The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-28

He has got my knife" Tom ex-
planned, beginning to grow confused and
a trifle scared, but still clinging to Seth.
"No haven't got your knife, nor any
bodysl" Seth declared, trying to break
away. al never laid eyes on you before"
"For shame Give the little girl her
knife | " said somebody in the crowd.
Eyes, give her her knife" exclaimed
together two or three sympathetic OBJ
servers.
"Here What's all this rumpus ?" the
policeman asked, pushing his way toward
Tom and Seth. "Come now; move on,
all of you'll |"
Tom had let 60 of Seth the instant he
heard himself called little girl; and he
now skunk away in hurry. He had
been 30 excited that he had been quite I'M
mindful of the clothes he had on, and it
surprised him good deal to be spoken of
as little girl. He could feel the blood
tingling to the very roots of his hair,
while he fastened back to the store and
imagined that every one who looked at
him saw that he was in disguise.
But how could he get back to the store
window without being discovered by the
manager This perplexity was what
soon began to trouble him more than
anything else. He tried to pluck up
courage to walk in boldly and take up
his place again but he hesitated fool
ishly. He crossed the street and spent
several moments watching the store door
in hopes that he might see chance to
rush over and re-instate himself. I'm
luckily, however, the manager or one of
his assistants continued in plain sight all
the time.
After waiting and watching long
while Tom began to grow tired and
hungry. 1t was noon; and he wanted
the luncheon he had put away in closet
in the store. He was beginning to regret
that he had ever undertaken to be
dummy and to wish that he had not kept
the affair at home quite so much of
secret. He had told his mother that he
was earning a bicycle by working in
Ketchum Brothers store, which was only
a short distance from his house but he
took care not to tell her that he was q
dummy. To 60 home in girls clothes,
therefore, was quite out of the question.
He was, in fact, in tight fix; and the
only place he could think of where he
could 60 was large park at the head of
the avenue. By the time he got to it he
was "pretty well used up" to quote his
own words.
ooh, there's girl over there by the
tree - somebody shouted Just as he sat
down, evidently meaning him.
"Ask her if she wont play" cried
another.
Tom turned round and saw two girls
running across the playground toward
him. Three Others were waiting in the
distance.
"Wont you play croquet with us p"
asked one of the girls as soon as she
reached him. "We want another to
make up the couples. We'd like to have
you play ever so much"
Tom blushed, and his first impulse was
to say," ALI right; I'll take hand if you
like; but he checked himself. 1t
wouldn't do for girl to talk like that.
So he said in low voice: "Thank you.
Yes, will play"
"That's ever so kind" said the one who
had invited him. "My name is Nellie
Andrews; and my friends is Aunie
Hyde. What is your name, please, so
can introduce you 10 the other girls ?"
"It's homely name, and I'd rather
not tell it," Tom answered modestly
Yon can call me Bella Williams, though
if you like"
Nellie and Annie looked at each Other
slyly, and led Tom over to the other girls
"Shell play" said Nellie, hurriedly
Her names Bella Williams"
In his confusion Tom did not hear the
name of these girls. All his wits were
employed wondering what would harper
If any of them should discover that he
was not girl.
He played with them all the afternoon
however, without being found out, and hi
was sorry when the sun began to set and
they went home; for he again fell prey
to harassing thoughts and was left alone
with his hunger. Then it grew dark anG
he walked slowly towards home, deciding
/ as he went along that he would ventur,
/ into his aunts house, which was across
the street from his own home, and there
, reveal his predicament. But after he ar
. rived in front of the house he walked
> back and forth several minutes; anC
while he stood hesitating, lady passed
> who, he saw, was his aunt. She looked
. at him curiously over his shoulder, ther
turned and came back.
els there anything the matter, littl,
r grill p she asked. "Have you lost you
3 way, or are you waiting for some one 2"
1t was tremendous moment for him
and his thoughts spun like whirligig
3 He felt 90 ridiculous that he was ASHAMED
!, to tell her at once the fix he was in ant
he knew that if he spoke she would know
3 his voice. So on the spur of the momen
!, he made deaf and dumb signs.
/ "Poor little thing" said his aunt, TAX
ing him by the hand and walking to he
door.
q When they were inside the house sh
a led him through the dm.lit hall and down
Q stairs to the kitchen.
"Heres little deaf and dumb girl