Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-30
A Pound OF Meat.
j A. TIRRELL.

Heres some for TO- morrows dinner
little one"
That WAS what Temple Stanley
father had when he placed in her hand a
crisp bank note.
"And here's something for yourself
beside"
A bright new quartar was laid beside
the bill.
How glad and grand the little house
keeper felt! Not long before, Sunday s
dinner had been only the remains of Satur-
days crust; but now her father had joined
the blue ribbon men, and Drunken Tom II
had changed to Mr.. Thomas Stanley.
So, with a joyous heart, Temple ran for
the market basket, and donned her outer
garments What cared she for the rain
Market was only around the corner, and
she liked to show her skill in selecting a
nice piece of steak. Then there would oe
potatoes. and bread, and coffee, and sugar
one, two three, four; she counted the
articles on her fingers. Yes, she was
sure it would not take quite all Of the
money. The rest should 60 with the pen
nies and five cent pieces that she was
saving towards the new overcoat with
which she meant to surprise father before
long.
Humming q little song. she trpped
along till sunddenly she ran bump against
some one just turning the corner. The
"some one" proved to be Mrs. Nolan, and
from the pitcher that she carried and the
direction in which she was going, Tenn lie
guessed that her Sunday supplies did not
consist of beef and bread.
Indeed, the child had known Mrs.
Nolans's drinking habits for some ii /, O
There had been days and days when poor
Martha Nolan and herself had been out
together to steal, or beg, or find what
ever they might to eat; and now rs Mrs.
Nolan started back with an angry eAclam-
alton, Temple thought of Martha.
"Oh! why don t you sign The pledge, rs
nv papa ddp" she cried. You don t
know how much happier you'd all be-
Mrs. Nolan looked as if she would like
to strike the girl.
"Saucy critter," she muttered, and
went on her way.
But Temple could not forget Martha.
After she had purchased the steak and
groceries she turned 10 the fruit counter.
She had intended to invest her quarter in
special treat. How tempting they look
ed, those ruddy apples and golden oranges !
And the great clusters of bananas and
piles of nuts were all saying, as plainly as
they could speak, buy me. buy me"
She went resolutely back to the butcher.
Size had once known what hunger was,
and Martha must be hungry.
"Another pound Of that steak, If you
please,' and down on the counter went
her bright, new quarter.
"Have pretty good appetites at your
house. guess" said the man, weighing
the meat.
Temples face wore a happy little smile
as she went out again into the rain. A
few doors further lived Martha, and Tenn
pie was more than repaid for her extra
walk and self denial, in witnessing her
friends gratitude for the gift. Her own
dinner the next day tasted all the better,
knowing that Martha for once had some-
thing to eat.
When Temple went to market again,
what was her surprise to meet Mrs. Nolan
not going to the saloon this time, but in
the market itself, and trading with the
butcher! She moved away little when
she saw Temple. and then came nearer,
as if she would like to speak.
THAT bit O. meat you gave my gal was
so good, I thought would try some,"
she said. Then after pause. II guess
you was right, too. about the pledge; any.
way, I'm tryin' it,"
And Temple felt that her self denial was
bearing fruit greater than she had dream