Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-08
Donny


ma,
That many in family is uncommon,
men, added nurse Pippin.
Nobody ever heard of such a thing"
pouted auntie Meg.
They were talking about naming the baby I;
and If there has ever been n baby ut your
house to name, you know how much talking
that takes. But when all the other people
had spoken, the baby's mamma repeated
what she had first said.
"lIe is to be John Boyd, Jr.
but that is so commonplace" sighed
auntic Meg, who wanted the name to be Ii
onel Frederick.
Your argument is not as good rs grand
mas. 1t might be inconvenient," said
baby's mamma.
For you must know that in this family
there were already three Johns living under
the same roof; John Boyd, Sr., who was
baby's papa, John Harlow, who was baby's
uncle, and little John Hathaway, who was
seven years old and baby's half-brothcr So
il did seem rather droll to add fourth, and
you cannot wonder that auntie Meg brought
in the dictionary and read aloud all the
names in the last part, in the hope of soft
ening her sisters resolution. However, die
tionares are of no use when woman's
mind is made up, and baby was christenod
John Boyd. And the name did not prove so
mconvenicnt after all, for by the time grand
ma began TO say.
1--WE must leave Off calling that child
Baby" baby had made n name for himself
and was accustomed to describe himself MS
Don Boyd, Dunior,n so presently everybody
fell into Baby's habit and called the little
fellow Don or Donny.
When he had grown so much us to wear
button boots and sailor suit, Donny WAS
n square, sturdy mchin, with brown hair
cropped close, brown little fists, brown eyes
and II snub nose freckled across the bridge.
The lrccklcs were almost rs great n trial to
auntie Meg rs his name, but Donny cared
not penny for them, and frisked out in all
weathers regardless of consequences.
One day Denny was sent ofan crrand.
"And | don't care much about going nci-
thcr," he said confdentially to his mama.
III feel rs If could get into tantrum Just
rs easym
81 wouldn't to day" said mama, kissing
his brown cheek. Here are five cents to
spend for yourself and after you have car
ricd the note you may go and slide on the
common for half an hour
In spite of this encouragement, Denny
took the note rather gloomily.
Johnnie don't go of crrands. Wish was
big, and studied Latin. Wish had u seal
skin cap, too
With this remark Donny wound himself
up in "A long gay-colored scarf which auntie
Meg had knit for him, pulled his cap over
| his forehead and put the five cents in his
overcont pocket, then ran for his sled and
departed.
lie had delivered the note, and was trudg-
ingitoward the common, when chestnut
stand, with its little furnace, attracted him.
Five cents worth and want some all
hotted up and cracked OPEN said Donny.
Turning away with the paper bag of
warmth in his hands, Denny jostled against
II boy very nearly his own size, who held
long basket on his arm.
Buy some peanuts, won't you? or a can
dy stIck?" said the boy, wistfully.
Haven't any more money, don't sup.
pockets. 81 like peanuts"
II haven't sold hardly n pint this after
noon," said the hoy sadly. "Folks don't
buy em so well when it's cold.n
Douny looked ut the thin jacket and torn
hat, the bare red hands and pinched lips,
and shivered II little with sympathy.
"COurse didn't mean to fret 5 il Is
beggar boy, | only wanted scalskn cap,
cause Johnnie has one, and l wasn't I'M
grateful, neither" said Donny to himself.
answering little twingo of conscience has
tiiy. Then aloud he said
I'm going up to slide, and if meet Pa
pm, I'll ask for five cents, and buy some. I'm
sorry"
So Denny trudged away, and was soon
sliding merrily among the little throng Of
boys on the long slope, Coming down with
a shout and a whirr, he saw his small ac-
quaintance with the basket watching him
from the sidewalk.
81 didn't find him." said Donny, stopping
to speak. Haven't you sold any morePn
mo" said the hoy.
"You don't holler out. and ask folks loud
enough, maybe" suggested Donny. Don't
you want to slide down once with me?n
81 darscnt leave my basket said the for
lorn boy Frightening IL little Mt the idea,
nevertheless.
"I'll tell YOU" cried Needless, generous
| Donny, struck with sudden thought. 81
will take your basket, and sell for you while
You slide a few times Take my scarf too,
the snow flies into your face So"
Tho next minute Donny had flung his
pretty scarf about tho peanut boys neck,
and was holding out to him the sled rope
1t was not in bOy-naturc to resist the temp
tation, and after an instants hesitation the
offer was accepted.
YOU'RE regular hanger" said the pea
nut boy, admiringly. you'll be sure and
meet me hero pretty soon?"
"Of course" said Donny, singing the
basket on his arm, and the now-made Fl lends
parted.
1t was funny sight to see Donny in his
new office he never did anything by halves,
aud now, intent only on adding to the CAPT
tai of his employer, he plucked Mt gentle
mems coat-tails, presented his basket in the
way OF fashionable ladies, marched into
shop-doors, and ran against large boys with
reckless earnestness. Some people bought
of him, but more set him aside or babe him
clear out, and most were too busy to notice
that this little peanut boy wore II surprising
ly nice overcoat, with velvet collar, and
showed handsome plaided stockings below
his knickorbockers. The few who did ut
tempt to question him about his costume,
Donny took leave of at once. lie had no
idea OF having his fun spoiled too early. On
and on no ran, careless of time, until he saw
line of horse.cars waiting for some tempo
raTy obstruction to be cleared from the