The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-08-24
Our Sons ano Girls.
What DOttie Did.

without speaking.
Once in while he would glance fur
lively at his mother, who was busy at
the table with an old pair of Uncle
Jacks pants, and pattern that seemed
to be about the size Rob would wear.
Every time Rob looked his face grew
longer.
Presently he walked across the room
to the opposite window, and stood
there awhile. Once or twice he turned
as if to speak, but his courage evidently
failed him. Finally he made desper-
ate effort.
81 couldn't-there isn't any way, is
there, for me to have-a boughten suit
of clothes this fall?"
He tried to speak easily, but there
was little culver in his voice, in spite
of him.
Mrs. Graham looked up from her
work sadly.
CT do not really see how there is, my
son. There are so many ways for every
penny, that must save when can. 1
try to have your clothes look as well as
/ can"
al know it," said Rob quickly. 81
don't believe many mothers could do as
we'll as you do. They look real good,
only you know they aren't quite like
the other boys, so they laugh, of course.
l ought not to mind, and try not to,
but sometimes when they poke fun it
makes me feel ever 80 bad"
Rob turned back to the window as
quickly as possible, but not before his
mother had caught sight of two great
tears rolling down his cheeks. The boys
did tease him sol
Her own eyes filled instantly. Rob
was such brave, helpful little fellow,
it hurt her to the quick to have him
grieved.
81 would get you the best suit in
town, laddie," she said, "and be only
too glad to do it if only could"
90, well, it is all right" answered
Rob as bravely as he could. 81 won't
mind so very much, guess"
He tried to whistle Annie Laurie !"
as he went out into the woodshed to
could not get the right pucker to his
mouth, and it had a rather doleful
sound
Rob's little sister Dotte had been
sitting in the corner playing with her
dolls all the time, and apparently not
listening to the conversation, but in re-
was much disturbed.
Rob was her idol; she trotted round
after him in the most devoted, admir-
ing sort of way. She had her own
little heart aches, of course, which Rob
soothed and comforted away, but she
could not remember seeing tears in
Rob's eyes since their father died.
"Boys didn't cry" he often told her,
thprp ham in m
down his cheeks when he turned to 60
into the woodshed, for she had seen
them, so he must be feeling ever so
badly.
81 should like to shake those bad
boys harder than anything" she
thought, shaking Arabella vindictively
at the same time as a sort of proxy.
"Rob is nicer than any Of 'em, and I'd
get him some clothes if could. Just
wonder"-
Dottie gave little gasp, and Ara
bella fell TO the floor unnoticed.
Last Christmas one of the neighbors
had given her bright silver dime, and
Dottie had kept it in cotton ever since.
1t was just as bright and shiny as could
be, and seemed like untold wealth to
her; even suit of clothes could not
cost much, if any more. The thought
that had come to her was this, could
she use her treasure this way?
She went upstairs and took it out
and looked at it, trying hard not to cry.
1t was all she had she might never
have another until she was big girl
and could earn it herself. Why, mamma
had so very, very few, and had to think
so long before she ventured to spend
one. But Rob was so good, and he
wanted the clothes so muchl
Half an hour later little figure
crept out of the house and ran down
the street, clasping a little box tightly
in her hand. Her eyes were swollen
and tear-stained, but not tear was to
be seen now, and her little mouth was
shut in very determined way.
Down the street she went, straight tc
Carter & Gray's" clothing store. She
knew Mr.. Carter; he always patted he1
on the head and spoke to her so kindly
because she looked like his little CIR
that died, he said. She found him, anG
he took her into his office.
"What is it, Dottie?" he asked, see,
ing instantly that something was the
matter.
go, Mr.. Carterl Rob's crying, and
want to buy some clothes for him, 6
real, truly suit, you know. Mamma
has to make his, cause she hasn't money
enough to buy everything, and the boys
laugh at him, and he cried to-day. I've
brought you my shiny money-it's all
ever had Won't it buy some clothes
for Rob that the boys won't laugh at?'
Poor little Dottie, how she sobbec
and cried nowl 1t was 80 hard to give
up her money, and it would be Sc
dreadful if it would not get the clothes
Mr.. Carter stopped down and picket
her up in his arms and kissed her.
Certainly, it will buy Robbie som'
clothes. You will be as proud as you
can be of him, and not boy will dar'
laugh again. We will pick them out a
once, and l will take them home TO
YOU"
Robbie Rob " Dot called ex
citedly, as she ran up the walk. "Com,
here, quick I've boughted you
WhOlQ naW anti and the boua