Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-12-19

Sadie and Frankie-he was sadie's brother
had risen beior. the stars were out of the
heavens aud were shouting and laughing as
they looked upon their presents; and mamma
and papa, too, joined them IN their happiness,
while Aunt Matilda, whose siumbers had been
disturbed bv the din and noise, lamented the
"extrayagaut expenditure OF hsrd-earued
money TOR foolish toys for foolish children
Take it away tax Il away she -hrieksd,
a. frankie blew loud blast on his trumpet,
my head h nearly bursting And clapping
her hands 10 her ears she He'd preCipuHt-ly
from the room. followed by the laughter Of Nj.
and Mrs Benson.
Toward midday Sadie stroed up on Eighth
street, wandering along looking nrst IN one
window and then IN another At one she
halted 10 admire some dolls. and while there
she took piece OF candy from her pocket and
was raising It To her mouth.
II like candy. squeakod a voice close be-
side her. Looking around, she discovered a
mite of humanity who had crept up unob-
served gazing up wlstiuliy into her face.
Then You shall have this. she quickly re-
piled, Offering him the candy, which he eagerly
seized. HIS clothes were medley Of patche-,
his shoes were out and a torn cap crowned his
taxen hair
"Nov. that's somebody poor boy, know, "
she argued u think III take hun home with
me. I'm sure mamma and papa will give him
something. I'll ASK him nt any rate
Little boy, she said. ed YOU want 30 20
home with me and get Christmas cake
"Oh YES. me do % exclaimed ths little fell
! low. ClAppiug his tiny cold hands while his
THU face Dtamed al over with smiles
sadie took him by the hand and retraced
her steps up the street
"Oh, just see there. girls There's Sadie
/ Benson leading little beggar ' remarked one
/ of Sadies acquaintance to her companion a.
they passed along on the opposite side Of the
street
"Weu never it is her indeed would
/ not be seen doing that on this street. an
swered the girl with proud scornfui cur Of
/ her lip.
Bu, sadie kept right on with her protege.
/ unconscious o. the disparaging comments Of
! her friends, and Indifferent 10 the vulgar gaze
! Of the gay crowd Of passersby.
At corner they encountereda policeman.
lost boy, eh Shall ! take charge Of him.
Miss 2 said the policeman, reaching out his
| big hand toward the boy.
ION, no, sir, answered Sadie, shrinking
| away, with the frightened little fellow cluging
20 her hand. Hes not lost; I'm going 10
take him 20 my home aud give him some
| candy
''Why bless nv soul 90 responded the police
man. a. he looked closely AZ the boy. That
Charley D-'s boy. An honester or harder
| working man D. not 70 b. found ~ all Phlla-
| delphia but hes been sick long time. and
am afraid he hasn't much 70 be joyful over
/ this wear
This ended the colloquy. and sadie and her
charge hurried on. IN the great stone steps
and into the wide hall. shouting Il We got
Llm I've got him, Sarah '
But before the astnui.hed housemaii could
reply sadie was IN the sittInE-room dragging
the b-wllIertd boy with nor, when she electro
ned her parents with
Give got him. mamma and papa I've got
him b"
"Got vho2 What is IT." they chorussd in
surprise.
"Why, don't you see this little boy ! found
him 81 Eighth street He asked me for
candy, SD / THOUGHT d bring HIM home. Po-
hceman knows him. says BIZ fathers q good
man. but j. sick aud d awful poor and"
"stop stop '' interrupted Mr.. Benson, with
q smile. Lets get al the right end o. the
story"
When sadie had quite recovered her natural
self she related the story over again. sarah
wa summoned and presently, with her hat
and shawl disappeared through the door.
Aunt Matilda started into the room, but
paused abruptly on the threshold as she discuy-
cred FRANKIE and the little stranger at play
well, jane Benson, she exclaimed depre-
] calnCly, IF you are going to allow your nus
band and your daughter voUr elegant home %
maze refuge for street gamins your e going
20 introduce some dreadful dlsease. Now,
mark my word '
Matilda, answered Nj Benson paving M
heed to her ominOus prophecy. 'cAn YOU re-
call o. mind an incident which occurred IN voul
childhood days How, when for weeks YOU
anticipated the greatest VI pleasures the super
lutendeut oi the school by an oversight LETT
your name from the roll. and failed to share
with the rest
II can. most distinctly"
! do you also remember Matilda. how the
tears flowed, and how fundamentally full
your heart wss Of grIei at the d.sappuint-
ment Pr
81 That do, but where's the comparison IL
this case p and she tapped the carpet lmps-
tleutiy with her foot.
just here answered Mr. Benson ''thi.
! little fellow, Ike you, is all expectation. Sup
pose we we're 20 heartcssly turn him, without
some recognition of 0ur sympathy. INTO the
street Can you appreciate his feelings ="
Matilda did not reply, but nervousiy paced
up Aad down the room. ray Of sunshIn,
was about 90 pierce that callous old heart Sh
al length sat down, giving vent 20 long
drawn sigh
E Nov. Matilda spoke Nj Benson, ener.
geucally. Il intend % provide for that child
and want youT assistance, with significant
wink al his wife Il want you 70 buy hIn
pair OF shoes
. "Oh, wee do: thats dear, good auntv 90
exclaimed sadie throwing her arms affection
{ ateiy about Aunt Matilda neck; ''ses his pool
little cold toes peeplng out from the broker
leather, she pleaded.
. We'll. now, ] believe aunty viii. for YOU
: sake Sadie she slowly answered, brushing
something slyiy on her cheek.
The happy little fellow was dressed olt in
comfortable SUI; Of Frankie's, and the Nov
: shoes put on. Sarau made a favorable repOr
! on her return and was soon on her way back
leading the little boy and carrying a basket o
substantial food, shaken together presset
down and running over. aud late IN the after
noon well-dressed gentleman was observed
TO leave M. D. home with q light, elsst
step, but what he said or did no one eve
9 ! knew.
Sadie went TO bed that Christmas night viii
e a heart overlooking with happiness. God ha
d paid me tenfold with quiet conscience and
cheerful heart, thought Nj. Benson NOR
z than once during the evening, and Aunt Ma