Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-23

] hldhShil.
Sunday morning came, clear aud cold, and
the two younger children could scarcely wait
for the time to come when they might start,
to realize their long anticipated dream of
church-going. 81 don't know what for you
want TO 20 so bad, said seven year old
Charley ats a horrible place" But Char
ley's lack Of enthusiasm for the service,
which had lost the flavor of novelty, in no
wise dampened Neds ardor. Emily wanted
to GO "coz Neddy did" aud timidly echoed
all his sentiments on the subject. Susie,
whose dignity seemed little injured, by the
fact that " the children" as she styled them,
were to share equally with her in the priv
ilege of accompanying her favorite uncle to
church, did not think it best to express feel
mgs of unmixed pleasure on the occasion,
while to Hal and Charley the church-going
was a decided nuisancei but since go they
must, the scamps privately made up their
minds to have a little fun out Of it,
You see," says Master Hal, 81 pa and ma
won't be there, and Uncle Ned won't mind
us, he'll be so busy with the little uns"'
Uncle Ned had decided TO take the chill
dren to another part of the city, to a differ
ent church from the one where Mr.. and
Mrs. Graham attended. SO, after due prep
aration on the part of the little people, the
procession marched forth, Uncle Ned lead
ing the two youngest-IIal and Charley
lingering in the rear, while Susie, with her
most dignifed manner, led the van
The neighbors looked out, and laughed at
the happy group only old Nurse Tyler who
had, with many head-shakngs, helped dress
the children, murinured to herself, guess
Mister Edard 'ull be sorry for this days
work" At that moment "Mister Ed'ard
felt no forecastiug Of coming events, and
chatted gaily with the children as they
walked down Allen street But near the
corner Of the street there was a smooth bit
Of ice which proved too tempting to the
tail end Of the regiment TO be easily resisted
and so they stopped for just one slide"
The rest Of the party had got some distance
down French street, when Neddy's bright
eyes detected that the boys were not with
them. After standing still few moments,
Uncle Ned told Susie to stand with the little
ones, while he walked back.
Before he reached them, his mind seemed
to take in his situation moEs fully than it
had yet done, and he did not feel quite so
iubiant as he had before he made the dis
coyery that boys will be boys, Saturday or
Sunday And when the boys were found,
dusting of the railing 10 the steps Of a va
cant house, with the sleeves to their now
winter coats, his just anger conquered his
rising disinay, and he spoke to the dirty de
linquents with considerable force. Boys
I'm ashamed Of you You cannot go to
church with us, unless you can behave prop
erly. Come quick, aud let me brush you of"
The boys obeyed silently, and after being
vigorously busted of by Uncle Ned, the
three walked rapidly on to rejoin the others.
But, alas, here Uncle Ned was destined to
find new trials. Susie, thinking herself as
competent to take the children on to church
as Uncle Ned, had attempted to go on, much
to Neddys aversion. lie stoutly protested
against stirring one peg, and danced round
Susie in defiance OF all entreaties or threats.
Emily, too timid to object for herself to any
thing, began to cry at the behavior of her
dear champion, Neddy Finally, Susie sue
ceeded in catching the tail TO Neds coat,
and then it was easy to catch his hand, and,
holding it fast, while taking Emily by the
other, .he started to cross the street. Ned,
vigorously screaming, resisted every step,
and finally sat down, just on the curbstone,
whence all Susies exertions found it impos-
sible to move him, and from which vantage
ground hs aud Emily poured forth success
sion Of howls aud cries that were fearful to
hear.
Such was the state Of affairs when Uncle
Ned found them, and after due rebuke to
Susie, who did not receive it in proper
spirit, and wiping the tear-stained faces Of
the little ones, it was with heavy heart
that Uncled Ned went on his way again.
All went on quietly enough till they reached
the middle Of the Park, where the older
boys, who had been getting greatly excited
over the discussion as to how much money
year man could live on-lIal saying
that thousand dollars was enough while
, Charley stoutly insisted that a million was
the smallest possible sum that would do
came nearly to blows. Uncle Ned separated
the combatants in the war of words, and
sternly bade them return home. The boys
would not promise TO behave WELL if he
. would pardon their msdemeanoIs, and SC
Uncle Ned was obliged to give up the pleas
ure of their further company. The fate that
had befallen their two brothers, had very
solemnizing effect on the rest OF the LITTLE
, party, and the remainder of the walk wa
! finished very quietly.
Arrived in the church, curiosity soon go
the better of Neddy, and in loud tone o
a voice, as they walked up the aisle, he calle'
. out" Uncle Ned, which door does the cir
s. Gus come in 2" Poor Uncle Ned | think h
was to be pitied, don't your lie left tn
G question unanswered till he had seated tn
: children in the pew; then he explained Il
G Neddy all he could about the church and it
II services, and cautioned him against. max
;. ing remarks and comments in such an audi
d BILE voice.
II The opening prayer suggested a new ide
( to the little fellows active brain. "Uncl
n Ned" he whispered, =" is God here ?" " Yes
lie Neddy." "Where is he ?" Uncle Ned eS
ID planned as well as he could, that God was
e, spirit, and was everywhere, though he eoul
IN not be seen. Little Ned was silenced, bu
re not at all enlightened, and pretty soon gay
voice to another question. " Are the angel
IS here ?" Yes" "Where are they? Ar
" they them peoples what's getting up and snl
ID ing Where's their wings ?" These diff
ID cult questions being answered. peace SCENE
a to brood over the young minds for a seasoi
! But, at last, catching sight of venerabl
d gentleman, with silvery hair, aud long, flow
ce ing beard, Neddy burst forth in an excite
d. whisper, pointing his chubby finger in tn
10 direction of the gentleman, "Theres on
angel here, anyhow He's got his wing
,d tucked under his coat" The whisper wa
%. an audible one, and a smile ran over til
a 10. 81