Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-05-28
sglonth's Column.
CRAY THORNTON's CHEsTNUTs.


gliding stealthily through the under
brush, as though seeking to escape OBJ
servation. He stopped and looked more
closely: but there was not SO much as
the rustic of leaf to betray the pres
ence of another. He turned into mar
row footpath, and at that moment a boy |
sprang up from behind clump of BUSH
es.
SIS this you. Cray?" he exclaimed.
"What on earth are you here for at this
time of day, and what have you got in
your bag?"
81 am going home, and l have got
chestnuts in my bag" was the reply.
"But thought the chestnuts were all
gone ?"
''They be. They was most gone
when | began to pick; but Mrs. Oliver
said might have what was left; and
SO I've been in the woods every day this
week, and I've got every one there was"
"All right: but what made you skulk
along so"
"Because-because-I was afraid
somebody would see me and tell father.
If they should, he would sell them for
rum; there don't anybody know except
mother. You won't tell, will you, Mr..
Weston 2"
mot word, Cray. You needn't be
afraid of my getting you into trouble.
What have you done with your chest
nuts ?"
Mothers hid them somewhere, and
when Mr.. Walters comes along, she's
going to buy me some shoes with them.
hain't got any shoes"
"Well, you need some shoes, and if
you don't have quite enough, tell Wal
tiers I'll make it up. He'll trust me, if
do get drunk once in awhile"
20, Mr.. Weston l wish you didn't.
You'd be SO good if you didn't; and
perhaps father'd be good, too, if he
didn't drink rum"
He ought to, with such boy as you be.
Ifmy Jimmy and his mother had lived 1
should be different from what be now. )"
And as he said this, Mr.. Weston brush
ed the tears from his eyes. "You won't
meet your father to-nig int. He's got
some money to spend before he'll come
home; SO hurry along to your mother,
and good luck to you BOTH"
The speaker was one of those men
who are usually described as good
hearted, kind and generous He had
a true Yankee trade of tinkering. and
wherever he might go, was reasonably
! sure of being welcomed as the very per-
son whose presence was most desired
He might have been rich, and yet he
. was poor, living in bit of house or
the farther end of the wood.
j After he had parted with Cray Thorn
e ton, he walked slowly and irresolutely
sometimes stopping for moment as hi
) thought sadly of his wasted life. H,
: was never ill-natured or quarrelsome
|, but he was his own worst enemy; anC
t this he knew so we'll that he needed no
}, to be reminded of the fact.
f A week passed, when he saw era,
o Thornton's father enter the miserabl
o grOggory which by compliment wa
Il called the "corner store" He quicken
It ed his steps and rushed in just in tim
e to see the bag of chestnuts carried b
/ Thornton poured into half-bushe
b measure.
i Hold on there !" he exclaimed
n "those chestnuts are stolen property
Is and | can prove it. I've done som
mean things in the way of drinking. bt
l never got SO bad as to steal chestnut
from a boy. Thornton stole them fro
Cray. 1 know be did, and if there ain
- enough here to see fair play it's pit
- Cray hain't got pair of shoes to b
% feet, and he picked them up. one by on
- after everybody else got through. Thor
a ton, you're brute if you sell them f
liquor. l never abused my boy, and
:. he had lived he shouldn't 60 barefoott
4. such weather as this. If you've got al
"A human feeling. you'll stop drinking al
:. take care of your family.
- You're fine fellow to preach. L
- quit drinking when you do, said Thor
ton.
;fa flake your oath on that?"
: "Yes."
,or "Then here goes-I'n never tou
al another drop of liquor while live.
% help me God"
A. With his right hand uplifted, N
Weston repeated the very wotds | ha
transcribed. $50 help me God"
m "I'll take back Cray's chestnuts
Is said the father.
~. Mr.. Thornton left the shop, follow
sa- close by his friend. They both we
lily silent. 1t was no time for talking, /
led from that day forward there was pier
or in two homes where had been power
m and happiness where had been fear a
en-, wretchedness.
lite Cray Thornton's chestnuts were
lell ransom of two souls from the thralld
ted of drunkard's appetite.