Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-16

sha'n't count one on either color. 'Tisn't
the thing" and like flash Fred turned
from the astonisned boys, and was soon back
in the garden, where Tony was just be-
ginning TO work.
Mollie saw the sturdy little figure as it
opened the gate, and her heart gave glad
bound as she thought Of the decision of her
resolute brother, and of lis influence, per-
haps, on his whole future life for she well
knew how often just counting one " was
the first step in the down.grade, step most
difficult to retrace, If ever done.
Mr.. Hawthorne, as he passed his son on
his way down town, placed his hand on his
shoulder and said in low, earnest voice,
" Best be on the safe side, my boy, and
avoid all appearance Of evil
When the predictions of the lovely morn.
ing had been fulfilled, and the afternoon
was done, Mollie Hawthorne looked out upon
her garden, seed-sown and spaded, all COM
pleted, thanks to skifu Tony and obliging
Fred. The evening paper was thrown in
the door just as the family sat down to tea.
Mr.. Hawthorne opened it, and glancing over
the locals exclaimed:
" Here is something which will interest
you, Fred" and he read the following:
A DIsGRAcEFUL AFFAIR.-A disgraceful affair
occurred IN tne park THIS afternoon, resulting
finally In a rough-and-tumble fight among some OF
the older boys of the Durham street school. Some
OF the younger lads were drawn into the ARRAY,
and one OF them, Eddie Draper, was quite seriously
injured. 1t oil arose from betting on the colors
the red gaining the day by n large majority OF
counts. The smaller boys were swindled ont of
their money marbles, knives, and whatever avail
able property they possessed. We can only hope
that this, their first lesson In gambling, will
prove their last or they may go-where some OF
their mates tp-niQht-to gnpud n al apf-
vice behind iron bars.
Eddie Draper was the very boy who had
said to Fred that afternoon, "Guess the
blues'll beat" and his count had lost him
reputation aud honor, while a severe wound
upon his head might prove a serious affair.
There was seed sown that spring after
noon in more than one heart, and the har-
vesting would determine the wheat and the
tares.
After supper was over Mr.. Hawthorne
took from his pocket packet of tickets.
ely around lively now," he said, " we'll all
go down to the Thomas Concert; the JEFF
Persons are not to be home, and they have
sent us the tickets they were so fortunate as
to secure"
You may be sure they were not slow to
obey such bidding, and the evening closed
in most delightful and harmonious man.
ner; Fred's heart, in particular, beat in
grateful time TO the inspiring strains Of the
music. How sadly different would the
night have been had he counted one with
those whose footsteps that day had turned
so far away from the path of truth and
honesty
As the brother and sister wendell their
way home under the bright sky, the new
moon with her silvery crescent attracted their
attention.
Erred" said Mollie, "bow seven times to
the new moon the first time you see it, and
before a month is out you will receive a
present, but do not have too much faith III
such an oracle"
And Fred in most energetic obedience
bobbed his head the magical number Of
times. The next day at school nothing was
talked of but the sad occurrence of the pre-
ceding day.
"Guess you're glad you backed out of it
Fred" said one of the boys as in sober
group they gathered around him.
aim glad didn't count one nth them,
returned the lad.
THAT'S right, my boy" and the teach
er's voice was full of feeling as he Joined
his pupils, and overheard the earnest re
mark, " Such count would only multiply
evils and dangers; never learn such at
arithmetic as that
May-day was as bright and warm as one
could wish, and the holiday was improved
by young and old. The Durham street
grammar school boys were all invited to 8
kind of sugaring-off at their teachers houst
in the evening. The huge kettle of syrup
was allowed to boil up and thcken, and wa
then in genuine old-fashioned style eater
with new, crisp, symmetrically twisted
doughnuts. 1t was an evening full of sweet
ness, at all events, and every boy in tn,
merry company carried away with hin
memories which would make him bette
man when tempted to count on the wrong
side. When Fred Hawthorne went to hi
own chamber that night he found on hi
table a lovely wreath of May blossoms, Il
which was attached these words in Molie'
writing:
"Be thou faithful unto death and will
| give thee crown of life"
Fred recalled his walk home under tn
light of the new moon, and the fragrant gif
was reminder of precious truth, unfailinl
and eternal. Count one among the faithful
overcomers, dear boys, and be numbere,
among the Lords children.-Zion's A duocatt