Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-12-20
A PRECoCIOUs YOUTH.

A PRECOClOUS YOUTH.
A family of some pretentions living on
Nelson street, had party of FIVE to tea,
on Thursday evening. The table was
set out in fine style, as the company were
from the city. and it was absolutely nee
essary to show them that folks may live
in village like Danbury, and yet un-
derstand the requirements of good So
ciety. When they we're all at the table
and the lady was prepared to dish up
the tea, her little son. whose face shown
like the keens of a country clergyman's
pants, pulled her secretly by the dress.
But she was too busy to notice. He
pulled her again, but receiving no re-
sponsc, he whispered:
Ma. ma
What is it a.?
Amt this one of Mrs. Perry's knives ?
holding up the article in his hand, and
looking. as he properly should, very
much grati6ed by such an evidence of
his discernment.
She made no reply in words, but gave
him look that was calculated to ami
hilate him.
The tea was dished out and the party
were buttering their biscuit, when the
youth suddenly whispered again, looking
at his plate with pleased expression,
Why, ma, my plate is different from
the others.
Thomas, she calculated, under her
breath.
Why, it tits, ma. persisted Thomas.
Now just see here, this plate has
Thomas again calculated his mother,
with crimson face, while his father as
sumed frown nearly an inch thick,
if you don't let your victuals stop yonr
mouth, I'll send you away from the ta-
BILE.
This quieted Thomas at once. He
was not very particular boy, and he
concluded that the difference in the
plates was not of such moment as to ad-
NIT of tedious argument at that time.
Several minutes passed without any
further interruption. The boy indus
triously attended to his food, but at the
same time kept close eye on what was
going on around him. He was lifting
up his cup for a sip, when his glance
fortunately fell upon the saucer. 1t was
but a glance. but with the keenness Of
a young eye he saw that the two were
not originally intended for each other
Why, ma. he eagerly whispered, this
cup don't belong to
Then he suddenly stopped. The ex
preston of his mothers face actually
rendered him speechless, and for mo
ment he applied himself to his meal il
depressed silence but he was young
and of an elastic temper, and he sool
recovered his beaming expression. 4
little later he observed a lady opposit
putting spoon of preserved grapes il
her mouth. Then he twitched his moth
er's dress, again:
MAJ
The unhappy mother shivered at tn
sound but his remark this time appear
ed to he on an entirely different subjec
as he asked
: Amt Mrs. Walker an awful funn
; woman?
Funny said his mother with sig
e of relief. And then turning to the con
pany with an explanation: Mrs. Wall
er is an old lady who lives across Il
way, she smiled on her hopeful son al
asked: What makes you think she
funny? t5O
Why you knOw-yOu know. beg'
Thomas in that rapid moist way whiC
an only son assumes when he is impar
ing information before company, In I
J, spouse to a cordial invitation, when
went over there this afternoon to get I
spoons. she said she hoped the eompal
wouldn't bite EN-, as it would dent
49, Thomas, shrieked the unhappy mot
Or err, as soon as she could break in
Young man gasped the father. lea
this table at once.
And Thomas left at once. His fati
ls followed him, .and the two met IN
back room.-DGabHry NeScs.