Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-22
The Last Day Of Vacation.
sTon1 ron No1nFns AND cnlDRrs.


Here, children, don't come in on this
clean floor, to bring in dirt again " said
Mrs. Reed, as little Tom and Jenny came
into the kitchen after an hour of play.
But, ma, we don't know what to play.
Ma, can't have my best doll 2"
6 want something, ma, to draw in my
cart"
40 Ma ma Dear me get so tired of
your everlasting cry OF ma that ! some
times wish | was an old maid, like Miss Ma
son, and had never got married "
"And do you wish pa was gone, too "
asked Tom, fixing his large, dark eyes on
his mothers face
"No, dear, don't wish that any of you
were gone" and Mrs. Reed glanced, with
look of contrition, at Mrs. Merrill, who had
come in for a moments chat then she sat
down, laying off on the table the half-wiped
plate, and drew her children toward her,
I" No, my dear children, | don't really get
tired of you, but have so many things TO
do. just think Of all the loayes of bread 20
make and all the dishes TO wash, and Just
look at the window thickly covered with
sand. That window" repeated Mrs. Reed,
turning to Mrs. Merrill. and pointing to
small window whose sill was on a level with
the ground, :" is a constant plague Only
yesterday it was washed clean, and that lit.
tie dash of rain last night covered it again
with sand"
"Oh, ma, let me aud Jenny wash the win
dow" pleaded Tom. awe will help you to
do all the work"
"Oh, you will get yourselves all wet but
perhaps that won't hurt you,' said Mrs.
Reed.
4" And, Tom" ohmed in Mrs. Merrill "af-
ter the window is washed, bring your cart
over to my house, and will give you some
roots of blue myrtle 10 plant before the win
dow. 1t will take some little time for the
myrtle to grow TO a full, thick mat Of green,
but when it is grown the rain will fall right
down among the leaves and the sand won't
get splashed up on the glass. You can also
plant some Tradescantia among the myrtle,
which will grow quickly; but that will die
when the frost comes. Then, if you like, at
the edge Of the bed you can put a row Of
those pretty round stones You had in your
cart yesterday"
"Oh, yes said Tom, and then | can
use my spade, and my cart, and all my
things Come, Jenny
An hour after, Mrs. Reed glanced at the
window. Two happy little faces were peer
ing in. See ma, see !" and Tom showed
the roots he had brought
Don't get too tired, my children"
"Oh, no, ma we love TO do it. We are
going TO fix the window for you so nice I"
"Dear, dear children" said Mrs, Reed to
herself, reproachfully; chow can | ever get
out of patience with themY | do wish
could let the work 60 somewhat and devote
more time TO their little pursuits and pleas
ures but here it is the last day of vacation
and then there are so many things to teach
the children--to interest them in the plants
and the birds to tell them how the squirrel
keeps house down in its snug little hole, and
how the ugly worm is transformed into the
pretty butterfly. No, no, ! must not teach
them that worms are uglyi | must show
them that caterpilars and toads and all
creatures are AZ God made them, and that
they are made through His goodness to enjoy
their own little life Surely, it is better TO
leave the work sometimes, that may teach
all this |"
These thoughts We're not forgotten, and
the vacations that followed brought many
happy hours 10 the mother and the children
L.. A. III