The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-04

will do for him now" muttered the crab
bed leaf.
Nearer and nearer came the terrible
scythes laying their beautiful comrades
low, sweeter in death than in life. The
point of one of them cleaned at their
very feet when the stslwart young mower
paused, wiped the sweat from his brow,
and, taking the whetstone from his
pocket began to sharpen his scythe-a
shocking sound to the clover, who had
never heard anything more discordant
than the cawing of the crows, as they sat
on the fence and gossiped of the scare
crow in the neighboring field.
As he put the milestone in his pocket,
he glanced down and saw the four-leaf
clover standing lusty and tall among his
family, and he laughed, showing his
handsome white teeth.
"That's good LUCK" he said. "I'll
take it to Katy and he reached his
brown hand to pluck the leaf. Then he
paused irresolute, rejecting that it would
be withered before noon.
"I'll NOW around the tuft and leave it,"
he said. "I shall know where 1t is by
the stump"
He thrust the scythe into the clover
with an easy swing and cut dexterously
around the tuft protected by Good Luck
and the Sign of the Cross, and passed
on down the field. Back and forth he
came and went, casting an eye toward
the stump in passing; and presently 1t
was noon. A long, unmusical note
Hoated across the meadow, the sound of
the dinner-horn from the farmhouse.
The young man wiped his scythe on some
tha aud
and plucked the four-leaf clover. lie
leaped over the fence and fastened down
the road.
"Good-bye," cried Good Luck to his
brothers and sisters. "Im going to
| travel"
"Good byel good byel" they called after
him, adding, in derision, eve always
thought you would come to honor. Don't
forget to share your good luck with us if
you ever have anyl"
They forgot to thank him for the pro-
lection his presence had afforded them,
and were rather glad to be rid of one who
differed from them with the difference of
superiority. They laughed and nodded
at each other, and were very gay; with
their stems securely fastened to the earth
which nourished them, and safe them
selves, they gave little heed to the fate
of their comrades, lying slain all about
them.
But after the field was mown, cattle
were turned into it for pasture, and among
them was an old donkey. Disdaining the
young and tender leaves which soon cov-
cred the field with soft, green carpet,
the donkey looked about for something
tough and strong, and spying the tuft of
clover, he devoured it greedily in lieu Of
thistles and weeds. That was the last of
the brothers and sisters of Good Luck
they were all together in the leather
stomach of donkey.
A few rods from the field was a small
brown house, and the young man fastened
toward it. 1t was very little house, with
Just door and one window in front, both
of which were wide open. A great black
dog lay on the steps indulging in short
maps, broken by the buzzing of an intru.
sive fly, who was too wary to be caught
by the huge jaws which occasionally made
sleepy snap at him. There was gar
den before the house, filled with flowers
and shrubs, and through it the young
man passed, with quick steps, to the open
window.
He held up the clover leaf and said:
"Look here, Katy. I've brought you
some good luck"
1t was still, and shady, and clean in the
room. Near the window was cot.bed
snowy white, and on it pale girl was
lying, quite still. Although it was 8
warm summer day, she was wrapped in 8
scarlet wooden shawl, and white blanket
lay over her feet. A full-blown, crimson
rose was in glass on stand by the bed.
"Come in, Reuben" she answered, smil
ing. "You always bring good luck"
al can't stop. Pm going to dinner.
thought you might like TO paint four
leaf clover and here's a jolly big one."
He leaned in at the window and gave
her the clover leaf. She looked at it
moment, and then put it into the glass
with the rose.
at is very perfect, and beautifully
Marked" she said.
The rose looked CONTEMPORARY at thu
stranger, and said, insolently:
"Please keep to your own side of thu
glass, sir.
He made no reply; but edged away al
far as he could; and Reuben, who saw
the motion, thought the breeze blew
through the room.
care you alone, Katy Isn't there toe
J much wind for you ?" he asked anxiously
ooh no, Pm comfortable. Mother
has gone to town to get me some new
colors; so there's no one here but Bel
and me. There's to be a rich babyI
party, and the papa, Mr.. Wood, has Offered
; $50 prize for design for card to b.
given to each baby guest as a mementt
of the occasion. Pm going to try for it,
"Youll be sure to get it," said Reuben
J as he turned away from the window
"Take good care of Katy, Bep," he sale
to the dog as he passed him. Beppo re
sponded by humping the floor with hi
big tail and winking a sleepy assuranc,
of his honest intentions. Katy's fsthe
was dead, and she and her mother LIVED
, alone in the little old house. They wer,
, very poor, and Katy was forced to lie OF
the bed all day. When she was it'll,
, girl, she fell off from load of hay in thu
, very field where the four-leaf clover grew
, and her spine was injured; so that sh'
could never walk again. Her mother
took in sewing or washing, or anything
; she could get to do, and Katy used Il
knit and chrochet before she learned t.
l design and color cards; so they kept tn
wolf from the door.
: Reuben was neighbor, the son of