The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-06-18
Our Mons ano Girls.
Number Ten.

1t was 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 to-day
but gossamers and umbrellas. If it
wasn't for rainy day coming and max
ing 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 escapes and shootings."
Take it out of your pocket and let's
hear Them" said chorus of voices.
Come on, Ten" said one Of the
boys. "Move along here and make a
place for Ten" he continued, pushing
against the crowd which had gathered
in corner by the bundle counter
I" | don't care for such papers," said
the newly. arrived cash. boy. "There's
nothing true in 'em-nothing improv-
ing or instructing. 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"
Items preaching" said the owner
of the paper Let's pass round the
hat"
But Gilbert Shaw, " Cash-boy, Num-
Der Ten" paid no attention to the
taunts of his companions, and, sitting
down by the counter, quietly took a
paper out of his pocket, and after look
ing over the contents, read slowly and
aloud: {" A gentleman interested in
art offers a prize of So for the best
specimen of drawing made by boy
who has never had any instruction in
the art, and who is not over fifteen
years of age. Competitors for the
prize must have the drawings in by the
lst of April"
You're the boy, Ten, to try for
that; you'll get it, sureH" exclaimed
one of the boys, whose attention had
been drawn away from the alluring pic
lures of the first paper.
" He made a good job of the doll
dressmaker's sign" said one of the
crowd, sneeringly.
Did Ten paint thal?" asked another
boy. THAT'S a piece of artistic
genius, | must confess"
"Ten's solid with all the ladies' -
said Oscar Holmes. Miss McCleary
in the suit department, dotes on him
and always asks Where's Temp and
the lady at the lace counter, she always
gives him her sweetest smiles; anC
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 6
call for Cash" "Amy Brown is a
poor little lame girl, and Ten ha;
been the means of setting her up il
business. She was very poor, anC
didn't have enough to eat before that
Now she dresses the dolls for the rich
folks all about, and they pay her wei
for it,"
Didn't know all that" said the
largest boy.
Three cheers for Cash." sale
another, and the repeated calls fol
"Cash " just then made the boys scat
ter in different directions.
When Gilbert Shaw went home tina
night he resolved to try for the prize
81 don't expect to get it, MOTHER" he
said, i" but | shan't lose anything by try
ing, and | can spend my evenings prac
ticing."
After he had confided his plan to hi
mother, he went over to tell Amy
Brown. She was very happy that even
ing, for she had just received an ordel
for ten dresses for doll's reception.
so | do hope you'll get the prize
Gilbert" she said. do believe vol
will. How wish | could do something
to help you," and the little girl read thu
announcement in the paper over an(
over. Gilbert, Mr.. Graham would
give you some help, know. He is g
very kind man, and III tell him II
make all his little girls dolls dresses
for nothing if he will show you how t,
make good drawing"
But the paper says it must be with
out any instruction, you know, Amy
and it wouldn't be honest or honorabl,
to get any one to help me-" said Gil
bert.
How would the gentleman who offer
the prize know whether the boys 90
help or not?" the little girl asked.
elf l cheated I'd know it myself
wouldn't l, Amy? And God woulC
know it; and if l got the prize l should
always think that got it by false pre-
fences. No, I'll do the square thing
Amy"
"You are right, Gilbert, and an
wrong; but you have been so kind t.
me that want so much to have yol
get it.
A few days before the LIST of April
Gilbert Shaw sent his drawing and hi
name as a competitor for the offere'
prize. No one saw the drawing but hi
mother and Amy Brown, and the
thought it an excellent piece of artistic
work; but they were partial judges
and the boy did not count much OIL
their opinions.
Nothing was heard from the DRAWN,
for some weeks, and Gilbert Shaw haC
given up hearing from it. 1t had prob
ably been lost through the mail, hi
mother said, or there had been som
mistake about the address. But on
morning in June the cashier at tn