The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-12
Number Ten.

1t was a rainy, dull day, and there were
but few customers at Hunter & Halls dry
goods establishment.
"The cash.boy's holiday" said one OF
the boys "nothing selling today but
gossamers and umbrellas. If it wasn't
for rainy day coming, and making
break once in awhile, we'd be laid up"
"a good time to read that paper you
bought, Oscar Holiness" said another boy.
It's full of adventures hair-breadth es
capes and shootings."
"Take it out of your pocket, and let's
hear them," said a chorus of voices.
"Come on, Ten," said one of the boys.
"Move along here and make place for
Ten," he continued, pushing against the
crowd which had gathered in corner by
the bundle counter.
al don't care for such papers," said the
newly arrived cash-boy. "There's moth
ing true in 'em-nothing improving or in
structing. 1t was reading those kind of
papers that made Johnny Mcpherson run
away from home. He never would have
turned out so bad if it hadn't been for
that sort of reading"
the paper. "Let's pass round the hat"
Dub OllDcIl OuhWy Sdou-DOy NOs cuy
paid no attention to the taunts of his
companions, and sitting down by the
counter, quietly took paper out Of his
picket, and, after looking over its con-
tents, read slowly and aloud: GA gen.
tleman interested in art, offers prize of
IS for the best specimen of drawing made
by boy who has never had any instruc-
ton in the art, and who is not over fifteen
years of age. Competitors for the prize
must have the drawings in by the 1st of
April"
"You're the boy, Ten, to try for that
you'll get it, surel" exclaimed one of the
boys, whose attention had been drawn
away from the alluring pictures of the
first paper.
"He made good job of the doll dress
makers sign" said one of the crowd,
sneeringly.
"Did Ten paint that }" asked another
boy. "Tbat's piece of artistic genius,
must confess"
items solid with all the ladies'" said
Oscar Holmes. "Mss McCleary, up in
the suit department, dotes on him, and
always asks Where's Ten = and the
lady at the lace counter, she always gives
him her sweetest smiles; and Amy
Brown-Dolls' Dressmaker,' after the
painting of that wonderful sign, of course
she adores him."
"You ought to be ashamed of your
Selves" said the bundle-boy, as Gilbert
Shaw went off just then to answer call
for "Cash." "Amy Brown is poor lit
tie lame girl, and Ten has been the
means of setting her up in business. She
was very poor, and didn't have enough to
eat before that. Now she dresses the
dolls for the rich folks all about, and they
pay her well for it."
"Didnt know all that" said the largest
boy.
"Three cheers for Cash." said another,
and the repeated calls for "Cash just
then made the boys scatter in different
directions.
When Gilbert Shaw went home that
night he resolved to try for the prize. al
don't expect to get it, MOTHER" he said,
"but sha'n't lose anything by trying, and
can spend my evenings practicing."
After he had confided his plan to his
mother, he went over to tell Amy Brown.
She was very happy that evening, for she
had just received an order for ten dresses
for dolls reception.
go do hope you'll get the prize, Gil
BERT" she said. 81 believe you will. How
/ wish l could do something to help you, u
and the little girl read the announcement
in the paper over and over. colbert
Mr.. Graham would give you some help, ]
know. He is very kind man, and I'll
tell him III make all his little girls dolls
dresses for nothing if he will show you
how to make good drawing"
Int tho ~ ba xxysth mi
any instruction, you know, Amy, and il
wouldn't be honest or honorable to get any
one to help me-" said Gilbert.
How would the gentleman who offerl
the prize know whether the boys got helI
or not ?" the little girl asked.
elf / cheated, I'd know it myself
it; and if got the prize, ! should al
ways think that l got it by false pre-
fences. No, I'll do the square thing
Amy"
"You are right, Gilbert, and l an
wrong; but you have been so kind to m
that want so much to have you get it."
A few days before the 1st of Apr
Gilbert Shaw sent his drawing and hi
name as competitor for the offered priz
No one saw the drawing but his mothe
and Amy Brown, and they thought it a
excellent piece of artistic work but the
were partial judges, and the boy did nc
count much on their opinions.
Nothing wa. heard from the DRAWN
for some weeks, and Gilbert Shaw ha
given up hearing from it. 1t had probs
bly, been lost through the mail, his mothe
said, or there had been some mistsk
about the address. But one morning /
June the cashier at the desk sent for Gi
bert Shaw to come to headquarters.
wasn't payday, and one of the boys, VIII
heard what the messenger said, exclaime,
whats up2 Tens been called to tn
cashiers Office"
"Nothing wrong with Ten," said tn
bundle-boy. "He don't lie or steal. Pr
motion, probably"
"This gentleman wishes to speak
AL, A.