
do it for me, will 20 look over the matter
now, and let's be friends?"
This was so unexpected to the child,
whose sore heart had already nearly over
flowed, that he could not control himself to
reply, but flung himself on the grass and
sobbed, to the CONSERVATION of the penitent.
"Why, you poor little ragamufinv' said
he. "IIold on now; don't take on 50. Why,
you make inc feel so cheap that any one
could buy me out for II dime, and not make
much of Il bargain either. Say now, can't
you forgive and forget?n
Benny lifted Il face that looked like sun
shine amid rain; or 1t would have looked
so If 1t had boon u clean face; but the hop
picking hands, that were used to wipe away
the big tears, had streaked it; so that even
the penitent fellow had to laugh, though he
made haste to explain the re ason.
This was the beginning Of better times for
the boy, who went back TO his work with a
new expression in his eyes; the sad dropping
look having vanished entirely. lie was
even seen to smile ut some jest; and when
the afternoon rest came, he actually took Il
seat beside his new friend, and began to cal
his remaining potato with n relish that
brought something like Il lump to the throat
of the other; who by n flip of his finger and
thumb sent the cold vegetable flying through
the air; and then slipped a huge slice o
bread and cheese in its place. "rhere!
said he, well let the blackbirds have that
if they want il. A change Of fare won't hur
you.'
Benny now had friends in abundance
each one DESTROYS of atoning for past un
kindness. Lunch-time, after this, was +;
season of such enjoyment that he hailed it
arrival with rs much qualification rs any o
the number; and so much llberality wa
shown him that he needed his potato and hi
of bread only for the sake of appearance
Indeed, if hop-picking had lasted much lon
gor, and his friends continued rs generous
he would have filled out his rags in quite
creditable manner.
All this happiness did not make him lazy
or cause him to relax his energies in tn
smallest degree. Indeed, it seemed rs If hi
cheerlulness was so inspiriting that it mad
his W fingers nimbler, and also irhpelle'
the others to fresh activity.
Jack, his warm ally now, often wonder
ed why he worked so increasingly; but hi
questions concerning the subject only callo'
forth u knowing look and n bright smile.
Benny had carried his precious secret s.
long that he did not feel like impnrting
now; but mt last Jacks opportunities pre-
vailed, and in reply to some que stions an
conjectures that shot wide of the mari
Benny said, 'It's boots"
"Bootsr' repeated Jack, nowise enlighter
ed, "what does the youngster meanP'
The secret once out, Benny's tongue WA
loosened, and he poured forth tho Who'll
story. How, the previous winter, his fee
had nched with the cold, and all he had t
cover them were such odd, or cast-off shoe
as he could manage to obtain; and how b
had watched other boys playing in the snow
or on the ice, and he unable to join in I'll
fun. So when he heard some lads talk {
earning money by picking hops, he tllougl
perhaps he too might, through this mean
earn enough to buy the long-desired boots
top boots, too-and he had worked so hare
he did think he'd have them after all. An
-. here he gave u sigh, partly at the remen
r. brance of how hard he had worked, an
" partly of satisfaction over the coming real
ization of his hopes.
Jack listened with interest, and also vii
sympathy, and resolved in his own mind
~ give Benny "a shove" While he was woi
~ dering how he could do so, and plying Il
oL child, as he watched the odd little iignr
Cd pick picking away the big wagon can
,n along, filled with bags of hops to be col
~, veyed 10 II buyer, n good thought came
no Jack; and he acted upon it.
ro Here, Benny said he, Jump on tn
40 wagon; needn't hurry back, either; I'll tai
your place while you're OIL.
At first Benny h~eistnted about leaving h
4, work, as If he feared Jacks pickings won
- not amount to rs much us his own; b
=, when he SAW how vigorously the big fello
applied himself to his task, and how quick
I'm he stripped the hops from the vines, he ga
n joyful shout, and climbed up to the WACO
~. scat, where he perched himself rs proud
~ as if he was monarch of all he surveyed.
was such a nice change for him, and
- came back looking so pleased, that JaC
had u taste of the joy that follows n kindne
done.
bo OF course Benny's secret soon ceased
49, merit that name; in fact Jack told it Il
A. first chance he could find. and every OF
Ia seemed rs much interested AS Jack h;
'ro been, while many of them likewise tried
give Benny II little assistance.
w. They would call on Boots" to draw fire.
"a water, or make some other excuse to relic
~, him, while tho willing hands of the send
~ took his place. Boots was the name