Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-01-26


the clerk, but not too low for Johnny.
Il don't want you, don't like you"
he cried. almost in terror, as he look
ed at the hard. set face.
"You're notional." said mum
ber "Thirty-two," grimly. "I'd take
little of that out of you, if had
you.''
The clerk gave her keen glance.
He was asking himself whether she
did not properly belong in the corner
with the cruel mothers.
1t was hard for Johnny to make a
selection, but he did at last. He
chose .NumbeI forty-three," Il short,
delicate little woman, whose princi-
pal recommendation was that her face
was totally unlike that of the last
speaker.
He was very sure that she was II
good mother. but-alas that must
write it;-he took her back the next
day. Somehow she was too good.
On the way home. she made him take
her hand, and would not let him go
until he was inside his own door At
the table, she insisted on cutting his
meat and portioned it ont, making
him take a bite of bread at regular
intervals. The cake she locked up,
not wishing him to grow miserable
dyspeptic. which made Johnny think
dismally of his coming birthday.
Unlike Number Nineteen" she
was not willing TO trust him out of
her sight. She told him over and
over again that bad boys always made
wicked men. She hoped he had new
ei told a lie; for untluthfulness led
| straight 10 stealing, and stealing to
the state prison. These remarks
/ tending rather to darken the sunshine
of .Johnny's hoyish nature, she hoped
he wasn't of a sullrn disposition !:
and when. unable to contain himself
longer, he burst into torrent Of
tears. she begged him TO control him.
self, lest he should grow up a weak
minded sort of person, whom no.
body conlG respect.
When Johnny made his appearance
again at the large loom in the Square
with "Numl,er Forty-tm ee," his eyes
! were quite red and his heart was full.
Oh, if the little girl would only bring
his own dear mother back But shr
wouldn't, he knew she wouldn't. How
could any little giil help loving sucl
mother as his? Oh, why hadn't h,
known how good she was before h,
let her gni but never thouah
there could be So many different kind.
of mothers" said johnny TO himself
wiping away a tear.
The clerk shrugged his shoulder
when he saw them coming in. ''Wha
!, ails this one p
ssShe's too-too-"
, TOO what? Doesn't she want t,
, be bothered!"
"She bothers me. Johnny Wa
, quite unconscious of being funny
, "Shr's too-too-old'
That m.~il't The tight word at all
but he could think of no other
, Zone YOU bothered. and the othe
bothered YOU" said the clclk. dryly
t ''Pm afraid | hayn't a mother i
the lot that will give perfect s,ti-fac
ton, unless he added. giving John
ny queer look. unless 1t is TIA
second one ON the right there 'Nnnl
!; Der Twenty nine Surprising v"
! Try her. Why, what's the matter !:
; For somehow. Johnny though
I of his coming birthday. and the huin,
sick feeling came over Him So >'r,.ne
V ly that he laid his poor heal ul,o., tn
counter and sobbed like forlorn lii
, tie boy. rs lac WAS.
I What's the matler?" asked Il,
r clerk again.
| "l-tlon't-want-any more mott
0 ers, stamnered Johnny.
0 "Oh, you haven't tried them all >
y ry-aren't-iiice. sobbed ll
child.
TRY Number Twenty-nine.
can recommend her,
Johnny raised his swollen eyes
and glanced ai The second one on til
right. He saw Il tall, slender W,
!, man, with Il gray veil which covere
her face as well as her bonnet. Ii
: gave little start, and then ranf fol
ward, hoping, fearing, dreading, Il
at once. As he reached her, sl
raised the gray veil and, with a CT
q of joy, he sprang into her arms.
. 20 mamma !" He couldn't say an
more just then. but no more WORD
), were needed. 1t was such perse,
:, bliss to feel the shelter of those ln,
ing arms and TO rest hi, tired hca
upon her shoulder.
Well" said the clerk. coming al
chow do yon like Number Twcnt,
nine!' Will she do!'
Yes" answered Johnny, with
happy smile. shell do very we'll"
% Il don't care O mamma" h
whispered in her ear, .'there's a bi
: hole
e But the clerk interrupted. 'sThin
! we'll before you take her hack. Motl
ers taken back must be taken bac
IL for good" :"
!; Il want her for good" said Johr
t ny. .sShe is good"
So the "big hole" in the new stocl
t ing was mended. The birthday cak