Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-07-29
9y1omth' q Column.
HOW WILLIE PROVED HIS
MANLINESS.


many boys, for his father had a horse,
and Willie was allowed to ride him at
times; besides this, cousin had given
him a saddle. But Willie hadn't very
high opinion Of the horse, and, l must
say, l can't blame him. The horses
name was Billy, and when tell you he
was soon surnamed "Balky," you can
guess why Willie did not think very
highly of him.
"If l only had a donkey!, he would
say. at costs so little to keep one, for
there are lots of thistles growing around
here
"You are not old enough yet to own a
donkey" his father said; "when you
show me, by your steadiness and manli-
ness, that you are fit to be trusted, you
shall have one: let me see you learn to
saddle Billy first"
Now, Willie's mother thought her lit
tie son very manly, indeed. for his age.
He was about eight years old, and he
could chop kindling-wood, ride three or
four miles to the grocer's. buy long
list of articles, and, packing them all in
a saddle bag. come back with the right
change and not parcel missing. Be-
sides these accomplishments, there were
others of which Willie was not so proud,
but which his mamma thought very USE
full ones: he could churn, make single
beds, and set the table for dinner. He
was great skater, fond of reading, and,
best of all, devoted to his mother.
Mamma, though she thought he really
deserved his donkey, yet kept watching
for chance to show how manly her boy
was, quite as .anxiously as Willie him.
self.
One day Mr.. Brainerd had to leave
home for some time; he felt particularly
sorry to do so, as his wife had had a
very severe cough, and the doctor feared
she might have hemorrhage of the
lungs. Still it was his duty to go.
"Now, Willie, I leave you to take
care of your mother. If her cough grows
worse, or her side pains her, go at once
to the Village and get the doctor. Be
sure you notice, and if she seems lonely
try and get some friend to come out and
stay with her"
Willie drew himself up. and said very
gravely, Don't worry, father mother
shall be un- un-wittingly cared for"
He rather gasped at the word,-he
wanted a big one, and came very near
remembering the right one. Papa smiled
and his mother explained the difference
between unwittingly and Unremittingly
If you look up the words in the diction-
airy, as Willie did, you will be sure new.
er to get them mixed.
Mr.. Brainerd left on Monday, and al
went we'll till about FIVE clock Tuesday
afternoon then Willie, coming in, founc
his mother on the sofa, while Bridge
was giving his little sister her early tea
mamma, you're not we'll" he said
"shan't 60 to the village p
'Oh. no, my darling my side pains
little more than usual but come and 81
by me and tell me what you have beef
doing. l shall be better soon."
Sure enough. Mrs. Brainerd brighten
: ed by a-time and enjoyed playing tn
word-ga with Willie before he wen
to bed. But by ten o'clock she began t
feel very sorry she had not let her DO,
go for the doctor: her side panied he
very much and the cough was worse
She was afraid it would never do to b
left alone with an ignorant servant AM
two little children. She looked out j
was dark night. They had not live
on the farm more than a year and wer
not at all intimate with their neighbors
still there was house not far off; tn
best thing would be to get Willie to ru
over and ask some one to 90 to the vii
lage. So, before eleven o'clock, sh
walked the boy. 1t was hard work
! you've no idea how boy can sleep VIII
has been skating and coasting all day
8 unless you've tried to wake one.
At first you stand by the bed an
speak to him,-no answer. You touc
him quite gently, as you don't wish
:, startle him,-he feels nothing. The
! you shake him, turn him. he suddenl
starts up. and, to your horror, aims
i blow square at your nose, with an indi,
= nant. Cant you let Teller be 2" B
4 fore yon can recover your senses h
head is back on the pillow and he
asleep, or rather his dream is changed
: he never walked at all.
But at last Willie was reused, and
soon as he understood that his moth
was i'll, he jumped out of bed and beg;
Of to put on his clothes. Mrs. Brainal
y was SO proud of her "big boy" that 81
lie sometimes forgot how young he real
D. was but that night, as she watched hi
e. dress, he seemed such child-almost
re baby How small the knee pants WEI
err and what little jacket to be hurryil