The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-08-05


make clothes without nothin' to make
'em Of
That evening enough calico for three
pretty gowns and plain white cap found
their way into the mothers lap. Dan
Barrett had done his first purely I'M
selfish deed, and little Mollie's winning
smile was the rudder which had turned
the current of his life. He saw her many
times after that but Clayton was never
again met with jeering words, and he
wondered much that the rough boy had
always a smile and whistle for her, not
dreaming of the civilizing influence
which the two were unconscionsly
exerting.
Dan next took a strange freak of in
dustry and worked eagerly at every job
he could get, boarding up the proceeds
with jealous care and not confiding to
any one the object he had in view. He
made bargain with Katy for penny a
day, that the little Claudio should be
neatly washed and dressed every after
noon, and an interest in her akin to real
love was springing up in the boys I'M
tutored heart. 'As good as she is
pretty" was refrain which often ran in
his mind, and how could Claudio be good
unless she was protected from bad as
sociationsP So he became more careful
of his speech, suppressing the oaths and
coarse words which he had hitherto
used freely. The improved cleanliness
of the child spread its leaven among her
surroundings, and the cottage floor was
washed oftener as she began to creep
over it, and Katy spent her precious
pennies in the purchase of a new calico
for herself, which Mrs. Barrett, having a
good deal of natural taste, taught her to
make neatly and becomingly.
At length the chilly fall days came on
and early one evening an ominOus signal
caught Dams eye as he was passing the
home of the Grahams-a long streamel
of black and white Grape upon the door
"What does it mean?' he asked of 9
neighbor who was going in.
Little Molly is Dead" she answered
with tears in her eyes. 'She was taken
with Group yesterday and died to-day
Dan turned away with dull heavy
ache in his breast.
Shortly after, when Clayton was il
the parlor where the cold form wa!
| lying, the door opened softly and DaI
entered, bearing a small bouquet o
chrysanthemums in his Tough hand.
did you want to see her?" Clay asked
in surprise.
Dan nodded, and looked at the swee
face of one who was dear to him, til
great tears fell from his eyes. Hastil,
placing the flowers upon the still breas
he turned away.
st was Mollie that gave me the frs
thought O. being different" he saiC
when Clayton, drawn to him by hi
evidant grief, had invited him into hi
own room. ''And your lovin' her 81
that set me a-thinkin' how ought to be
I've been to work all summer layin' b,
money to buy Claudio carriage likt
hers, so l could take her out and SHOW
you that loved my sister too, but nov
Mollie's gone it takes away every bit o
pleasure ont"
But you can go right on loving anC
being kind to Claudio, Dan," Clayton
replied with eager sympathy. "Oh, i
you knew how it comforts me to re
member the little kindness l could SHOW
Mollie, and how the careless words O.
deeds hurt now, I'm sure you would
never fail in love to Claudio"
When Dams story was made known t.
Mr.. Graham, he remarked, "Swee
Mollie had her little mission on eartl
and she accomplished it well. / thinl
1 will continue the work by doing some
thing for the boy myself"
Clayton" said Mrs. Graham, aftel
her husband had had a long converse
ton with Dan in his private office
could you bear to see Claudio in llttlC
Mollie's carriage? Papa wishes Dan t
go to school and use the money which
he has saved for books and clothing. W.
do not like to have the boy disappointed
in his unselfish effort, and yet with q
couple of terms in school, he can take ;
position where he may become success
full business man. Shall we help him
Clay?'
Eyes, mother" Clayton replied
though with an effort. ''It will be hard
but we can remember that we are carry
ing on little Mollie's missionary work.
Every time Dan saw the dainty car
riage in his home of poverty and neglect
his ambition was strengthened, and the
whole family was raised by it to high
er level. Now that he has become
useful and successful man, he still
cherishes in his heart tender memory
of little Mollie, whose gentle, un
conscious influence helped to save anC
mold his life.-Mrs. f. N. Howdrd, /,
COngregdtiondliSt.