Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-04-26

QUESTION, the only result was great piles
of shavings, and his mother said she
never had SO easy time keeping fires.
Ere long, however, his devotion to his
knife precluded every employment, and
Mrs Arnold mentally wished he was not
so handy. He was the Veriest Ounce
that ever vexed teacher; but as he
gratuitously furnished the scholars with
tops, water wheels, and pointers, he was
IN high favor with them. Impervious
alike to coaxing and ridicule, he seemed
perfectly content to be forever at the
foot of his class. so long as little Kate
Williams stood at the head. Kate was
just six years old when James Henry
was ten, and as she was a good scholar,
and the daughter of the village lawyer,
she was held up to the scholars as a
pattern of excellence. She was sensible
and not easily spoiled, and in those days
evinced strong preference for James
Henry over all the others, not even ex-
cepting George Clifford, which contin-
ued even after he was in Latin and Al
zebra, and James was stumbling through
geography; and James felt little short
of idOlatry for Kate
But the time came when tops and
dolls bedsteads and rides on a sled
would not comfort her; when she went
to the academy and was escorted home
from lyceums and singing schools by
George Clifford for what girl of sixteen
is regardless of beaux and moonlight
As for James Henry he was the Cock
neys ideal of a Yankee. Tall, lank,
light haired, shrewd-eyed, simple and
talkative; when he stood leaning up
against wOOdpile whiting, you would
exelaim. "A live Yankee" I" Strange
that this is the recognized type, when
in reality it is the exception. The rule
follows after youths of George Clifford s
style.
Meanwhile, James Henry was not
idle. He had fixed up the old ehurn SO
that it worked like charm, the widow
Arnold said the old clock had found a
voice and ticked regularly and loudly in
the corner, and on a clear afternoon,
passers by could hear mysterious noises
in the attic where James Henry was
working at some machinery of his own.
The neighbors shook their heads and
calculated, jest like his father, shift
less. Never'n amount to nothin', nc
mOre'n he did. Coin on twenty-one
and layin' round for his mother to wait
on"
Kate had kindly feeling for her old
schOOl-mate, and was sorry to hear Of
his shiftlessness, and she decided wher
she had an opportunity, to talk witt
him in friendly way and endeaVor tC
make him understand that it would bt
much better to undertake some steady
employment than to follow the bent Of
his erratic fancy.
One day returning from the village
she passed Mrs. Arnold's house, anC
paused to note its appearance, which wa
not one whit improved. but as unkemp
and dilapidated as is suitable for tn,
abode of genius. Kate gave httl,
sniff of contempt at the black walls and
the flying shingles, just as James Henr.
came to the door. He no sooner saw
her than he called out, "How dye do
Kate ?"
'Good morning. Mr.. Arnold" replied
Kate.
He appeared disconnected for mo
ment, and said deprecatingly:
81 hope l haln't put you out, no
nOthin' ?"
Certainly not. she answered freez
ingly.
Il should feel powerful sorryif | had
but wait jest minute and be vanish
ed into the house.
Kate was vexed at his assurance, a
she was pleased to call it. and WalkeC
on, determining not to wait, but curios
ity becoming stronger than pride, afte
few steps she paused, just as Jane
Henry came running breathlessly to
ward her. hOldingisomething in his hand
There, Kate" he said, and blush
overspread his face; while his tall, LAM
fonn twisted about awkwardly, II mad
it for ye some little spell ago, but
hain't had no chance to gin it to We.
When he was embarrassed, he taIke
the vernacular in way to make an ETY.
mologist's hair stand on end with freu
zy. but Kate did not notice it, her at
tention was fixed on the work-box, daiI
ty and delicate enough for Princess
On the corner was a bunch of grape
with leaves and tendrils. so exquisiteI
natural as to deceive one. particular
as they were stained rich purple an
dark green. while the whole was beaut
fully polished Delicate carvings (
network and flowers adorned It's side
and the tiny compartments No Wondt
Kate's eyes glistened with pleasure.
why, James, is it possible that yo
made this ? 1t is perfectly lovely"
Girls say perfectly lovely" when IooI
ing at a sunset eating an ice cream .