Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

of mischief 2"
Deacon Ellsworth raised his hands in
horror.
Deacon Miles gave utterance TO hollow
groan.
"Then it is true p said Deacon Ellsworth.
You admit it ?" put in Deacon Miles,
interrogatively
"What is true, and what do admit 2"
demanded the perplexed minister, in be-
wilderment.
"That you play checkers !" said Deacon
Ellsworth, with look of woe unutterable
"That you told Polly Griswold If you had
children you would teach it to them your
self !" said Deacon Miles, wiping his fore
head with his handkerchief.
The pastor could not well refrain from
smiling.
"Why, yes, / may have told her something
like it," he replied; but, brethren, do you
believe there's any harm in simply playing
checkers DO you not think recreation
will tend to keep young people out Of mis-
chief better than all my preaching ?"
But our boys never learned to play" the
deacons answered, and though we do say it
| ourselves, they are never caught in mischief"
A look of mingled pain and pity came over
Mr. Manton's face, but his tone was firm and
earnest as he replied
"Now, brethren, | don't know but what
you may be vexed with me for speaking
| quite so plainly, but | must tell you some
thing that | saw to-day. First, let me ask
YOU where your boys are now 2"
"Why, they're at school, of course" said
Deacon Miles.
"No, Deacon Miles, they're not at school.
| They told the teacher their fathers wanted
them at home. And then
The pastor paused and fixed his eyes upon
the ground.
"And then ?" asked Deacon Ellsworth,
huskily. "What then 2"
"You will not be angry with meal
though it is my duty to tell you any way ?"
aid Mr.. Manton.
"No, we won't be angry"
" Your boys are doCn al Biodgeu'S tavern
THROWING DICEr
Had a red bolt of lightning fallen then and
there at those two deacons' feet, their con-
sternation could scarcely have been greater.
Deacon Ellsworth was the first to find his
tongue.
81 don't believe it - he exclaimed. at
is lie, sir-a baseless fabrication got up by
you to prove your point !"
"Come with me then," said the pastor,
sadly. :" saw them but half an hour ago."
Slowly and with funerea step the trio
wended their way down to the place where
Nahum bloogett retalled MS death-invoklng
wares. -,
At Mr.. Manton's suggestion they gained the
mouse by rear entrance and got IN room
'uJoIhihg Inat occupied oy the Two boys
say blll, sad Charley Miles, would
we not catch 1t II our two respected fathers
'hould catch us mere Ned never near
the last OF 1t.
lou "o"t you young reprooate-you
WON'T groaned Deacon Miles, IN mingled
anger, grlef, and shame.
l don't care Bill Ellsworth answered
they needn be SO strict its William,
don't 40 tins, and William, don't 40 that,
and William that Is wicked, and William,
fear you'll never be a Christian, all the
time' II we could only have our games at
nome like other boys, we wouldn't come here,
would WEI
The deacons groaned IN concert now.
81 hate the name OF Christian, added
Charley. When grow up, II am Chris
tan, which the Lord forbid II nave boys
| I'll let 'em play at home, so they needn't go
to the tavern like we do. q, such long faces,
II fellow only wants to have a little tun