Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-08-13
VOL. 74.-3SOO. NO. ~.

string, and the beads rolled down upon the
floor. There was general rush for the lost
treasure and Susan exclaimed in loud and
excited tones, Give them TO me. had
| forty Of them"
CLOSE the door" said the teacher, and
let no one go out"
rest 2"
There was no answer.
Whoever has those beads will give them
to me at once" said the teacher, +" or shall
search your pockets
None of us saw little wicked hand
stretched toward Jennie Burnet. No one
but God and Anna Melen knew that that
hand dropped ten gold beads into the pocket
OF The unthinking child. But when they
were found there, we needed not the poor
child's cries of innocence, but thought that
she added lie to the dreadful sin of theft.
Alter that we stunned her, and, contrary TO
the example of the blessed Saviour, we
taunted her with her supposed sin. Alone
she sat in our seasons of play, with her we'll
worn Testament before her, and look upon
her calm face which we did not in the least
understand. But at times deep anguish
was seen there, and she daily grew thinner
and paler.
Wv NOtu nlBHb tllt JtdCHbT was locking
the door. A little shivering form fingered
near.
"Please, teacher, l did not take those
beads" murmured voice too sad to belong
TO a child.
"Don't add lies to your other SINS" said
the teacher, who believed her guilty. Slowly
Jennie turned away.
"Oh, my God, you know / never took
those beads" moaned the child and with
the thought great wave of comfort rolled
over her heart. "When go home to my
mother all will be bright" She said.
Home for Jennie was heaven, for she had
no mother on earth, and her drunken father
was always a terror to her. A time was
coming when Anna Mellen was to be re-
minded of her sin. Slipping upon the
pond one day. the ice broke and she fell in.
No one dared venture to her aid-no one
hut Jennie Burnett The others fled panic
stricken for help. Jennie felt no fear, and
finally succeeded in getting Anna from her
perilous position. Both children were taken
home, and Jennie, hastily putting on dry
clothes, ran to Mr.. Melens to see il she
could do something for Anna, who was
greatly chilled. The chill had passed away,
and Anna was in high fever when Jennie
arrived. Teachers and scholars stood around
her bed
Don't come near me, Jennie Burnet,
don't" moaned she imploringly.
d" 1 thought, hoped" said Jennie, that
you would let me love you only very little
now, Anna
" can't bear it. Oh, can't bear it, ex-
claimed Anna.
"What ?" asked her mother
"Why, to think that she saved my life,
when put those beads in her pocket and
made everybody believe that she is a thief.
did it, Jennie Burnet, did it, teacher,
did it, girls, all, and Jennie has always been
good girl"
Yes, one of the Saviour's little ones walk
ing among us in white raiment, only our
'eyes were holden" that we should not know
her. Such thought flashed upon our
minds at that moment. Our teacher drew
the slight form to her heart and pressed her
again and again, and each one murmured at
once, a" love you, Jennie Burnett" And so
in that bare room of the alms-house, young
friends watched her slumbers, and We'd with
each other in kind attentions to the dying
one. And she felt that her earthly cup was
full, as she passed away to the enjoyment of
that heavenly love, which shall fully satisfy
the yearnings of our immortal spirits.