Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-08-21
HIS DUTY.

very trying in their rudely built cabin a
few miles out on the plains from the viii
lage All the time he was about this labor
of love he was thinking of the fortunate
opening likely to be his that day.
He had been searching for something to
do in the village, for matters were getting
serious in their little home. The mother
had been sick so long, and their expenses
mad been so heavy, that the little they had
saved against a time of need was now com
pletcly gone. Next to nothing remained
for them to live upon and, if possible, he
must find work of some kind to keep actual
want from the door.
So for two or three days previous to this
morning he had been looking for work, but
without success. He was either too young
or not strong enough, or they had no work
for a boy, and he had become well nigh
discouraged The evening before, how
ever. Just as he was about to give mp
trying further for that day, he had stepped
into the store OF Field & Swinburne, hard
ware dealers, and asked if they needed
boy He was shown into the office, where
he found MIR. Swuburne alone.
That gentleman, after making some in
uuiries as TO Bennie's age and where lie
lived, said
"Ycs we DO need boy; but Mr.. Field is
now ont OF town. You may come tomor-
row morning at . o'clock, and we will see
what can he done for YOU. Mind, now, and
be on t.unc, as we shall hire the first boy
that cones along"
"Wha, W. 1,s would you be apt to payi"
Bcuaie Ne'. urol 10 ask.
"DA! ttvO or three dollars a week" an
tvcrod l'r SVinburue carelessly ut dr.
peua- altogether on how well you work"
So Eeunic built the fire, and busted him
Ee.f in cooking the potatoes-all that they
had tor hreaklast-happy at the prospect
before him, and sure that he would 60 his
best to earn the hiSLeet wages suggested.
On that amount he felt confident his moth
tr and himself could, with proper care,
live com rtaby until she was able to work
H2a!u.
The hreaEfast-if dish of potatoes can
be c-lled a hreak.ast-once ready, he went
to the door of his mothers room aud called
her
Only think, mother" he exclaimed, as
they sat down ut the table, Pm to have
work today; aud if I'm worth it Pm to
have three dollars Il week. and thatll be
enough for MS to live en-
"Yes, inaecd' responded his mother.
But | fear You are TOO young to under
take 50 much; >Upve all. to take your long
wal, after each days work.
"Oh, cou st1nd 1t easily enough, mo-
ther.' be a,-rc'ci confidently.
When l.e poor little meal was finished
he tror-ut III several huge arnful, of
wood, ;i.d arr. -aa as fur a. possible for
his Inothcr'9 comfort throughout the day,
md then put on his coat and started,
"Uere is your scarf, Bonnie" said his
mother, calling him back, 1T viii be
chilly as you walk home tonight, and you
will need it."
He laughiugly took it, not realizing then
how it would be of special service to him a
little later
1t was not yet o'clock, and he had
ample time to reach the village before the
appointed hour. The most direct way was
down the railroad track, and be hurriedly
tryped over the ties, as happy as "A boy
could well be.
Within mile of the village the track
made a sharp turn to the right and entered
what was known as Henway's cut, whore
the roadbed had been blasted through solid
rock for number Of rods As Bennie
reached the curve he, AS q precaution,
glanced along the track to be sure the SIS
passenger train was now here in sight, and
then entered the getaway.
When about half way through however,
he suddenly stopped, for in front of him
lay large bowlder which had fallen from
the cliff above, and completely blocked the
passage.
But it was possible TO Chamber over it,
and Bonnie began to do so. Then he as
quickly got down again. The thought had
come 70 him that the train, No. q, coming
around the curve at full speed, would not
have time to come to full stop before