Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-01

"Where have you been SO early, Jack"
asked his father.
"Why, thought ] would be ahead Of
you for once, father" answered Jack "and
! have been out since daylight engaging the
beef" How IL would have panied Donald
and Patsy to hear their dear Clover called
Z" the beef"
"Well, that's something like business"
replied the butcher, with pleased express
sion. "And how have you succeeded "
Splendidlyl answered Jack, with I'M
usual enthusiasm. al have engaged every
part, hide and all, except one fore-quarter,
which thought we would want ourselves"
"That's right" replied his father. "You
have slept off your Observation-Disclosures, |
see."
"But have not yet told you just how 1t
is engaged" continued Jack, with queer
twinkle in his eye AN our customers
want their parts alive"
"What n exclaimed the butcher. "Have
you lost your senses, or what are you talking
about2"
Jack could not restrain merry laugh any
longer.
"I'll tell you all about it, father" said he.
"I.really could scarcely sleep last night
Just for thinking of those poor children, and
Farmer Bruce and his wife, with all their
i'll luck and it Just seemed to pop into my
mind TO go TO all our best customers and see,
il together, they would not buy the COW
back for them. So have been out since
daylight, and almost every one l went to did
as | asked, from the good parson down, and
| have their names here in our custom book,
Just as though we were going to deliver the
meat as usual. You aren't angry, are you,
| father 2"
The butcher had been looking so grave
while Jack told his story that the boy feared
somewhat he might have been wrong in
acting thus, without the consent Of any one,
but quickly came the reassuring answer
"Not bit, my boy And am glad you
kept part for us. You may not make a
good butcher, Jack, but was thinking that
you might make something deal better.
Eat your breakfast and we will finish up
the matter afterward."
Donald and Patsy were sitting, with faces
still sad and thoughtful, before their door
that next morning, thinking Of what had
happened the evening before, when both
sprang up at once, looking eagerly towards
the road.
"Wasn't that Clover's voce2" cried
Donald. 40 Patsy, perhaps she has got
away from them, and has run back to ask
us to save her |" And Just as he spoke, there
sure enough at the gate appeared Clover,
lowing in the mellow voice they knew SC
well, and looking over into the yard with a
glad look of recognition in her big soft eyes
In moment the little boy and girl were
by her side, calling her all the pet names
with shouts of welcome; and there from
her neck hung large white card with words
written on it which they could not read
But their father and mother, too, had heard
the commotion, and now came Fastening to
the gate with sad hearts, for they feared
poor Clover had only found her way home
again to be sent away once more. But there
was the card, reading
"For Donald and Patsy, from their neigh
bors, who thought Clover too good to be
killed."
40 Donald, didn't tell you so |" cried Pat
sy, in an ecstacy of delight. Ono COW so good
as Clover would be allowed to be killed."
But Mr.. and Mrs. Bruce looked from one
another to the card, somewhat troubled to
know what it all meant. just at this mo-
ment Jack, with his merry face and kindly
smile, appeared from behind tree near by
"Let me explain all to you, Mr.. Bruce,
said he; and soon he had told, as delicately
as he could, of how sorry he had felt for the
two little ones, and how for their sakes he
had engaged the meat after his own novel
way that morning.
| There was tear of grateful appreciation
in the eyes of the honest farmer as he lis.
tened, and his voice was a little faltering as
he said:
al would not have thought there were SC
many kind people around me. Will you
please let me see your custom book, Jack p
And taking paper and pencil from his
pocket, he quickly copied the list of names
from the page extended to him by Jack. 81
can only accept it as a loan to be paid back
next year," said he; "but thank my good
neighbors for it Just the same, and you
more than all, my boy. You have saved us
many heartache to-day, and many want
this winter"
And Jack went away the happiest boy in
all that country, while Donald and Patsy
were still caressing their dear old Clover
and Mrs. Bruce hastened off for the milk pail