Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-10-10
The Minister'S Bargains.
nY MARY I. c, WYErI.

where is that great hat going with that
small boy, l wonders?
1t was the minister VINO wondered.
Sammy was the small boy who wore The
great hat. 1t was his brothcr's hat, and il
was very, very large one. The brim
came down behind to the end of sammy 5
blouse, and hung over his face in front, Sc
far that one could only see the tip Of his
chin from under it,
But Sammy did not think himself at all
quenChed by this tat of Dicks. In fact.
he felt very big whenever he wore the
Katy, as Dick called his straw hat. | III
ways wondered why Dick should call a
straw hat straw Katy. Wnen asked
Dick why he did so, he answered: :" Why,
because that is its name.N You know that
was the self. same reason that the old Dutch.
man gave for calling his boy Hans. And
| could see some reason in the Duichmau'
reason, although can and never could
see any in Dicks So | just kep, on Won
derinr why straw hat should be called Il
straw Katy.
When the minister, who was leaning
over his side gate, looking into his garden
made the wondering remark that have
quoted, Sammy, who heard HIM very well
lifted up his head, so that he could see tho
ministers shjr.-bosom, and answered
slowly: " 'Tisn't a-going anywhere with
me. I'm a-going with it."
oh sai the minister, "isu't it2 ]
supposed it was Well, since it is moi
going with you, think it may us wei
stop with me; mayn't it?" and the minis
lers blue eyes twinkled merriy, as he
reachcd'ovcr the fence and, lifting Sam-
my's hig hat by the brin from his yellow
curly head, placed it on his own head
Sammy looked up into the kindly, smil-
ing eyes, and answered guvey; "Yor
don't look 50 very becoming in Dick.
hat"
Donot ?" asked the minister Tut
tut But that is Il pity, Then must Ger
tainly try to act becomingly. Step into
my arbor here and eat cookies and cher.
rics until come buck. This bio hat makes
me think that my potato patch needs hoe
ing and is full Of weeds"
" our whole garden is full of weeds,
said Sammy, candidly, as he helped him
self to Il cookey. Dick says you ought tl
hire IL boy TO hoe it,
Shouldn't wonder if Dick was right, y
said the minister; but for all that, rather
Lhnl, I'll have to hoe it myself, provided
can hire this hat for half an hour lisa
regular hoeing hat, isn't it?'
Sammy's mouth was full Of cherries, sC
he shook his head but rs soon as he coulc
speak he answered No sir; it's u Katy
Its made a-purpose TO keep the sun off Il
fellow"
"Oh!" said the minister. "Wcll, sup,
pose that hire it TO keep the sun of O
me, What will you charge me for ono
hours use Of it?"
Two plates Of cherries replied sam
my, at no loss for terms.
Its bargain SAID the minister, who
proceeded at once TO the tool house for tn,
hoe Having found the tool, he shoulder
ed ii and marched bravely out TO the po
tato patch To reach the potatoes, he hat
to pass the onion bed, and the rows Of pea
and beans, and carrots, and the beets. Oh
but they all looked sadly in need Of tht
hoe and some good, strong fingers
Dearie me" said the minister, :"
don't know where to begin"
Better begin on the bects," said sam
my, They come first"
"Sure enough" said the minister, re
hectivcly.