Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-12
The Mittens.

DO YOU want to know why little children
wear mittens, and not gloves, like grown per-
sons2 Listen, and | will tell you.
Once upon time, n mother went out and
said to the five little fingers: "Chldren,
when am not at home, behave WE'LL aud do
what tell you. II you are kind and obcdi-
emit, will bring each of you n little house,
where you can live when il is cold winter"
90 mother" exclaimed the five fingers,
ave will certainly mind; only tell us what
we must do"
Then their mother answered.
THE forennscr must point abroad,
The mddle-nngcr can only nod,
The ihird-nnger strict guard must keep,
Lest the little one into mischief creep
And ne n, eaey thumb mnsi waich and sec
"Now 60, mother dear" said the fore
finger, " I'll certainly be attentive, and point
prettily, if you will only bring me something"
Then the middle-fnger cried out, I'll will
promise to be polite aud bow nicely, IL you
will bring me a little house, too for I'm the
biggest one !"
al will certainly keep watch, that my lit
tie brother does not get into mischief, cried
the ring-hnger; "but my house must be the
prettest !"
." No, mine" exclaimed the little finger
and then | won't make a bit of noise"
But the baby thumb only said, Mother,
dear, will do just what you say ~
But their mother had only been gone few
minutes, when the fore-fnger exclaimed
at is very stupid and tedious 10 be so
good, and 10 point all the time. | want to
rest a minute" So lac lay down.
All, you lazy thing !" replied the middle
finger " II is much more fatguing to be SO
industrious, and bow all the time" and he
was going TO lay down, too but the fore
finger jumped up, and gave him blow, cry
ing. How dare you find fault with me J
You are lazy yourself, you wicked boyl
Then the middle.fnger struck him again,
the fore-fnger returned it; and who knows
how long they might have fought, if the
ring-hnger had not called out
Aren't you ashamed Of yourselves
One Of you is as bad as the other. See how
| torture myself, and stand here keeping
watch all the time. mean to stop and rest,
and let you great fellows keep guard over
your little brother ="
"What " exclaimed the fore-fnger and
middle-fnger. You little rogue, do YOU
pretend TO dictate and find fault with your
brothers There, stop now /"
Then they both began to beat the ring
finger. He turned, with all his strength, and
struck the little finger, which he had the
care Of. The little one gave dreadful
scream, and began to scratch, as well as he
could But just as they were in the hottest
of the fight, the door opened and the mother
came in.
Oh, how frightened the naughty fingers
were They hung their heads and were so
ashamed they could not speak.
Finally, the middle-fnger said that the
fore-fnger was lazy, and he would not allow
it. But the fore-finger laid the blame on
the middle-fnger, and said he began the
quarrel The ring-fnger blamed them both,
and the little-fnger complained of all.
Then their mother spoke, and said
You are four naughty, disobedient chill
dren, who deserve to be punished See here,
what have brought for you" And she
drew beautiful glove out of her pocket
On it was found five houses just as large rs
\ the five fingers One was for the thumb
one for the fore-fnger one for the middle
finger and one for the little-fnger.
But you cannot have these pretty houses
now" said the mother. Then She went out,
and soon returned with another kindof glove
Look !" she exclaimed, "ths has only
one separate house, which belongs entirely
TO little thumb, because he is good and ODE
dent You Others must live together and
as soon as you become kind and obedient.
then you shall have house of your own"
And there it was the four fingers might
entreat as much rs they could, it would not
help them. Ever since this time, many lit
tie children wear mittens but when they
grow tall, and become good, then they can
wear gloves-Netc Coyenani