Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-06


To scratch WITH wade with, catch thngsthaps why
They hop with both feet. Little boy, good-by."
-Wide-Asats.
Written for the Vermont watchman.
A Story for Girls.
CONCLUDED PROM LAST wrKK.l
The next day when Nelly and Lulu were
through with school, they put their two little
wise heads together as to the best way to
begin their new work. Nelly was in earnest,
and had secretly prayed for help from on
high, but did not dare tell that, even to Lulu,
for Lulu herself had never thought of such
thing. The two girls had walked several
blocks, earnestly consulting, when they heard
the sobbing of child, and very near them
stood little boy leaning against post. He
cried as if his heart was quite broken. Nelly
instantly stepped up to him, the thought
running rapidly through her mind that God
was showing them the way. "What is the
matter, poor little boy ?" she said, stretch
ing out her hand her face full of tenderness.
"Now you jist git Quit" sobbed the young
ster, "or I'll kick you, will" Aud again
he screamed; and again Nelly said, "Why,
what is the matter with you, boy Tell us,
and perhaps we can help you" "Git out"
howled the victim, Tor III kick you'll" and
already the small leg was up to fulfill the
threat. So disheartening was this begin
ming that Nelly turned back, only to find
Lulu convulsed with laughter, in which she
joined, in spite of her chagrin, for now, at a
little distance, they saw the young rebel
sitting astride the lamp post, seeming quite
| independent of all human aid. The next
block of houses was poor aud miserable
enough in appearance to contain all that
might satisfy their hunger for doing good.
| They had often walked on this street before,
but they had never noticed it so closely. AS
they approached they even thought they
heard groans within. 81 shall go in here,
Lulu" said our brave little leader. Poor
Lulu followed, full of misgivings. The
means became louder, as they assembled the
stairs. Nelly tapped at the half-tumbed-
down door, but hearing no reply, she softly
opened the door, they stepped in, and shiv-
cred with horror as they beheld q filthy
woman lying on some straw, in the corner
Of dark and odorous room but brave with
the courage of a true missionary, the girl
went nearer to her and said, "Can do any
thing for you, poor woman2"
"Rum, rum" muttered the drunken crea-
.ure, with smothered oath, upon which the
terrified missionaries flew away faster than
would seem possible down those shaky stairs.
"Well, we'll, what shall we do ?" lex
olain,nd Luia, az quito discouraged, a.. d
guess it is as Belle says. there is no use to
help the poor, because they won't help them
Selves"
al don't believe it," cried Nelly vehe-
mently, with some sign of anger in her
voice, after such signal failures. 81 shall
not be discouraged, even if find nothing
to do for a week."
To scan that resolute face Just now, with
those strong words dropping from the lips
would be picture worth studying; it was
full of beauty, deepened by a strange power
utterly unrecognized by the passing throngs
but SO quickly known and welcomed by the
few hearts who have accepted the Christ
love. That girl could not be discouraged
A new and sweet strength shone from thost
grey eyes, and lighted up the once dull face
1t almost seemed as if God had again said
"Let there be light, and there was light
Was it through the mouth of that teacher
that God had spoken, and saved soul
Even discouraged little Lulu seemed hall
to catch the great spirit of her cousin, ant
to gather courage again, as they walked on
Two little ragged girls now approached and
! looked up wistfully to their faces. Surely
these little ones win not repel us, thought
the girls, and so spoke again This time
the answers were low and earnest aud hon
est. The children were cold, and hungry
and ragged. The two pioneers took them t.
the nearest baker, and now were repaid fol
their discontinue, with satisfaction at see
ing the hungry ones eat till they were filled
Now we will clothe them, they said to eact
other, as they followed the little ones t.
their home. Down into a damp, cold celia
they went, where the mother sat shiverinl
and mending old clothes. Hers was a fac'
pallid with sorrow and suffering. She Offered
them the only two chairs in the room, ant
seemed indeed glad to see them. Nelly tolC
her how sorry they were for the children
and asked if she would like them TO max
some clothes. Gratitude beamed out of he
almost beautiful eyes, as she thanked them
and told how she had once tried to cloth,
and send them TO school, but had quit
given it up, since her health had failed, ant
her husband had begun to drink. "Ol
( DEAR" exclaimed the girls with true sym
8 patty, show hard it is for you"
ayes" continued the thin, pale woman
"once had good home, and kind parent
who gave me an education but married
and all is changed My parents are dead
! my old home gone, and this is my new one.
y No wonder the girls cried too, as that prou
( head bowed itself, and great sobs filled tn
/ room.
"At first" she continued, after recovering
herself, "my husband was kind. lie kept
store, and being prosperous he enlarged hi
business, and our home was comfortable
but set of young men who lounged abou
, there tempted him and he fell Drink ha
changed his nature, and now he is ofte
quite cruel. | often hide those little chi
. dren when he is coming
Lulu's face palled with horror as she Ii
= |
. deciding what she would do. Her plan wa
this. The next day being Saturday, tn
b children should come to her house, wher
the two girls would fit and make clothes fC
them. OF course the mother gladly a
sented. So they went home, glad TO ha,
found some work, but filed with sorrow fC
that poor young woman. The next mornin
= before Nelly had finished her breakfas
4 Lulu appeared, bringing some clothes tn,
). she and Belle had outgrown. Her face WI
beaming with interest. She said her moth
N and Belle had laughed at her, and said 81
N would find out some day how foolish 81
" was to put faith in any old woman's story
=, but she did not care, 1t was pleasanter an
= way than to spend a dull day at home.
was dull rainy day in November. MI
Ross was quite put out by the children
performance, as she called It. But as Mel
was quite old enough TO decide for herse
she quietly told her mother that she had IN
y some people who made and thought Ii
worth living and she was going to try it.
"Well, 30 this is the effect of that Su
| 81 ID ba. 4,