Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-06-18
The Three Dutch Boys.

One day three boys walked together along
the road that leads from the village of Dieren
to Arnheim, the capital of Cumberland. The
king was to visit Arnheim that day, and the
whole city was to be adorned with flags and
flowers. There would be a splendid display
of fireworks, too, such as the three boys had
never seen.
al can't agree with you, Fritz" said
Andres =" say it is impossible always to
do what is right
lie picked up a stone from the road, and
threw it among dozen sparrows, that were
tripping along at short distance.
Don't throw stones at those sparrows,"
said Pet the third boy. 9" It's cruel. Let
them alone"
"Indeed - said Fritz, making a very wry
face.
"Look herel" cried Pet ado you see
that hazel.tree there, over the ditch There
is kite stem in it as long as my father, I'm
sure. Let us jump across and cut it,"
SECT along" answered Audries. alt
isn't worth going for. know where to get
much better ones !"
"Indeed !" said Pet. "Where 2"
"The gardener next door to us has dahlia-
sticks six feet long in his garden. They are
painted green, with nice little gilt heads.
took one of them the other day; they are
capital"
.Oh, that's stealing" said Pet, in a soft
voice.
"Of course it is" added Fritz; "and
stealing is very wrong"
Nonsense /" said Andres, swapping his
fingers. "The gardener has plenty of them,
and won't miss one or two. You don't think
of right or wrong any more than | do
"Look, look do you see that storknest
on the top of the tree T. said Pet.
"Where Z" asked Andres, looking up.
"Oh, yes, | see ~ he cried, taking up
stone.
Don't" said Pet, knocking the stone
out of Andres hand.
"What is it to you 2" said Andres, in
cross voice. "Mind your own business,
sirl"
For shame!" cried Fritz "What cruelty
Throwing at those poor creatures"
While the boys were bantering in this
STYLE the crying of child was heard. Not
far from the road little girl was sitting on
the grass under bush, weeping. Judg-
ing from her dress she belonged to wealthy
people.
"Mammal |" cried the child, sobbing.
"Where is your mamma ?" asked Fritz.
The child gave no answer, but cried more
and more.
"Tell us, where is your mother p cried
Andres, impatiently stamping on the
ground.
The child got frightened, and cried louder.
The only word she said was, "Mamma
mamma !"
Pet seated himself beside her on the
grass, and taking her little hand, kindly
asked her. Will you come with me ?"
"Are you mad 2" cried Andres. "You
can't go to Arnheim, then. You'll lose the
kings procession and ALL"
"True," said Fritz. at is late already
we must make haste"
But we cannot leave this child Alone
said Pet.
"Nonsense ~ returned Andres /" she'll
find her way somehow or other I'm off"
"And so am l." said Fritz.
"But we cannot leave the poor thing
alone" resumed Pet. ali it grows dark
she must lie here all the night. Would you
like it, il you were such little child p
"Good.by, them said the boys, and off
they went.
Pet remained sitting by the side of the
crying child. lie looked around, hoping TO
discover some person. He noticed farm
house at a distance.
"All right" he said. am take the child
there. Come away, baby, III take you to
your mamma"
"Mamma," repeated the child sobbing.
am tell you what, Miss" he said, "we'll
try pick-a-back."
lie then squatted down before the child,
and put both her little legs over his shout
ders. The little thing was very much pleased
with this kind of conveyance. She would
even laugh when Pet to prevent her fall
ing, shook her upward every now and then.
No sooner did Pet, with his burden, APP
proach the farmhouse than a beautifully
dressed lady, who was coming up lane,
uttered loud cry as she fastened forward
TO take the child off his back. She kissed
her little one again and again, amidst tears
| of Joy and surprise. The child, too, laughed
and cried joyfully, and pressed herself to
her mothers bosom, and threw her little
arms around her neck, as If never to let her
go again.
Meanwhile gentleman came up from
another lane, and behind him the farmer.
Again from third lane came the farmers
wife, and the maid-servant, and the man
servant, and the cat, and the little dog.
All grouped themselves around the happy
mother. The gentleman took Pet by the
hand, and said
"My good little fellow, you have caused
us much JOY Where did you find her I"
"Yonder, by fir bush," answered Pet,
lie blushed deeply, for he had never spoken
to such rich gentleman before.
"And have you carried her all the way p
asked the mother. "She must have been
a heavy burden to you, I'm sure, my boy ~
al often carry bag of rye to the mill'
replied Pet, sand that's heavier, ma'am."
flake this, and buy something for your
seli,' said the gentleman, holding out a
gold coin to Pet.
"No, thank you'll" answered Pet. al
shall not take anything"
] "Why not, my boy 2"