Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-24

But though Polly thought, and thought
she as constantly shook her head. II was
no easy task there was little that she could
do for which Bob would care. suddenly her
face frightened
al know !" she cried, and with an uncon.
scious kick at the empty brown-coats, she
fairly flew down the roadway, never pausing
till she reached a small house, in the door Of
which sat an old gentleman reading.
This last was Uncle Alec, a man with no
relatives in the world save the meek little
woman who kept his house, yet uncle to all
the children in the neighborhood; the special
object Of their generation and love. TO
these Uncle Alec was wisdom personified;
to Polly, especially, an unfailing help. That
he could solve her problem, she did not doubt.
"l'ncle Alec" she cried, breathlessly 81
want you 10 tell me somethin' dreadful 10 do
to Bob Butlerl"
And what did Uncle Alec-scold. look
stern, and tell her what wicked girl she
was Z Not at all he simply patted her
flushed cheek, and said, softly
Why, little Poll, what has Bob Butler
been doing to you "
Polly, in her eagerness to punish the enc
my, had thought only of Uncle Aces power
TO help; something IN the grave voice troub-
led her. She wished she hadn't come. Still
she poured out huriedy the story of her
wrongs, exclaming
" | must do somethin' dreadful. He's a
bad boy and win !"
Did Uncle Alec scold No, he smiled.
Little Poll" he said you want to be
revcnged on Bob Butler? You want to do
something that will make him-oh, so sorry
that he empted your brown-coats, and keep
him from ever troubling you again You
want to punish him dreadlully "
Yes" gasped Polly.
Well" continued Uncle Alec, I've Just
got the recipe. Only you must promise to
do as | say"
Polly, | am sorry to admit, gave hearty
assent. But when Uncle Alec spoke she
blazed indignant.
Little Poll" he said, in a few days nuts
will be ripe. You must 60 to the woods and
empty enough brown-coats to fill your din
ner-pail. Heap it full aud plenty, then go
to Bob Butler aud say you picked them for
him"
For moment Polly could find no speech.
Suspense, disappointment and anger held
her spell-bouud. Pick chestnuts for Bob
Butler Fill her dinner-pail for that odious
boy
81 won't she cried, spdsnodically'
" Uncle Alec | WON'T" aud without another
word She rushed from the house.
But the next day came to Polly the re
membrance Of her promises she dared not
lie TO Uncle Alec, so desperately She began
her task Speedily the browu-coats multi
piled. and at the end OF a week Polly found
her pail full, aud in company with herself
standing in the presence Of Bob Butler
These are chestnuts,' she said g.
picked them-ior-you
Bob started.
Picked them for me l' he echoed.
Yes" she replied, "hecauso You stol'
mine It's the receep.'
Bob Butler was not deliberately wicke'
boy-only mischievous, and poorly taught
A great tear rolled down his cheek he hum
his head in shame.
81 don't understand you quite, Polly h
said, "but I'm awful sorry. And III tax
you sleddin every day this winter-see if
don't"
And Bob kept his word not only in thi
promise, hut proved henceiorth so true
friend 10 Polly that she had reason, a
through her lie, to rejoice over ncle Alec
'receep. - Christian World.