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

A lovely spring morning predicted
charming day, and the boys in the Durham
street school unanimously agreed to spend
the afternoon-it fortunately being We'd
nesday-in witnessing baseball game in
the park. Fred Hawthorne was one of the
most interested and excited of the jolly an
Elephants, and he rushed homo to dinner in
high glee, hardly persuaded to wait for one
o'clock to come, which hour always promptly
brought his father.
"Apple-dumplings today Fred" said his
mother, thinking to curb his impotence by
suggesting his favorite pudding
40, don't care for dumplngs this noon !
Save mine for my supper, please. | want
to be first on the ground the boys are going
TO bet on the colors."
"Well, but surely you had no thought OF
joining in that part of the game, my son ?"
now seriously spoke Mrs. Hawthorne
Freds fine flushed as he hesitatingly re-
Piled " N-no, not to bet but | promised to
count one on the blue; only the Dig boys
are going to pay if they lose."
"What was your golden text last Sunday,
Fred 2" again the mothers voice anxiously
inquired.
"Avoid every appearance of evil" was
the prompt reply.
"Are you willing to count one with those
who do wrong my boy ? and can you tell
in what proportion you are less guilty than
those who put down the money or the
| difference between committing the sin and
| supporting and abetting it Z"
This time no answer came, and Mrs.
| Hawthorne continued al am willing you
| should see an honest game, honestly, dear
Fred but my heart would turn trembliugly
to the future should you count one among
wrongdoers. There is the dinner-bell and
father :" and without further words the two
went soberly into the diningroom.
| Fred's face wore most unusual and UNI
happy expression as he took his seat at the
table, but was not long TO be left with his
own thoughts
| Fred" said his sister Mollie, Z" do you
know of any boy about thirteen years old
who wants to help his sister in her garden
this beautiful afternoon 7"
| Boys all going up to see the first base.
ball match of the season, hear" interrupted
| MIR. Hawthorne, " so | am inclined TO think
Miss Mollie, your coming boy will not be
| likely to put in an appearance his afternoon
| "Well, if he only would" said Mollie, A"
know he would have my lasting gratitude
| for this is the only afternoon / can have the
help of Mrs. Jeiferson's good Tony, and with
the added assistance of my much wanted
boy we could do all | want TO in my garden
in one afternoon. Say, Fred, must | give
il up ?"--and Mollie turned most imploring
face toward her brother.
"For all me-" at last Fred blurted out
his twingeing conscience aud shame at hii
unkind reply dyeing cheeks and forehead /
scarlet.
Molle said no more, and the meal wa
finished more silently than was wont. Fred
was all unconscious that his sister had over
heard his talk with his mother, so as sool
as he had finished his dinner he asked to b,
excused, aud hurried out doors where h,
found, as he expected, number OF hi
mates awaiting him.
"Wbat makes you so grum Z" asked ON
of the boys "Guess the blues'll beat
And he was going TO count one with tn
betters Numbered with the transgressors
Somehow Fred Hawthorne was very uneasy
and as he slowly wended his way to tn
park he was thinking how he could best &c
away from fulfilling his promise. "Avoi,
every appearance of evil !" these words a
most escaped his lips.
"What are you mumbling :" aske
another companion.
al am going back to help Mollie an
Tony, boys" replied Fred quickly. I"