Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-04-02
A Passing Cloud.
BY MARY C. BARTLETT,

Well, yes, I can't say but do get sick
OF the sight of Vienna creams and plain
rolls once in a while, and us for cake,
don't think I've tasted bit for these two
years; but, standing behind the counter
week in and week out, as | do, one sees q
great deal of human nature. Being upon
the corner of the two streets, the shop is
very handy for the boys | like BOYS:
always did. It's never any trouble to me
to have them around. One cold, stormy
morning in November-it makes me laugh
now to think of it, but didn't feel like
laughing then-a whole prty of them
were standing around the store, and we
were talking in quite Il sociable way,when
In walked Mr.. Sampson. They all start
ed, and were rushing out as if they'd been
caught at the money dawer, but stopped
them. Boys, said |, What's your hurry?
They turned, and came back, looking
sheepish enough. Mr.. Sampson chatted
with them awhile, then he went off into
the bake house. AS soon rs he was gone
the boys turned to me. We didn't know
as he'd like to see any of us here, said Sam
Eldridge, the minister's son. Don't YOU
ever trouble yourselves about that, said
What he doesn't allow when he's here will
never be allowed by me when he ism t.
When he does not want you You may be
pretty sure shall let you know. He gave
me look with those keen eyes of his, land
his face flushed up like Il girls. beg
your pardon, said he You're u gentle,
man, said |, and it's granted. But let me
give you all piece of advice. Never 90
IN where you'll have to sneak ont. They
laughed, and we shook hands all around,
with good many fine speeches. bnt we
were better friends than ever after that.
Well, Sam Eldridge, he was in and out
every day nearly. He was such bright,
wide-awake little fellow that the sight of
his face did me good. He liked to hear
about my old home, too, and the salmon
fishing, and the logging, land all that's we
got along famousy together. 1t happened
just about this time that Jerry Lake, one of
our drivers, was taken, and we were look
ing around for somebody to take the early
route. 'Twasn't very desirable place, for
they started out before light, but for all
that we had number of applications.
Mr.. Sampson and I Were talking the
matter over one day when Sam had drop
ped in to warm his hands.
Why couldn't you take me? said he.
You! answered Mr.. Sampson with n
laugh.
But when we were alone, found to my
surprise, that Sam was in dead earnest.
Pm used to driving, said he,and if | WASH t
that old bread-and- cake horse could drive
himself. can do it. knoeO / can.
1t isn't only the driving, said |. It's the
| hrnnn hnrn hn npi., Al,
rolls in another place. Pies and dough-
nuts thrown in.
Just as if | couldn't Mro,0 in pies and
doughnuts Try me, and see.
But there are the orders to be taken.
Well, | can write.
1t would interfere with your studies.
! Your father and mother would never con-
sent.
| don't study before breakfast, at this
time of the year, and father and mother
are going away next week, Aunt Aman-
da is very sick, and wants to see them.
They will stay fortnight, sure-perhaps
longer. | shouldn't have to ask them.
You'll never get a place here without
asking them, said |, but what in the world
you want to get up at four O'Clock. and
drive around in the cold for, is more than
| can make-out.
Why, said he, I thought | told you.
want some Christmas money Fathers
terribly scrimped this year. He can't be-
gin to give me what | want.
Well, the long and short of it was that
he pleaded so hard that Mr.. Sampson told
him if his parents gave him leave he
might come. Now Sam didn't want his
mother to know of his earning money.
led set his heart upon giving her one of
those long-harod black mufls ut Christmas
and he wanted it to be complete surprise.
So, the night before they went away he
told her he had plan in his head, and
asked her if she wouldn't give her consent
without knowing what it was. He had al
ways been trustworthy boy, so she felt
that she could depend upon him, and as he
gave his word that there wasn't a bit of
mischief in it, she and his father both said
yes. and he came over rs proud us pea
cock, to tell lis about it.
| 1t must have been lonesome enough for
the poor fellow. with his folks all away.
His little sister Mamie went, too, and he
was left all alone. He took his meals ut
Deacon Roker's, just opposite, and slept ut
home. / saw more of him than ever now,
for hG used 10 run in often Of IN evening