The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-07
Pat.

eyes, they're sending the poor things
from the city all over the country for a
mouthful of fresh air, and bite of some
thing wholesome to eat. We ought to do
our share, Aunt Nancy"
"Maybe 80, Ruth but it's resky, to my
mind"
"Risk of what, Aunt Nancy A couple
of children can't do much mischief on an
old farm in two weeks, if they do any"
"They'll do enough to be sure; but
that amt all. They do say there's no
tellin' what you may catch from that sort,
and that these people that goes among
'em just takes their lives in their hands.
They lives in dreadful holes-all dirt and
disease"
"Well," said Mrs. Pritchard. rather
Indignantly, Il think they must be about
the same kind of poor the Lord went
about among, only not so bad, perhaps,
as those he used to see. Seems to me he
never told his disciples to keep away for
fear Of catching things
"And then how do you know what evil
they may teach them two boys of yourn ?"
Mrs. Pritchard looked sober. "Well,
had thought of that, Aunt Nancy, but l
don't believe any children we were be.
friending would do them harm, and in
such little time as two weeks.'
"Well, well, Ruth, you're mistress here,
so it amt for me to dictate; but it's resky
that's all have to say"
Two boys came, perhaps twelve years
old as to form, but older as to face, with
gaunt limbs, and eyes astare with the won
ders of the journey, and of the strange
things all around them. In the eyes Of
one familiar with their class, they would
be recognized as having graduated in all
that goes to make up the poor little street
Arab. Newsboy, bootblack, wharf.rat, or
vagrant, they were fair specimens of the
outgrowth Of the great city's slums. Mrs.
Pritchard's heart warmed toward the neg.
lected boys, with an earnest desire that
stay under her roof might be fruitful
of lasting good to them.
Their ignorance of everything belong
ing to country life was wonderful. Jack
and Harry Pritchard followed their guests
about, doing the honors of the place, now
listening with an awe to Pats talk about
the shipping in New York harbor, as be
skipped like monkey to the top of the
tallest elm tree, to show how the sailors
went up the masts, now shouting with
laughter at their questions and remarks
concerning things on the farm.
"Do look at him !" said Aunt Nancy
pointing out of the window as Pat
dropped from the elm. "One would
think he was brought up in circus
This mornin' l heard noise on the
roof above my room, and the firs'
thing see that boy went a-past my win
dow hand over hand till he come to the
water-pipe, and then Almost without
touchin' it he slid down like cat. Hell
be teachin' our boys all sorts of tricks
Look there-now |"
Harry and Jack were being hoistet
upon a shed overlooking the poultry yarc
and stable. On the edge of this, will
four pairs of legs dangling in what to thu
ladies appeared most uncomfortable pc
sition, such an animated conversation
went on that Aunt Nancy stole neal
enough to hear, feeling sure some mis-
chief was brewing.
snow, thin" says Pat, otis mesel
can't kape in moind the names at all, a.
all. It's the Elegant little white beauty'o
be the calf p
Pshaw, Patl" said Jim, with wis,
air. That's a pig"
NlVeI SAID rat. tits the purity
darlin' wild the wool, Pm msnin'."
ooh" said jim. ayes; that's {
calf"
"No," said Harry, laughing till HI
nearly lost his balance, "that's a calf owe
there-the Calls colored-see ?"
Ozark it is. Thin it's another calf'l
be over in the corner there 2"
mo, that's a black sheep-the prett,
ones white sheep"
Arrah, thin" Pat shook his hea'
comically, it's brave little head yell
be havin' to kape 'em all straight. Blu
see he settled himself so az to get al
outlook in another direction, "d'ye moin,
the purity little hins down there, now 2"
80 Pat, those are ducklings see ZEN
swim in the little pond" Pat jumpe
down and ran toward them, forgettin