Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-21
The Red-hOt Penny.

Everybody in the village of TIeppinglee
agreed that it was very kind of Squire Mead
ows during the winter months when the
roads were bad, to allow the highway trav-
elers to go across his grounds, on his own
private road, and out into the public
thoroughfare again on the other side This
short cut lessened the travellers journey by
good mile and half, for otherwise he
would have had to go all around the park
which he was now permitted to pass through.
During the winter, therefore, the traffic
along this private road became so great,
that some of the village boys were in the
habit of turning an honest penny by open
ing the gate, at the entrance OF the grounds,
for the carriages and light carts that came
by that way.
One evening Sam and Ben (for these were
their names) remained there later than
usual. 1t had been market-day in the neigh
boring town, SO many carts had passed, and
the children were still lingering in the hope
of some more chances for penny, as the
drivers of the market-carts had not hitherto
proved very generous.
Presently Sam paused in his jumping over
snowy stump, aud said, Ben, do you
hear anything 2"
Both boys listened, and in moment or
two their practiced ears detected the quick
trot of a horse on the snowy ground. The
gate was flung open in an instant, and adog-
cart passed through, the horse driven by a
gentleman, who flung copper to the boys
as he went by.
The snow was deep, and the penny fell
with some force, and sank into it, so that
in the waning twilight it could not be read
| lily seen. However, both boys were down at
Il A l. /
erly for the hidden treasure.
Once more the sound of wheels met their
ear, and just as Sam sprang to open it, Ben's
| hand turned over some snow and lighted on
the penny. Acting upon sudden impulse
he popped it into his pocket, saying to him
self, " Sam needn't know, and then to NOR
row can buy that whistle I've been want
ing so long" The carriage passed on its
way, but the coachman gave the boys moth,
ing, and Sam returned to the search.
You've not found it, have you 2" said he,
as Ben still feigned to look for the money.
No, I'm afraid it's no use looking any
more" replied Ben, "it's rather cold, shall
we go?"
"All right said Sam. "We'll come
down early in the morning, and look for it. -
| So off went the brothers to their home.
Poor Ben crept into bed without saying
his prayers that night. Somehow he did not
feel as ii he could pray with that penny, aud
the lie he had told about it burned into his
conscience. Neither could he sleep. The
money was under his pillow, and he felt as
if it were getting hotter and hotter, till ii
scorched his check. Restlessly he tossed
about till at last, towards morning he fell
into an unquiet, dreamful slumber.
But even in his dreams the penny seemed
to scorch him. Now he was racing as if fol
life, down snowy road, aud great big
penny like a dagger, behind him. AT
another time he thought he was struggling
in river with ice over his head, and penny
hung round his neck, dragging him down
down to the bottom.
At last he awoke, the horrors of his dreams
still upon him. lie could bear the stings OF
conscience no longer.
SAM" said he, &" want to tell you
something. did find that penny after all
and here it is, and I'm so unhappy, don't
know what to do"
Then tender-hearted Sam put his arms
around his brother and tried to comfort
him; but seeing that nothing made him
feel much better, he whispered at last
Come, Ben, let's kneel down here and tell
God about it. Mother says that's the only
way to get right again" So they knelt
down together by Sans bed, and Ben sobbed
ont confession of his sin, and prayed to be
forgiven. Then the boys went back to theiI
beds, and fell asleep.
We are glad to tell you that Ben did not
lose his tender conscience as he grew older
nor did he ever forget the misery of what
he called the " Red-hot-penny night
Chad's Companion.