Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-11-05

and then alter a moment added: "but Bill
| likes me better than anybody"
"Who is BillP" 1 asked.
"Wha. does Bill do?" inquired my
friend, with keener intuition. The little
one stopped a moment, aud then, as if pos
scssed of an original IDEA, bounded of to
the iron chains which fenced the grounds
in front Of the hotel. Once here he stopped
to assure himself we were looking, and
then said "This is what Bill does"
In an inst INT he had turned two or three
somersaults around the chain, and landed
gracefully on his feet in the middle Of the
grass plot.
"Thars no place to do it," he added
scornlully as he returned TO our side.
"Bill makes all the people clap their
hands aud holler 'hii hir OH you ought
to sec Bill"
just then gray coated, keen faced and
good-natured looking young man came
quickly up the path. In an instant the
boy was off, saying joylully:
ooh, there's Bill ~ and in less time than
it takes me TO write il Bill had him tight in
his arms.
Dlh gOh oto Nilat lOtBh lNAiON Mss thot
child2" said Mrs. Van Arness, as the coup
lie disappeared. Just then the most pomp-
Gus of our boarders saunlercd out, cigar
between fingers, and with a shrug of his
shoulders remarked:
~ wonder at you, ladies. have insist
ed upon my wlc's keeping her room."
"Well,' said my companion, liking an
attitude, and for the first time since my ac-
quaintance with her evidently losing her
temper, THAT means that you think your
wife would be contaminated by contact
with these circus people?'
"You are correct as usual, Mrs. Van Ar
ness" Unanswered with mpressivene.s.
"Well, | like circus riders" she replied
with mischievOus crease in the corners of
her pretty mouth; THAT is, if they have
got hearts. | saw AN Irishman, sir, a day
laborer, the other day, digging in The streets,
and l declare TO you that l wanted to shake
hands with him. a little girl almost fell
into the hole he was making, and when he
not only prevented her, but took her in his
arms and huggod ard kissed her, l thought
TO myself that the sweet nobility of that
iel shirted son of Erin would put to shame
many 50 called aristocrat in our so called
best society"
"Well, declare !" said the gentleman,
as my lady walked oil. "Would you be-
lIeve that woman OF her culture could have
such low tastes"
l believe smiled and made no answer.
What use to fight these prejudices? About
as much as 10 Try and destroy stone wall
with a blow from ones head. Not long af-
ter this | came across Mrs. Van Arness in
earnest conversation with Bill. l confess
that this slightly annoyed me but my an-
noyance WAS Of short duration, for she
turned TO me and said:
81 just met that little boy l was talking
to awhile ago in the hall, and il hadn't
dashed some wafer in his face really be-
lieve he would have choked TO death; and
l was asking Of his friend some questions
about him."
"And was telling her," said Bill, re-
spectfully, his hat in his hand, "that last
night he had the Group, and don't seem to
have got over it; but he's as bright as
dollar now. The Group is generally pretty
hard, I've heard, on a child of his build.
He'll get through his performance the frs;
of the evening, and his mother will send
him right down 10 the hotel; and 1 shall
he through in an hour or 50 amer that. She
has TO ride the last one"
"And what becomes of the baby ?"
That goes to tlo show" he answered
with smile. "Irs mighty good baby,
and we take turns taking care Of it. II
you have anything, ma'am, that's good for
the Group, 1 wish you'd let me know. If
anything should happen TO little Jo-well-
if anything should happen"
For moment he twirled his hat nerv-
ously, and then with an abrupt bow turned
on his heel and walked hastily away.
"Oh it was irghtlulr said my COM
panion. "Poor little child don't believe
you ever heard Of anything half 50 sweet
rs what he said TO me when | wiped the
water from his face, after the spasm had
passed"
"'You was scared, wasn't You, lady?
Mind now, don't tell Bill nor my mamma.
My mamma will cry, and Bill will look
this way = and then he drew down his face
in comic imitation of his faithful friend. 1
lost little boy with Group once" she con-
tinued softly. at must be agonizing for
mother TO be obliged to live life of this
kind, with no time for domestic comfort,
no time to nurse her sick or pet her little
ones"
1t was strange thai this woman, bred in
luxury, accustomed 10 the choicest society,
should have net a word of blame TO utter
against the profession which her sister wo-
man had chosen. She was sorry for her,
she wanted 10 help her. She would have
assisted Ler with her means and her SYM
pathy, have nursed her and hers with her
own tender hands, but reproach her never
by thought, word or deed. l realized then
as never before the tremendous power for
good that such purity and unselfishness
must exert. But, God help us, The majori-
ty of those who labor for Others, seek first
in their mistaken zeal and pride TO tear
down trades and institutions, never think
ing of the poor souls who perish in the ru
ins.
heard no more from Mrs. Van Arness
until about nine o clock that evening. Then
a messenger informed me that the lady de-
sired my presence Immediately in herroom.
found her with little Jo in her arms, look
ing very pale and anxious. The boy had
been brought home a short time before, and
Bill arriving few moments after had
found him in another spasm Of strangula-
tion and sent for my friend. He was now
easier, and looked up into my face with a
smile.
"Mueh as 10 could do to stand on BilPs
hand tonight" he said, slancing at the
poor fellow, who looked the picture of de-
spair.
"But didn't they holler hi hill Bill?