Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-01-27
Cash.


The hour for closing had arrived, and the
cash boys OF Conran, Caufn & Co., the large
/ dry goods dealers in Broadway, were hurry
| ing out of the store, each bent on reaching
his home in the shortest time possible, when
a clear young voice called out
say, fellowsi hold on minute, won't
you2 want TO tell you something"
The boys instantly turned back and sur
| rounded the speaker, a gray-eyed, shy-looking
lad OF some ten years, certainly not more,
perhaps less.
Hurry up, George" said one Of the elder
ones g. promised mother I'd be home early
tonight, aud besides that, there's 10 be fresh
gingerbread for supper, and my big brothers
awful fond Of it, so don't want him 10 get
there first"
well you know" said George, speaking
/ quickly but distinctly, willie Ice hasn't
been here for a week past, and we've all
been wondering what had become Of him
! stopped wondering last night, and went
down to his house To- see. And he's been
awful sick, but he's getting better now,
though he amt able TO work yet and, boys,
he amt got amy father or mother"
why, Georgey, You haven't any your
self, ~ said Tom Griggs, merry-faced black
eyed boy.
Yes, but I've got a good uncle who takes
care of me. I'm one of the lucky ones,
am aud Willie amt. lie lives with an old
grandmother who earns only three dollars a
week, when she works her very hardest, and
he has pretty little sister five years old, and
she hasn't any shoes"
That's kinder hard" said Tom Grggs
Go on, young Hamlet"
Well, as YOU all know, day after to-mor-
row is Christmas, and don't believe they'll
have anything good unless we give it to
them. So propose to buy them a Christ
mas dinner"
a Christmas dinner" repeated half-a-
dozen of the boys, "why, how can we do
that?'
It's precious little money we get any
how said Tom Griggs "They call us
Cash but what's in a name, as W. Skaks-
peare says
Who's hep" asked Frank Spencer, and
without waiting for an answer, he went ON
Drive ahead, George. What's your plan2"
"Well, there's twenty Of MS, amt there?
And VIC can each spare FIVE cents-that's one
dollar-and I'm sure the clerks will give as
much as we do; that'll make two dollars. and
two dollars will buy nice Christmas dinner
for three people"
" So it will, said Tom Gnggs "nothing
wrong with your upper story, George. Keep
on, and you'll be an A. T. Stewart one Of
these days"
Here's my FIVE. It's tax on me to be
sure but III do without my dainties for
couple OF days and that will make it square"
The boys laughed merrily, and before they
parted the whole thing was arranged.
Christmas morning bsamed bright and
clear. Willie and his pretty little sister
were both sitting in large old-fashioned
rocking chair, looking over picture paper
some one bad given them, and grandmother
was working away as usual-for very poor
people have no real holidays-when a sound
of smothered laughter was heard on the
stairs, and then came tap at the door, and
some one called out sharply, Cash 2"
Enter procession, single file
Tom Griggs-carrying fat chicken with
blue ribbon around its neck
Frank Spencer-basket of potatoes.
Sam Styles-bunch Of celery.
Three other boys with an orange in each
hand,
Target bearer with large mince pie
Why, the Lord love and bless you ALL"
says the old lady, whats this ?"
" Your Christmas dinner ma am" answers
Tom Griggs, taking off his hat with a flour
ish and for it you must thank-pointing
to George Welsh who came shyly in the
very last, with tiny bunch of flowers for
the little sister" that freckled-faced, gray
eyed little-CashV The Chwchman.