Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-03
/" As Good as He Caves

And DER the path we walk In
That love shall scatter flowers
GAS Good as He Caves
whats the matter with you tonight,
Gerald What are you so thoughtful
about? Anything wrong, my boy ?"
Gerald Manning looked up as his father
spoke, and said gravely, " It's only that am
little troubled about Ned Cooper It is
not pleasant to be hated as that fellow
| hates me-"
"What have you done to deserve such
hatred, Gerald ?" asked Mr.. Manning
Nothing, except of course to try to be at
the top of my class but he was always at
the top believe before was moved up to
that form, and ! suppose it is natural that
he should feel vexed at having a younger
boy little above him-though am sure it
| is little enough and | could not help it,
could n"
al do not know that you could" replied
Mr. Manning, "but you need not make your
self unhappy about It, If you have done
nothing wrong, you can leave the rest and
now You have come home for the HOLIDAYS.
any ill-will on the part of Ned Cooper will
have time to die out before you meet again"
No, papa" reioined Gerald, 4" | am afraid
we shall meet again sooner than you think
or than | wish. Ned Coopers father has
taken a house not far from here, and they
are to move into it this week so that we
may see each other often. o papa, never
had an enemy in my life before, and it
makes me feel very uncomfortable when
think of what he said Just as | was leaving
school. Look here, Manning said he,
you have just got my place in the school,
and I'll never forgive you and if ever | get
chance of paying you off, you may be sure
| shall do it."
| "Well, Gerald" said his father, my ad-
vice to You is to carry the whole matter in
| prayer to God, and ask him to soften the
heart OF this lad; and watch yourself care
fully, too, and be sure that no bitter feeling
rises in your heart to prevent your forgiving
Ned Cooper in all sincerity" So saying,
Mr.. Manning left the room, and Gerald, after
| thinking over for awhile what his father
had been saying. betook himself to his work
shop as he called little room which his
parents had fitted up with everything to suit
his mechanical tastes.
Gerald had a natural talent for the use of
tools, and nothing gave him more enjoyment
than morning spent in his workshop. On
this day, however, he had little thing to
| do. few weeks before, an uncle of Ger
AIDS had brought him, as present, beau
tiful little ship; but Gerald's young cousin
had got hold of it during Gerald's absence,
and had pulled it about until the rigging
and sails were quite spoiled, and the paint
rubbed from the sides of the vessel. Now
to restore all its former beauty to the little
ship was Gerald's great concern, and this
was the task he set himself. The Job took
very much longer than he expected, and sew
eral days went by before the rigging of the
Sea-Gull as he called his boat, was COM
pleted. However, it was finished at last, and
Gerald full OF triumph at his success, placed
it on the seat of the window, and went out
out for long walk in the woods
| "Come, my boy, you are rather late, said
Mrs. Manning, as her son walked into the
room sit down at once, Gerald, and have
your tea am sure you must need it,
The meal passed merrily; then Gerald
said, rising from the table, I" | must 90 and
have look at my Sea-Gull; the paint ought
to be about dry, by now"
| He left the room, but in moment Mr..
and Mrs. Manning heard a cry of distress,
which made them follow quickly.
There stood Gerald, holding in his hand
the little vessel, once so bright aud new,
now spoilt and defaced almost past know
ing The point had been rubbed aud daubed
while still wet--the slender masts were
broken off short, the pretty white sails were
torn to shreds-the vessel was quite spoilt.
| Papa" said Gerald Z" | know who has
done this this is some of Ned Cooper's
work He has long known that had a
workshop, and he has passed by and seen
this boat in the window, and he has spoilt
it to revenge himself upon me. | shall
never forgive him-never neverl"
Mr.. Manning saw that the best plan to
quiet Gerald would be to leave him quite to
himself, SO drawing his wifes hand through
his arm, he left the room, shutting the door
behind him.
| 1t was quite two hours before Gerald was
seen again, and then it was bedtime, and he
came to say good night. His face was very
pale but he was quiet, and even cheerful
and as his parents kissed him, they felt sure
that he had conquered his passion, and fore
bore to ask him any questions.
The next morning Gerald said to Mr.
Manning, Papa, may | go into the town
with you this morning there is something
want to get there
"Certanly you may, my dear," replied Mr.
Manning aud accordingly Gerald was set
down at shop-door in the town, while Mr.
Manning proceeded farther to his office
After few minutes spent in the shop, Ger
aid came out carrying brown paper parcel,
and with this he walked home, a distance OF
about five miles. All that afternoon the
boy was very busy in his workshop let us
take a peep in at the window, and see what
he is doing. He is just putting the finish
ing touch TO a beautiful little ship, not un-
like the first one, but new and fresh, aud
needing only the additions of flag, name
in large white letters, and small cargo.
Painted very skilfully on the flag was
dove, holding an olive branch while, rather
in contrast to this peaceful emblem, the
white letters on the bow of the ship showed
that her name was The Revenge.
Just after dark on the same day, Ned
Cooper, who, after an idle afternoon was
trying TO fix his attention upon book, was
surprised TO see the servant come in with
large parcel, directed in firm round hand
10 himself. lie opened it, and you may i'm
agine his surprise when he saw "a little ship,
complete in every way. With a strange
choking sensation in his throat he opened
the letter too, and read the following few
lines
" Dear Ned;-I am quite sure it is neither right
nor pleasant for us To be enemies. II have done
anything to provoke you, please forgive me. II
you have done anything To anger me, forgive
you Pray accept this little present from me,
and let me remain, Your sincere friend,
GERALD MANNING"
This was Gerald's revenge, and very
thorough revenge he would have thought it
too, could he have seen poor Ned go down
on his knees at the table, and sob as il his
heart would break.
Ned did not sleep much that night, but
early the next morning he set off to go to
Gerald Manning.
At the meeting of the boys some tears
were shed on both sides, and this without
either of them being at all unmanly. That
the peace and understanding between them
were perfect, we can hardly doubt; nor cah
we doubt either for one moment that Gerald |
felt he had in the best sense of the words,
given back to Ned as good as he gave"
BE not overcome with evil, but overcome
evil with good