Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-05
The New Years Errand.


-
The New Years Errand.
"What are those children doing 2" asked
the clergyman Of bis wife few days aftel
Christmas.
al really cannot tell you, James," wa,
the reply, as his wife peered anxiously owe
his shoulder and out Of the window. "Al
that know about 1t is this was busy IL
the pantry, when Rob put his head in, ant
asked If he could have the Christmas tree
as nearly everything had been taken off Of
it; so l said Yes and there he goes with
it. sure enough. l do hope the wax from
the candles has not spotted the parlol
carpet"
"Dont be anxious, wife, Christmas
comes but once year, and when it comes
should bring good cheer"
EYES," said the careful housewife, al
suppose do worry. But there it is snow.
ing again, and Bertha perched up on that
tree on Rob's sled, and she is so subject To
Group p
"The more she is out in the pure air, the
less likely she is to take cold but where
are they going ?"
al really do not know, James. Did you
ever see dog more devoted to any one than
Jip is to Rob? There he goes, dancing be.
side him now; and see Rob has tied on
the scarf Bertha knit for him that is done
to please her. She did work 30 hard TO get
it finished in time before he came home for
the holidays"
"She is very like her own dear little
mother in kindness and care for Others y
was the reply.
The mother gave bright smile and a
kiss for the compliment, but a little wall
from the nursery hurried her out of the
room.
Christmas at the parsonage had been de-
lightful, for first of all, Rob's return from
boarding-school was pleasurable event
he always came home in such good spirits,
was so full of his jokes and nonsense, and
had SO many funny things to tell about the
boys. Then there was the dressing of the
church with evergreens, and the decoration
of the parlor with wreaths of holly or run
ming pine, and the spicy smell of the deli
cacies which were in preparation, for Sally
was famous cook, and would brook no in
reference when mince pies and plum-pud-
ding were to be concocted.
But the children thought the arrival of a
certain box, which was always dispatched
from town, the very best of all the Christ
mas delights. This box came from their
rich aunts and uncles, who seemed to think
that the little parsonage must be dreary
place in winter, and so, to make up to its in
mates for losing all the brightness of city
winter, they sent everything they could think
of in the way of beautiful pictures, gorgeous
books, games, sugar-plums, and enough gilt
tering things for two or three trees Of
course the clergyman always laid aside some
of these things for other occasions, lest the
children should be surfeited.
And so Christmas had passed happily, as
usual. The school children had sung their
carols and enjoyed their feast, the poor had
been carefully looked after and made COM
Portable, and there had come the usual lull
after a season of excitement. 1t was now
the day before the first of the new wear. and
the parson was writing a sermon. He was
telling people what good time it was to try
and turn over new leaf to be nobler, truer,
Drawer than they had ever been before to
let the old year carry away with it all sell
fishness, ali anger, envy and unloving
thoughts; and as he wrote, he looked out Of
the window at the falling snow, and won
dered where Bertha and Rob could have
Dinner-time came. Aunt Ellen, mamma.
mere
are those children ?~ repeated mamma.
al do not think YOU need be worried,
Kate" said Aunt Ellen. "Rob is so thought
full. he will take good care of Bertha. They
have nerhaps STONED in at a neighbor's
and been e coaxed t To- stay" CIV .
"Very likely," said the parsop. And
then the baby came in. growing and chuck.
inc. and CLAIMING his privileees sucb az
and mamma had ENOUGH to do 10 keen the
merry fellow in order, or his fat little hands
would have grasped all the silver, and pulled
over the glasses.
After dinner while the parson let the
baby twist his whiskers or creep about his
knees, mamma played some lovely German
music, and Aunt Ellen crocheted. The
short afternoon grew dusky. Baby went off
to the nursery the psrson had finished his
task, and was going out for walk, but
mamma looked SO anxious that he said;
al will 90 look for the children, Kate"
"Really, | think you will have to give
Rob little scolding, my dear. He should
have told US where he was going"
eyes, / suppose So" said the parson
when Just then there was a gleefui cry-a
merry chorus made up of Rob's, Bertha's,
and Jip's voices, and there they were, Bertha
on the sled, and Rob was her horse.
"Where have you been, my son 2" said
the parson, trying to be severe. "You
should not have gone off in this manner for
the whole day without asking permission"
"Rob's bright smile faded little; but
Bertha said, quickly, "Please, papa, don't
scold Rob- If you only knew -
Hush, Berthal" said Rob; and red as
his cheeks were, they grew redder.
al am sorry you are offended, sir. l did
not mean to be SO long. We were detained. y
"What detained you?'
"And where did you get your dinner p
asked mamma.
"Oh, we had plenty to eat"
"But you don't intend us to know where
Won got It ?"
NO, sir" said Rob, frankly.
"Now. papa. Won shall not scold Rob-
said Bertha. putting her hand in his. " Come
into your study, Go away Rob; 90 give
lin his sumner. Come. mammal" and
Bertha DRAGGED them both in to the fire,
where, with sparkling ewes and cheeks like
carnation, she began to talk "Mamma,
YOU remember that scrimmage Rob got into
with the village bows last Fourth of July,
and how hatefully thew knocked him down,
and how bruised his eve was for long
time?"
ayes. | remember, and always blamed
Rob. He should never have had ANYTHING
to do with those rowdies,"
AZ didn't blame him; never blame Rob
for ANYTHING. except when he won't do what
~