Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-09-29

w" ""N suihV W 10, bVb Vut NJ Tue onutch
corner.
"NOw l shall probably never sec that child
again, yet what a pleasant picture she
leaves in my memory" 1 thought to myself,
as l caught glimpse Of the brown hat 60
ing round the corner. y
But l did sec her again many times, that
winter, for not long after, as passed down
certain street near my winter quarters, |
came upon q flock Of girs-0ating their |
luncheon as they walked to and fro on the |
sunny side,-pretty, merry creatures, all
laughing and chattering at once, as they
tossed apples from hand 10 hand, munched |
candy, or compared cookies. l went slowly,
to enjoy the sight, as do when l meet a
party Of sparrows on the common, aud was
wondering what would become Of 80 many
budding women, when all Of sudden, saw
my little schoolgirl.
Yes, knew her in a minute, for she wore
tho same brown hat, and the rosy face was
sparkling with fun as she told secrets with
a chosen friend while eating n wholesome
slice Of bread and butter, as only hungry
schoolgirl could. She did not recognize me,
but took good lock at her as went by,
longing to know what the particular secret
was ended In such gale of laughter.
Alter that, L often saw my girl as l took
my walks abroad, and, one day, could not
resist speaking TO her when l met her alone
for usually her mates clustered round her
like bees about their queen, which pleased
me, since it showed how much they loved
the sunshiny child.
| had paper Of grapes in my hand, aud
when saw her coming, whisked out hand
some bunch already TO offer, for had made
up my mind TO speak this time. She was
reading paper, but looked up to give me
the inside of the walk. Before her eyes
could fall again, held out the grapes and
said, just as had heard her say more than
once to school mate at lunch time, "Let's
90 halves" She understood at once, laughed
and took the bunch, saying with twinkling
eyes
10, thank you they are beauties !"
Then, as we went on 10 the corner together,
l told her why did it, and recalled tho
car.ride. "Id forgotten all about that, but
my conductor is very kind. and always waits
for me" she said, evidently surprised that a
stranger should take interest in her small
self. did not have half time enough with
her, for bell rang, and away she skipped,
looking back to nod and smile at the queer
lady who had taken fancy to her. A few
days after, and fine nosegay of flowers was
left at the door for me, and when l asked
the servant who sent them he answered
"a little girl asked if lame lady didn't
live here, and when said yes, she told me
to give you these, and say, The grapes were
very NICE"
knew at once who it was, aud enjoyed
i' the funny message immensely, for when one
: leads quiet life, little things interest ant
> amuse.
u Christmas was close by, and planned q
10 return for the flowers of sort that fancied
% my young friend would appreciate. | knew
:, that Christmas week would be holiday, So
a the day before it began, | went to the school
d Just before recess, and left frosted, pummy
l. cake, directed TO "Miss Goldilocks, from she
D. knows Who"
6 At first did not know how to address
m my nice, white parcel, for l never had hearC
the child's name. But after thinking ovel
u the matter, remembered that she was the
% only girl there with yellow curls hanging
ID down her back, so decided to risk the oak,
with the above direction. The maid VIA
le took it in flor my girl went to private
Ie school smiled and said at once she knew
D. whom meant. left my cake, and strOlleC
y round the corner to the house of a friend
le there to wait and watch for the success o
IF my joke, for the girls always went that way
u at recess.
d Presently the little hats began to 60 bob
a bing by the silent street to echo with
d laughter, aud the sidewalk to bloom will
Ie gay gowns for the girls were all out in win
~ ter colors now. From behind a curtain
A. peeped at them, and saw, with great salts
y faction, that nearly all had bits OF my cake
a in their hands, and we're talking it over with
d the most Hattering interest. My particular
little girl, with friend on each arm, passed
d so near me that could see the happy look
10 in her eyes, and hear her say, with a toss o
le the bright hair
II "Mother will plan it for me, and | cal
D. get it done by New Year. Won't it be fur
D to hang it on the door some day, and run p
u fancied that she meant TO make some
g thing for me, and waited with patience, won
e. dering how this odd froic with my littl
IS schoolgirl would end.
p New Years day came and passed, but NJ
gift hung on my door; so l made up my
mind it was all mistake, and being pretty
c. busy about that time, thought no more o
ID the matter till some weeks later, as | cam
c. into town, one day, after visit in the couu
y try l am fond Of observing faces, aud sci
3 dom forget one if anything has PARTICULAR,
* attracted my attention to it. So, this morn
" ing as l rode along, looked at the con
30 ductor. as there was no one else TO observe
a and be had a pleasant sort of face. Some
how, il looked familiar, and after thinkin
IN idly about it for n minute, remember wher
IN had seen it before.
D. He was the man that waited for "littl
10 missy" and at once began to hope tina
IL she would come again, for wanted to as
~ about the holidays, remembering how sion
y, of fun" she was. ...
r. When we came to the South end squar
to where met her first looked out, expect
ne ing to see tho little figure running down tn
g. wide path again, and quite willing to wa
nd for it long time if necessary. But no on
ne was TO be seen but two boys and q do,
K The car did not stop and though the cor
y ductor looked out that way, his hand wa
c. not on the strip, and no smile on his face.
ID "Don't you wait for the little girl now p
l asked, feeling disappointed at not seein
ar my pretty friend again.
IN III wish | could, ma'am," answered III
a man, understanding at once, though Of cours
~ be did not remember me.
s. "New rules, perhaps2" l added, as no di
not explain, but stood lingering his punch
r. and never minding an old lady, wildly wa,
ing her bag at him from the sidewalk.
be "No, ma'am but it's no use waiting f
IL little missy any more bscause"-hOre b
to leaned 10 and said, very low, -''she is dead
IS, then turned sharply round, rung the bell, pu
Up the old lady 10, and shut the door
to How grieved was to have that pleasaI