The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-01-12

W& 4AA OF Twelve 'taiss nnH "N'~'
8, all sorts oi odd chores on the rirer isrn
which sant mos, o. its prodaee down
ihe city 90 the bsrgos hieh one secs @
the Hudson nser. lraded by little steam
tugs, and hich are commonly called tos'
This boy. Tom Van wyck, was poor DO,
and worked hsrd be did not much car
for the beautiful hills which encompasses
the winding, cleaning river, but be ha
an adventurous and daring spirit, whlo
lust nov was working mp in the manner Q
yeast when il is pushing its way throug
the mass Of unbaked bread. All sorts 0
bubbles were botheuug his brain, ans
foremost was the wish to leave his countr.
home and go to the great city of which h
had heard so much, but about which b.
knew little, Aunt Maria, he was sure
would never say yes to his project oh'
looked upon the city rs great den o
thieves and she did not want Tom TO u
there but he was tired OF being fara
hand, and thought it would be tine tS
stand behind counter, to wear kid noyei
on Sunday, TO be able to buy good
broadcloth and shining boots-indeed
with one bound TO be merchant prince
whose grandeur should be the town talk.
He had not very clear ideas as to how al
this was ~ be attained, but he knew he
could work hasd; he had read how many d
poor boy had struggled up to fame, and
he meant to try. anyhow. Aud now, as
he sat on the fence whistling, he was con.
sidering plan Of action. There was no
use in being too tender-hearted he
| would have 10 leave Aunt Maria without
asking permission True, the little red
house by the hill was snug little home,
and his aunt toiled hard to make 1t SO;
but would he not come home to her with
silks and diamonds which should so out
shine her best alpaca that it would only do
for common use? Often down at the dock
he had talked with the men on the boats,
but he knew none Of them other than as
Jack and Bill His proposed plan was to
leave some night quietly, get on barge,
go to the city, and secure work; then write
home to Aunt Maria, and make his peace
with her. Perhaps il Aunt Maria had
known all these thoughts, she might have
been less harsh when Tom scolded about
farm work, and called 1T drudgery; but
she had scornful way of shifting at him
and his ideas, which made Tom more and
more reserved On this very day, when
the momentous project was ripening' she
had said he was lazy, that rolling stone
gathered no moss, that the boy was father
to the man, and that if all he could do
was to whistle and whittle, he had better
go over to Square Green's and help them
shuck their corn.
Shuck corn! In u weeks or months
time he'd show her what he could do.
1t was clear October night, calm and
beautiful, and Tom rose softly, tied his
best suit up in bundle with couple of
shirts, took of his shoes he had not un.
dressed slipped down stars, uniastened
the door, which. however, was ou'y latch.
ed, and crept out into the moonlight. He
paused to count the few silver pieces in
his little wellworn purse, took one long
look at the red house, and especially at
the window where little James yellow
head was oftenest to be seen-for Aunt
Maria was mother as we'll as aunt to these
two motherless children--and away he
went. II he had any qualms of conscience
they we're soon forgotten in the excitement
of the moment The walk was not long
one to the riverside, and he had made
right guess as to the time the night boat
would land, One by one sleepy head
appeared from the sheds as the boat near
cd the wharf; but despite the moonlight,
no one noticed him particularly as he slip.
ped steaIthily au board, and to his great
relief the truck was soon shipped, the
gang plank drawn up, and the steam boat
making its white furrow through the spark.
ling water. He was too wide-awake now
10 think Of sleeping, and after paying his
fare, sat down TO watch the progress of the
boat By-and.by the moon sank, and it
was dark; the chilly dawn soon came, and
thenlong rows Of sparkling lights appeas-
ID; the tall spires Of the town; the masts OF
The shipping; the fitting ferry. boats, each
with its green or scarlet blaze of lanterns,
rows of house-tops; docks; waves flag
stats; sheds. This then was the great
city of his hopes.
Now there was stirring and calling;a
rush OF men to the work OF unloading;
heiying OF ropes, winding OF cables
shouts, curses, the rafting Of carts, the
roar OF escaping steam, the scream OF
and the foul smell of garbage
md bllge-water. He watched the men at
heir work, he saw the passengers come
'ut with sleepy eyes and sodden faces,
md take their departure He too must
so-ouh it Dli per
n mae. Where should he goS What
should lie do in all this crowd OF strange
acesl He was hungry, and stopped at an
Ipple stand, where woman in huge cap
md plaid shawl sold him an apple and a
nolasses cake. He asked her il she knew
where be could get work. Y
Il.
Shure an don't II is hard enough J
o find it for my boy jim, lettin' alone 8
trangers. {
He went up TO man pitching boxes on i
cart, aud asked him the same question.
BE of, now none Of your nonsense with |
ne, was the reply. 1
To adozen he spoke. and with little va. /
'ie,y in the replies. |
This was somewhat dishearieniug, but q