Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-01-16
CHANGING MOTHERS.

CHANGING MOTHERS.
II you had visited the town Of Change.
mere upon the thirty first day Of last Septem-
Der at Ave minutes past four O'Clock in the
afternoon, you might have seen a small boy
Of six years walking briskly down one OF the
principal streets, leading a tall, pleasant
looking lady by the hand. II was Johnny
Lamson, aud the lady was his mother. She
was not blind, as you might have supposed
but Johnny was taking her to the Grand
Square, where the street ran to meet several
others as imposing as itself, to exchange her
for another one.
For you must know that it has long been
the privilege of the little girls and boys Of
ChAngemere, upon the week which comes
between the thirtieth day of September and
the first of October, at the hour between
four and five in the afternoon, to exchange
their mothers il they desire for others more
TO their minds. And many diseffected little
ones have availed themselves Of the privilege,
oftentimes, it must be confessed to their own
discontinue.
Upon the week in question, the large room
in the Square is usually quite full of unfort-
unate mothers Of all kinds. Weak minded,
indulgent mothers, firm, decided mothers,
Indifferent mothers and now and then q
downright cruel mother, whom the clerk will
not allow any little boy or girl to take, if he
can help it.
Johnny's mother had pleasant face, as
have said but its expression was saddened
now by the thought that her little boy really
wished to change her for another. Sad as
she was, however, she walked quietly along
beside him, and did not once attempt to pull
her hand away. Just as they reached the
Grand Square, she bent down and said In Q
low tone,
Your best stockings are in the right-hand
corner OF the second drawer, Johnny"
"Yes'm," answered Johnny. His con-
science gave a little twinge for the new
stockings had not been a necessity, but had
been bought for his especial qualification.
And the candles for your birthday cake
are upon the store-closet shelf"
"Yes'm." Johnny wondered if he should
have any birthday cake, but ne kept his
wonderings to himself.
Arrived at the large room, the clerk hand
ed the lady ticket With number printed
upon il and she took her seat with some
others upon long settee which stood against
the wall She was not allowed to remain
there long, however, tut was speedily taken
in hand by chubby y-faced girl, little older
than Johnny, whose own mother had not
given satisfaction in the matter Of bangs and
gaiter boots.
This. was something that the little boy had
not expected. He had counted upon sailing
of triumphantly with his new mamma and
had fsncied the other looking on disconso-
lately and wondering where she should find
another boy. To see her so quickly spoken
for and by q round-faced chit of a girl, too,
was more than he could bear.
MY mother doesn't like girls" he said
contemptuously. Shed rather have boys"
"It makes no difference" said his mother,
quietly taking the little girl by the hand,
''since my own boy does not love me-"
Il do"-Johnny stopped; and the clerk
behind the counter sung out, take the first
door to the left. As quick as you can,
please" And Johnny's mother went out with
her new daughter, having first kissed the tip
of his little nose, which was all she had time
to do.
Johnny walked up and down, looking Gu
riously at the waiting mothers. One of them
had kind, pleasant eyes but her mouth was
too large. Another, with a small delicate
mouth had pointed chin, which made him
think too much of q Whitfield stick. A third
had scar on her cheek and fourth was
dressed in purple, which he didn't like.
Many others there were, but he saw none
whom he felt like taking home. One by one,
he saw them disappear, led away by children
mOIc lOIluuhto VI lchb luStAulOub tnnu nos
STILL he fingered.
'Time's most up. No mothers exchanged
after five O'Clock" cried the clerk. "What
kind of a mother did you want, young man p
II wanted "a good one" stammered
Johnny.
"What was the matter with the one you
had ?"
"shs wouldn't buy me a pair of skates.
Said was too little"
I'm buy you a pair of skates, said voice
from the corner.
Johnny turned his head, and saw rosy
checked, young-looking woman with lovely
brown curls. She was Number Nineteen" !"
"Will you let me go skating on joys
Pond 2" he asked.
"Yes, indeed. Every day, if you like"
''I'll take you" said Johnny. He put out
his hand, and the rosy checked young woman
| took II, which concluded the bargain.
Johnny had certainly found what he wish
ed. The thought OF his new privileges ought
to have made him perfectly happy; but,
strangely enough, 1t didn't He wondered
why it was that his heart was 80 heavy as he
escorted his indulgent parent TO her new
| home.
She went out that very evening, and bought
the promised skates, taking Johnny with her
to select them proceeding which kept
him out of his little bed an hour longer than
usual, and made him feel tired and cross in
| consequence.
But the next morning, very early, he start
ed for joys Pond. He had, of course,
shown to his new mother the pretty stockings
| in the right. hand corner of the second draw
or, and was surprised and delighted when
she allowed him to put them on at once. He
looked down upon them proudly as he walked
up the street. and wondered II the other
boys would notice them. He was sure that
he loved his new mother very much. Still,
he could not quite enjoy the favor of the
kiss which she had given him at parting
and he rubbed his lips very hard with his lit
tie pink handkerchief as soon as he was fair
ly out Of sight.
She had told him not to hurry home, but
TO stay as long as he liked, What could be
ask for more Z Nothing, certainly. Ee had
often pronounced his own mother ''fussy,
because OF certain restrictions with regard
to time bat now he was hardly bettel