Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-19


A certain seapegrace- by name
tormented his sisters kitten, and being dis
covered. excused bis cruelty by saying, coolly:
"Well, a cats got nine lives, and don't
see any harm in hanging her little, cause
if she does lose one she's got eight more to
fall back on"
The anguish of Sue over the injured dar.
ling was great, and day Of solitary confine-
ment on bread aud water did not seem too
severe a punishment for the hard-hearted
boy who could even think of harning a
downy white kit like Puff. But ~ night
came on, Sue began 10 relent, and the vision
of the poor lonely johnny, with his three
slices Of bread and three mugs of water,
rose before her in the most pathetic manner.
Getting free pardon from the higher pow
ers, she went to bear the glad tidings, but
peeped through the keyhole first to see how
it was likely to be received. A somewhat
limited view of the cell revealed the prison
er's head lying on his arm, and candle in
dangerous proximity to his curly pate.
Poor Johnny (" breathed tender Sue, and
unlocking the door, she entered, beaming
with peace and good will
But brief as had been her delay in getting
the key TO turn, an entire change had come
over the captive, and no sign of poor
Johnny could be discovered in the unrepent-
ant locking boy who sat with his boots on the
table, hands in his pockets, and an expires
sion of the utmost unconcern upon his youth
full oountenance.
" thought you might like to know that
Puff is quite comfortable again" began Sue,
rather daunted by this sudden change.
Course she is Can't kill cat SO easy
Iat trtf ia,
Wouldn't YOU like to come down now 2"
Don't care particularly about it."
Please do care, johnny. for I'm lonely,
If you aren't Noone shall say a word about
it, and wen all be glad to see YOU back"
Johnny put his feet down and moved un-
easily in his chair, for Sue had smoothed
the way to freedom so sweetly, his bottled-up
remorse began to work within him.
Did you ask father ?"
Yes; | knew you wouldn't do it again,
and YOU must be very tired Of staying here so
long
"Oh, I've been busy, and had lots Of fun
making that"
Lifting the light. johnny proudly dis
| played upon the wall the motto, " DO as you
would be done by" made of what at first
looked like a series of queer, black blots.
THAT is a very good one foryou to have"
began Sue, then started back with an ire
pressble 4" Ow for on going nearer to adj
mire, she discovered that the blots were
beetles of some sort.
40 Johnny, how horrid What are they ?
How could you do so to those poor things p
"Cockroaches; and you needn't howl, for
they were all as dead as Julius Caesar before
put pin into EN-"
Then, as if some explanation were neces-
sary, and this good opportunity to make
the amende honorable, he added, soberly;
You see, when | came up, was so mad
planned to put all the bugs and things I'd
caught in my trap into your bed and pockets,
and down your back, first chance got. But
had to wait, and somehow my mad all went
off, and then | thought I'd have q motto,
something like those you're got. The one
in your room has leaves and ferns around it,
and hadn't thing but these old chaps ly-
ing around. Don't you know, in that Dick
ems book, one of the fellows makes picture
of dried skeets | thought I'd try the cock
les, and it was great fun putting 'em up.
Neat thing, ism t it p
The utter absurdity of the Golden Rule
being framed in cockroaches never struck
Johnny, but it did Sue aud she was on the
brink OF laugh, when glance at the boys
face, as he surveyed his work with pensive
satisfaction, made her smother her merri
ment by great effort, and try to answer
gravely
i" | never saw anything so curious; and
do hope you will remember not to be cruel
for papa says really brave people never are
and ! know you aren't coward, for yor
never hit a boy smaller than yourself,
gently moralized Sue.
I'd be mean sneak if did " exclaimed
johnny with scorn.
"Then | shouldn't think you'd hurt
poor little cat, who cannot fight one bit,
added Sue, feeling that she had got him now
No answer from Mr. John, who suddenly
affected to be absorbed with a refractory
roach, who would twirl around ON his pit
instead of pointing gracefully upward in tbs
last letter of the word You" But SUE
saw slight quicker around his mouth, ant
knew that it was all right, for that peculiar
pucker was a sure sign that emotions of tn,
tender sort were getting under way. So sh,
put her hand on his arm, whispering with
gentle pat
You needn't say you are sorry, for Puff
and forgive and forget. Won't you pleas
come down, dear can't enjoy myself bi
if you don't"
"You go along, I'll come in q minute,
| llph buHllAs III tuf Slull tuHt tldt gu
knew by experience was the last growl OF thu
storm.
But she had barely time to get to the darl
corner Of the hall when there was rusl
from the rear, rough arm came around he
neck, kiss went off like pistol-shot ant
a voice that was no longer gruif said, all il
one hearty, incoherent burst:
81 am sorry, ! never will again, you're
frst-class girl, and III keep the old cookie
up there foreyer'n ever to make me remep
Der To- be as good to cats and things as you
are TO met"
Sue had many laugh aGterNard to pa,
her for the one so wisely smothered at tina
critical moment, and Johnny's repentance
though it took dro form, was sincere, TO
he laid the words of the cockroach motto t.
heart, and tried to be worthy the love anC
respect of iirst-class sister"
! Brothers and sisters can do great dea
for one another in this direction, not by con
slant fault-inding. but by patiently trying
to cure the faults in the kindest way. Their
are plenty of little reforms in manners anC
habits, as well as in thoughts and feelings
TO be undertaken, and the best test of friend
ship is this mutual help and confidence
Mss Aicon, IN 81 Nicholas.