Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-24

ofihai True Light ehich rshte'h e,ciJ man.
CHATTER J.
rHK SUDDEN cLorp
What country boy has not turned somer.
sault or performed some other antic, upon
learning that next week he was 10 make his
first visit to the city
There never was child more at a loss TO
express his joy than was Harry Ames, when
his sister Louisa having drawn him into the
farthest corner Of the house, told him that
she had heard father say as she came sud-
denly into the sittingToom, that he should
take Harry with him to Hartford next We'd
nesday, and leave him at Aunt Sarahs for a
visit. First, he broke away from his sister
so rudely that he almost threw her down :
then he jumped about so noisily that his
grandmother, who heard the racket even in
the sitting-room, raped on the wall with
her cane TO learn what was the matter; then
he ran down stairs and out of the front door.
gave q mischievous pull at the hcll-kuoh,
jumped over the fence without even touch
ing it with his hands, and ran with all his
might up the steep Scranby hill road.
For the first forty or fifty rods his feet
seemed scarcely to touch the ground he
sprang so lightly from rock 10 rock that it
was easy TO believe that flying could not be-
so much more difficult, while the trees. the
sky, and even the old nmbe-down saw-mill
somehow looked glad to Harry, as if they
knew that he was the happiest boy in
Fairville.
But however full a boys heart may be of
glee, he cannot long climb a steep, rough
path without getting tired, and at less than
a quarter of mile our wild youths pace be-
gan to slacken, till he finally came to a stop
and sat down on a stump to catch his breath
lie had scarcely painted half minute, how
ever, before his new delight rushed in upon
his mind with fresh force, causing him to
jump up, swing his hat, and shont " Ilur-
rah hurrah I'm the boy that's going to
Hartford" As his lungs had been well filled
by violent exercise, his voice rang out un-
usually clear and loud. The sound of it
seemed so strange to him that he must needs
shout again, 4" lIurrah I'm the boy that's
going to Hartford" in order TO convince
himself that the history Of the last five min
utes was really true, and that this person who
could run up Scranby hill and hailoo so leud
was the same Harry Ames whom the boys
called "slow," and whom the teacher chided
for not speaking distinctly at school.
Ct" It's really you" he said to himself, at
last you, your own self, are going TO Hart
ford next week"
A hoarse laugh came from behind the
bushes and the boy started as if he had been
caught doing something wrong. Jack Blum,
who was, for a wonder, for once in his life,
half a mile from the loafers bench at the
tavern, came directly towards him. in com
pany with Simon Byttes the oldest boy at
the IIigh-school.
Harry wanted to run away when he saw
H. l.... a. a.. l. 1 4
Mister had seen, and doubtless heard
him, and 81 Byttes ran Immediately for
ward, and, catching his young schoolmate by
the arm, shouted, Here's the live animal
Blum Here's the boy that's going to
HARTFORD
IIarry's face REDEEMED as he heard his own
words contemphousy repeated by one who
was a leader among his companions He at
first tried to pull away, but when he found
resistance useless and heard Blum drawl out
repetition Of the mockery, he took the
devils short cut out of the difficulty and de-
MED the uncomfortable accusation.
| amt going to Hartford, neither" he
protested with evident embarrassment.
Oh, no We'll see about that, said Blum,
with a curious look "Come, shout it out
again; We like to hear from one who is to
be travelling monkey"
IL was very veXatious and unlucky, Harry
thought that those two persons, Of all Others,
should have heard him. His intended Jour
ney was a secret, which he had promised Lu
not to diyulge until he had heard it from his
father, and Blum was just the gossip who
would spread it all over town. Then 81
Byttes would never let him have any peace
after this, for he was always making sport
of the smaller boys, and particularly Of him
These thoughts, added to the shame which
the too self-conscious child felt at being
caught in so enthusiastic mood, surprised
him into the falsehood which Blum was not
slow to detect His first impulse was To
take back the words, but something tempted
him 10 carry out and complete the dccep-
ton. So, quieting conscience with mental
reservation, he put on an air of triumph, and
said, You'll see if | go to the city and
who's been sold.' Then he broke away
from Simon and ran towards home.
His steps fell heavily, and the path seemed
never so rugged, and he stumbled almost to
falling as he went on. The earth aud sky
seemed to have lost their brightness, and the
old mill creaked and frowned at him. lie
was tired out before he had gone half the
distance of which he had made nothing as
he came. His spirits, which half an hour
ago were all foam aud sparkle, We're now
heavy with the dregs Of yexation and dis
content. lie felt badly, not knowing exactly
why. Though he was conscious of some
thing wrong in himself, he yet blamed his
"luck aud that mean ii Byttes more
than the boy who had told islsehood. lie
made many excuses for himself it was
only white lie" since he was not going
to the city then, and-Jack Blum had no bu-
4 a know ANYTHING alhput i
If father hears that La has told" he
thought, she will not let me go, anyway !"
and with this idea his bad feelings came to
a climax, and he would have cried, but for
the presence of the houses which seemed to
look out Of their window-eyes to see what he
was thinking about
"llaTy, my son, spoke kind aud IA
miliar voice over his shoulder The lad
jumped as if he had been suddenly struck
from behind. Mr.. Ames did not notice it
particularly for he went on to say How
would you like TO visit Aunt Sarah next
week 2"
Instead Of giving a quick and joyful an
swer, the boy scarcely looked up, but an
swered rather gloomily, &" don't know as |
care to go, sir"
"Not care to 60 !" said Mr. Ames with
surprise 4" / thought you had been wishing
it for a long time. What's the matter ?"
Harry felt that he could not tell his father,
even il he knew himself, what the matter
was" lie made reply which was half true
and half false, 81 don't know why, father,
but don't care to 60"
"Well, you are queer boy, ! must say"
added Mr.. Ames, and opening the gate over
which Harry had sprung so lightly half an
hour before, he said, Its supper time, and