The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-06-14

cause I'm so small and they think can
carry big bundles. only wish thai
they'd let me try
There might be penny stuck in a
crack in the drawer was the only an
swer Nellie's plainLive voice made. Mrs
Benson's got an uncommon big washing
to-day, and mamma won't be back TIL
most night, and it may be l won't care
for an apple then, but l do want one how
so very, very much
L might go down into the street and
see if couldn't earn a nickel in some
way, only
Only what, Wille2' asked Nellie'e
eager voice, as he hesitated.
1 promised mother I'd stay with you
until she came back. She is worried
about you, and she don't want you left
alone
But won't mind it, indeed l won't,
Willie. I'll be thinking about the apple
all the time, and I'm sure mamma won't
mind. My mouth is so hot and dry,
and the water isn't one bit good Please
60
AN right, I'll go, and I'll just make
some one give me a job to earn an apple
for you
Willie looked quite fierce as he made
this threat. Then, taking his rimless
hat, he started down stairs.
L wouldn't wonder'n my old hat keeps
me from getting work, he soliloquized,
sOberly; but how's fellow to get new
hats an things when nobody won't hin e
him? Let his dear mother scrub 'em
out on the washboard, maybe. Hum,
I'd hn aghannaI O nf hot .
way
The hot sun beat down upon him as
he passed along the street, and he kept
thinking of the little sick sister waiting
for the apple. Yes, he must get one for
her, somehow. But how That was
the question that puzzled him.
His face frightened as he remembered
that he had seen a man unloading wood
at the Widow Hopkins's yard the day
before.
She'll want some one to cut it for
her, he thought, joyously, for of course
a woman cant cut wood
But when he reached the door a larger
boy had just rung the bell, having come
on the same errand as himself, and OF
course the Widow Hopkins engaged the
larger. stronger toy to do the work,
Hello, Willie Plunkett, come and
have game of ball. called one of Will
lies mates, for this boy Willie was a
master hand at ball or any other game,
and the boy enjoyed his society.
1t was great temptation, | assure
you, but Willie had no thought of yield.
ing TO it. Remembering that he wat
the head of the family, he replied EN-
phatically:
4 can't. I'm looking for a job
An old woman was going by, anC
hearing these words from the lips of &
very child, she turned and scrutinizeG
his face closely.
Just at that mOment-was it by acci
dent, or do you think she did it pur
posely ?-her foot slipped and away
rolled several brown paper bundles she
was carrying in her arms.
Dear mel Dear me sus! What ever
shall do ? she exclaimed in dismay.
Quick as flash Willie sprang to heI
assistance.
Did you sprain your ankle, marin {?
he asked solicltously, as he brushed the
dust from one of the parcels with HI.
jacket sleeve.
4 suppose you want to be paid for
picking up my packages she queried
in u sharp, squeaky voice that exactly
matched her thin, sharp face, with III
long nose and keen gray eyes.
Willie's sensitive face flushed vivid
scarlet.
I'D be ashamed to take pay for pick
ing up lady's bundle for her. he said
his young voice filled with Indignation
You would, eht thought you wer,
looking for job!'
And so l am, marm. I'm the hvaC
of family, and my sister wants an ap
pie real bad, but l wouldn't think of
of taking advantage of any ones acci
dent. much less a lady's.'
Willie caught his breath after the eff
fort it had cost him to make such az
elderly sounding remark, and there wal
a sly twinkle in the keen old eyes, bu
Willie did not see it.
Here's a nickel, and good big pay i
is for the little turn you did for me, sh,
said, almost savagely.
Willie drew back and threw up hi,
head proudly.
If you'll let me earn the nickel I'll b,
glad TO take it for Nellie's sake, he said
III carry all these bundles home fo
you. and then you may give me tn,
uickel.'
Il live long piece from here tn,
sharp voice made answer.
It'll give me better chance to earl
the nickel, replied Willie briskly.
Very well. Step up spry, then, righ
around the first corner, and mind yol
don't lag behind. don't mean to Civ,
you chance to slip any Of the smalle
bundles in your pocket.
The old eyes took note of every chang,
in the boy g frank face, and how couIc
Willie know that she was testing him
or her object in asking where he lived
Il have an errand in this store, sh,
said, as she was passing large grocer,
store. Come in with me-
The proprietor, a tall, fine-lookinI
man, came forward and said:
Where is your carriage, motherf'
She drew him aside and held a whia.
pered consultation with him, durin,
which they both glanced often at Will,
guarding those brown bundles whlcI
the eccentric old lady had been carryini
home, because her carriage had moi
come for her at the moment she ex
pected.
Presently she came up to him.
This gentleman is going to send thos,
things to my house free of charge, anC
as "a penny saved is two earned"
think I'll let him do it..
Without another word she walked ou
of the door and took a seat in carriag,
that had just driven up.
Willie choked, and two big rount
tears Slid down his cheeks in spite Of hi
brave efforts TO keep them back. IL
had been so sure Of an apple for Nellie
and the disappointment was bitter in
deed.
| The fine gentleman cav il all, but h
had promised tat good old mother o
his something, and he let poor, disap
pointed Willie go away without one en-
couraging word.
The whole hour had been wasted, an,
he must now go home without Nellie
apple.
Slowly his reluctant feet approached
the door of his mothers room; slowly i
swung open in his hand. How could hl
bear to see Nellie's eager, expectant fac,
when there was no apple 10 give her?
% Willie. Willie Plunkettr callet
Nellie's voice the moment he stepped
inside the door. The queerest little OLE
lady has been here, and she brought ,
lota and lofts of annlaa aud otapc,as o,,,