Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-05-07

SpOOnleS, anu serve us right, II THIS
thing goes on much longer. tell you
we've just got to hang together in some
move, and let the master have 1t when he
can't tell where it comes fom. Do you
say a9rred?"
Agreed" " went up in chorus. Give
us programme. that's ALL"
Well. Il ere's that old donkey of Dea
con Bay berryss; what if he should he
iound >trayed into the masters desk some
morning with the masters cap on hi
head, and one of those law books he's al
ways fooling with at inlermissiOn under
his nose! How would that DO, just for IA
feeler, you knowP'
A shout rose for an answer, and Hal
went on. Shake hands, them A pull
all together. you know. and then nobmly
is 10 blamem and one by ono the boy
marched up and gave Hal II hand. "Now,
Gallowses! you're the last" but the wide
trousers stool motionless, and Galowscs
shook his close cropped head.
What! You're afraid Pshaw! Wen
tell Miss judy we did it,"
"Nu. you needn't" said Gallowses, "but
I can't help You"
What, you little sneak" said Sam.
pouncing upon him and seizing him by
the collar. 4" YOU
" No, l won't peach. Sam Hebherton,
nor do anything else that's mean. hope.
Let go Of my collar; you've no right TO do
it,"
Will you lend a hand, then?'
Gallowses' head shook again. Not on
the donkry-I can't"
Coward! coward! Gallowscs is n cow
ard!" rose up the shout. and Sam tighten.
ed his grip with II growl that meant mis-
chief. but sudden thought struck Hal.
Hold on" be said. Somebody's got
to open the school room door Tor us.
What's the harm if Galowses slips through
the ventilators and down on the inside.
and Just draws the bolt of that back doorp
There's no other boy small enough, and
what's that to do with the donkey or with
uS?'
"Will you do it?" asked Sam with Il
threatening pull; but Gallowses stood
firm.
:" I cunt tell you. 1t wouldn't be good
or brave, and can't"
&" 1t wouldn't, eh!" retorted Sam, furi-
ously. between his teeth; and it was II
dangerous moment for Miss Judy's boy.
But the bell rang again, and Sam had
found out that it wasn't best to be late in
his seat. IN settle you!" he mutlered,
with II scowl that glowed more and more
fiercely toward Ga'low>es' desk for the
rest of the afternoon. I'll thrash you
within sn inch of your li(e"
Why shouldn't hep Wasn't he three
times rs big as the coward Gallowees. and
hero of the school into the bargainP
Two weeks passed. and the urbbit of
the Elm Tree school still held steady and
strong, but outside winter had been
marching merrily on, till it swept sudden
ly down one Friday night and locked up
everything. Deacon Bayberrys mill pond
included, in prison walls of ice. And the
next day. Saturday, with blue skies, ar
like wine. and the ring Of the skates on
that pond started The deacon up to the
livelicst psalm tune he knew From Miss
Pophursl's kitchen window II pair of eager
brown eyes had watched every boy of the
school scurrying past, and the jingle of
skate irons was like the trumpet TO war;
horses ears; but what is war-horse with
out bride or spurs, and-GullOwses had
no skates. And what fun was there in
" lOON ODE MISE UiNllll St0W u
little nervous at last, watching the little
figure with elbows on the table, and II
shorn head in its hand, poring over Il les
son for next week.
Why don't you follow the rest of the
boys, wherever they areP The kitchen 5
no place for Il Saturday."
Miss Pophur>t turned the scale, and
once aslir the war-horse seemed to have
wings.
Halo! There's Gallowses! Come on |!
Let's see what we can do" was the cry on
the pond. Galowses felt his finger tips
tingle; the skate irons rang circ' es,
squares and pigeon wings. Deacon Bay.
berry was setting up another psalm tunr
down in the mill; and oh-why c0uldn |
lie 20 on with The rest!
At last sudden curve brought small
skater, glowing brealhless, close to the
bank where he stood.
Halo, Gallowses, why don't you come
on? Where are your skates?"
II haven't any" and then, could hep
should he? Yes, he must Couldn't you
lend me yours for five minutes or SOP"
Couldn't do il!' and with another
curve and shot, Bob Aylmer was out Of
sight.
Didn't you find the boys?' asked Miss
Pophurst, as the latch lifted slowly under
Galowses hand. " Skating on the pond.
ehp There been more than one boy
drowned there before lo-daym
Monday morning came again, but the
sport of Saturday seemed to have fallen
like sparks to tnder ON the heroic spirits
thirsting for II fray.
Now boys" said the squire's son,
it's time to settle II few things. Are We
Elm Tree boys going under or are we 60
ing skating this afternoon"
A shout of applause followed, and Hal
went on. The muster always sat absorbed
in law books through the intermission, the
keys could be turned on the outside in Il
flash, the heavy wooden shutters pushed
over the windows, and there would be an
afternoon for the ice, and one for the mas
ter TO learn lessons in the dark! Hand
pledging again, but there was once more
gnat to The lion the slack trousers stood
molionles1 agan Sans eyes bazel, but
Hal slowly unroled bundle and held
something glilterng and dangling before
Galowses' face. With great bound Gall
'"o"o ho"it Ie"Pcu up hi'' tne btoWn
eyes shone like stars. I" For mep' but
Hal drew the prize away. Hold on!
just give us your hand you won't meddle
with our lookup, tirsl!'
Miss Judy's boy started back. Was this
quick, sharp-shooting pain what people
call disappointment? He hadn't been used
to expecting things, and he had not known.
Don't. Hal! Don't show them 10 me !!
| can't promise! Y III know can't"
Look here, Gallowses, don't be fool !
Didn't Sam let you have enough the other
timep"
The Elm Tree school sat that morning
with flashes and mutterings like sup
pressed volcano, and Miss Pophurst sway
ed IN her chair with short, crispy little
creaks. She had been thinking over some
thing ever since Saturday afternoon, and
ut last she sprang suddenly up.
What difference does it make TO TomP
Perhaps he'll be glad" and once more
The attic boards creaked, and when Miss
judith took her seat again, she laid IL little
bundle softly by her side. The old clock
licked slowly on, but the lttch lifted ut
last, and Miss Judith raised the bundle