Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-23
Lotty's Walk 10 Boston.


blue eyes so light that they seemed almost
white.
The man was nearly at his journeys end.
but something in the child's face attracted
his attention. Perhaps 1t was because he
had little girl ia his rough home that he
had left few hours ago. and the pitiful ex
preston in this young face touched his
father.hcart
Almost instinctively he stopped his tired
horse, and looked down upon her lie saw
that she was pretty. Her large dark eyes
were raised fearlessly. The little blue check
sun-bonnet had fallen TO her shoulders, and
the thick, fiat, brown curls were plastered
on her forehead by the perspiration caused
by walking in the sun.
Presently clear, musical little voice
reached his ear
Is Boston very far off now 2"
My next stopping place, puss. Are you
going to Boston There's only the long
bridge, way yonder, TO cross, and you're
there"
The child drew long sigh Of relief.
I'm so tired I" she said Guess III rest
a little longer
"where dye come from ?" asked the
droycr.
"'Way from Thornyille," mentioning a
town about twelve miles off aud she lifted
her old sun-bonnet to its proper place, and
tied the strings.
The drover took his basket, which was
filed with crackers, and ham and cheese ;
and, As the place happened TO be somewhat
secluded, he clambered down from the high
wagon, and seated himself beside the child.
Hungry 2" he asked.
Yes, sir" said she simply.
"Then eat !" and he filed her hand with
crackers $50 you're going TO Boston-sich
mite as you Well, well 20
I'm going to see DIR. Iris. Do you know
him ?" queried the girl, eagerly. !" lie lives
on fremont street, and he fixes peoples
eyes That's all he does do. One of the
neighbors told my mother about it, and she
said that he almost makes the blind see.
walked all the way from Thornvile'
"You walked 2"
Yes, sir"
"When did you set out 70
Yesterday, in the afternoon. Mother
thinks ! spent the night at Cousin Sara's
aud did mean TO, cause ! wanted her "a
80 with me but she was sick so | came
right on"
"Whew Walked from there, eh Where
did you spend the night 2"
In barn"
"What In a barn Well, you are one
of EN-, Your mother must hey sight o
faith in you"
ooh, she don't know it. | mean she
don't know I've come all this way stay
days sometimes at Cousin Sara's. And
there's Betty at home--she's my sister--aud
though she is lame, she can do good bit
"but couldn't bear TO see mother suffer so.
:" If that don't beat all !" exclaimed tn,
drover, after long stare of admiration
" She's the pluckiest little critter ever
did see Well, all hope is that you mal
do what you come for, but don't know
DIR. Iris, s'pose, in one O. them rich feller
that wants big fees"
But don't want him TO come for moth
ing, said the child,
"Dont ~
"No, III pay him when am grown up
"Well, that's too good !" he roared. I'm
blessed if ] ever saw anything so funny il
all my born days. A kitten like you taking
about paying when you're grown up. HOY
old may you be now, Miss Miss
"My names Lofty and I'm nine mex
May" said the child, with serious manner
and nothing daunted by his air of ainuse,
interest.
"Well, well, neverl" muttered the Dire
yer, rising and stretching his brawny frame
But come, I'll give you ride as far a
Boston, anyway" and the next moment h
lifted her, as if she had been a feather, an,
placed her on the seat beside him.
So they logged along behind the staid oil
horses, while the man pointed out the sights
Everything was novel and delightful to tn
little woman. The long bridge, the spark
ling water, the vessels, and sail -boats, am
steam-tugs the CLINT of the sun upon tn
river; the fine carriages that rolled pas
them. Everything she saw she treasured
that She might carry the picture home fres
to her mother, and beguile the long, dark
painful hours with the story of her eA
perence
Leaving her with some pennies in he
hand, and as near to the place of her destina
ton as he conveniently could, the drove
went on, quite lost in admiration of thi
brave little soul, and Lofty began to lool
about her.
The noise of the streets, the hurrying
Jostling throngs, the cries and clamor OF tn
news-ycnders aud street merchants, discou
certed her little. In all her life she ha,
never seen such bewideringly beautiful
things as the shop windows displayed
was as good as a trip into fairyand, aud
thrill of genuine pleasure caused her for
moment TO forget the responsibility of tn
errand she had taken upon herself
1t was long time before she found tn
location she desired, and then, poor child
she fingered about the door with the sens
tive fear of novice. She had pictured b
herself so terrible an object, terrible mainl
because of the dignity and power with whic
Lab h..l Al II 4
could do, 1t seemed to her, almost what b
would with disease-she had so picture
him, say, that the thought OF meeting sue
greatness, embodied, probably, in the form
OF tall, princely parsonage, who woul
scarcely deign TO look upon her. caused he
poor little heart TO throb almost 10 suifoci
tion. At last she summoned sufficient coul
age 10 pull thes door-bel. handsome
motherly -looking woman opened tine dool
for the doctors servant, who usually attende,
to that duty, was busy putting the doctor
horse in harness.
, IL don't think the doctor can see yo
now, little girl, said the housekeeper, look
ing somewhat disdainfully upon the SINAI
figure and the homely cap-bonnet, in who's
darkening shadow the soft brown eyes wer
! almost hidden from sight.
40 please let me speak TO him Just q IN,
ment came all the way from Thornvill,
and haven't anywhere to Co."
She burst into tears. The sob and III
q pathos OF the childs tones had penetrate
into the interior of the house.
"Who is IT, Mrs. Sanderson ?" spoke u
a singularly manly voice, as some one crosse
the hall.
"Only a little girl sir, She's come GOO
! distance, she says, but as it is after hours
| thought"
} "Never mind let her come in; IN q,
her minute or two"
Another second, and Lofty, her brain q
, in whirl, found herself, breathless az
/ trembling, in bright looking room, stan
/ ing IN the presence Of slender, light-hair,
gentleman, whose smiling eyes, like tv
benignant suns, seemed TO send light al
e cheer into her poor, cold, frightened lit
. heart.
y Well, anything the matter with your eye
4 little woman Come here and let me see
j Lofty, too much frightened to speak, WEI
: forward mechanically.
,. "They don't look like it. Suppose W
!. take off your bonnet aud let me exAmil
Q them more closely"
$ at isn't my eyes, sir it's mothers" 81
I said, falteringly.
40, aud who is mother Z"
"lts Mrs. Gaddis, sir, and we live
| phornxflla