Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-08-28

Let's go through the wood shed anf
lown the lane" he whispered. and So the,
| lid, not stopping to take breath until they
we're beyond the big moving lot. Joe ha,
he pail and the hatchet. but the buff Il,
robe had been left behind, and the fish pol,
could be cut in the woods.
| Marcia, with her eyes fixed upon th,
kichen door, waited patiently for half an
| hour, and then went into the house.
Dear me. haven these children gone
yet?" said Mrs. Peters, stumbling over her
with a pan of buttermilk; go straight
nut Of the kitchen. Marcia; Joe and JENNY
are going to the woods"
Marcia went out; what was more she
lid not come hack She had not come
| hack at sundown. when Mrs. Peters hur
ried home from the sewing society because
thunder storm was comiug up. She
lid not come with Joe and Jenny. who
came racing across the fields with the firsr
big drops, scared out of the woods by the
Iwful thunder that seemed to be muttering
'ver all their naughty deeds.
Why. where's Marcia? said the
mother
She didn't go with u.s." said Jenny.
guiltily.
She's been gone since morning" said
grandma. putting her apron over her head
md looking up and down the road.
The storm increased every instant. The
wind was tempest; the lightning seemed
10 set the very air on fire; the thunder al
most rocked the house, and the rain poured
in great white sheets down the windows.
Grandma wiped her eyes with her old
hands all in n tremble. Mrs. Peters groan
ed aloud, and searched the house and the
sheds, growing every moment more des-
perate, and Joe and Jenny crouched terri
fed in the corner, expecting every mo
ment to be struck, as a punishment for
their wickedness in running away from
Marcia. Worst of all, Mr.. Peters had
gone to get the horses shod, and nothing
could be done until ne came home.
Jenny crept up to grandma and hid her
face in her lap. Nobody was ever so
naughty that grandma didn't pity them
and the very touch of her kind old hand on
Jenny's heal was Il comfort By and bv
came the sound of wheels. and Mr.. Peter,
came in with queer anxious look on his
face. In his hand be held u bundle of wet
rags. 1t was Amaranth.
" See here, mo her, isn't this Marcia S
doll? Why, where is Marcia?n
80, John, she's lost; we can't find her
where did you find the doll?n said poor
Mrs. Peters
MIR. Peters turned very pale
- On the bridge by Finlav's mill" he
said slowly " it was hanging on the rail-
ing"
Joe and Jenny broke into passion of
sobbing and crying, but Mrs. Peters wen,
into her room and shut the door. Grand
ma with her arms around both of he chill
dren SAW Mr.. Peters jump Oh old Fan and
gallop away through the storm.
Old Mr. Finlay was busy in his mill.
The rain was filling the creek and turning
his WHEEL, and there was a long row of
bags waiting each one for its turn, so he
limped about singing and whistlng. On
pile of bags sat Marcia, with II great
harvest apple in her lap, watching the
hungry mill stones, and wondering what
became of all the pretty yellow corn thu
went pouring in at the hopper. Mr.. Fin
lay did not speak to her. but he threw her
II friendly nod now and then, and it was
plain TO see that he and Marcia under
stood each other perfectly. This was what
Mr. Peters saw when he rushed into the
mill. leaving poor old Fan all of foam
by the door. Mr.. Finlay nodded faster
than ever and said,
" Come for your little gel; reckone |
you'd be after her fore long; she's a nice
one, she is; me n my old woman would
be mi ghty g lad on herr" and then he went
on grinding rs if it was not all remarka-
BILE for four year-old baby to be two
miles from home all alone.
" Where were you going baby?H asked
Mr.. Peters, hugging her as he never had
hugged her before.
" Runnin' way" said Marcia, snug
Cling very close to her fathers arms.
u" Take Marcia home"
Whata welcome the little runaway had,
Mrs. Peters, grandma. Joe and Jenny
squeezed and kissed and petted her. and
found out for the first time how much
they loved her. Marcia took it all in 81.
lent astoni>hment, but when Mrs. Peters
felt the slender arms tighten about her
neck. the thin lips quiver against her
cheek, she felt very sure that she had mis-
taken her odd little girl. and that her
heart was hungry for love after all.
I'll never run away from her again"
said jenny; " she shall be in just as much
as she wants to-"
Well, don't know" said Joe. " I'm
awful sorry now. but just wait till we
want some reg lar fun and she comes tag
ging along. It's easier for fellow to get
good than it is to 4 ep good
Union.