Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-02

Patty and Tidy were old enough TO have
been two or three terms at school, though
never once had they been inside school
house; but mind you, my little friends, it
wasn't because they didn't want to go, but
because there was no school 10 go TO until, in
the summer of-how | wish il had been
l77G, so we could have centennial story ;
but truth must be told, so | suppose ! must
put down-ls02, they had built log school
house "down to the lloller," not twenty
miles from the very place whore the WATCH
MAN is printed, and Just two miles from
where Patty aud Tidy lived.
Such an opportunity for schooling was not
to be neglected in those days, and so it was
settled that these two girls should begin
their education. There was quite a long
piece Of woods between their house and the
" lloller" which made II cool aud shady, 10
be sure and dangerous as we'll, for bears
ran at large them as tramps do now-adaysi
so their mother would go through the woods
with them in the morning, aud then at night
60 out TO meet them. But one day the
teacher was suddenly taken III, and school
was dismissed before the usual time.
"What shall We do 2" asked Tidy.
"Go home" answered Patty.
"But mother won't be at the woods TO meet
us shan't you be afraid -
Afraid Of what 2" asked Patty.
Why, of bears and things" replied Tidy.
No, not mite" said Patty; "come
along and along they went, aud by a
charming way it was, too--now in deep, cool
shade and now fecked with sunlight and
with a sociable little brook to keep them
company all the while. Then there were
chipping squirrels and whirring partridges
and singing birds, which could almost be
caught, for they weren't so shy in those
days perhaps nobody stoned them. am
sure hope not.
"Oh, Patty, see what's that over there %
said Tidy.
" Over where p
"Why, over by the big hemlock don't you
see 2"
ooh, yes, see, it's a-why it's bossy
sure as the world Let's 20 and see it."
"Why, here are two don't you s'pose W,
could drive 'em home, Tidy 2" and patt,
picked up stick and cried" whay, whay
there go long A." But go they wouldn't ON,
step.
"Tildy, you take the dinner basket, anc
go along and call EN-" And obedient Tild,
ran in front and held out her basket sayin,
in her most coaxing tone, BosSy, bossy
bossy." 1t was OF no use, they would neithe
be coaxed nor driven.
"Well, I know what We can do" sal
Patty, "we can go aud tell father and he cal
drive EN-" So off they started at full spec,
and soon came TO where their father wa
, working in the field, and as soon as eve
Patty could get breath, she said "Oh father
, there are two little calves out in the wood,
and won't you go and get em "
= Whose are they " asked their father
"They don't look as if they belonged t
! anybody" answered Tidy.
. How do they look "
Why, kind of furry, they are just alik,
and black as can be aud they have got shol
a legs. | wish you would 60 and see to EN-. -
, We'll, rather CUES, they need seeing to,
said her father and lac hurried of to Tia
house after his gun, then to Widow Waite
mans after her son Tom, aud they both wer
off in the wood. Not long after, the repol
- of a gun was heard. aud then another. an