The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-05-20
BEN PREsroN's PLUCK.

1t was cold mnrning. The people in
the village were almost frozen, and at
the little red cottage in the hollow,
where the wind had free sweep across
acres of meadow land and hillside, it
was a great deal worse.
But when Ben Preston jumped out of
bed to build the fire for his mother, it
was not the cold that worried him most;
it was because he knew that in the
cupboard there was only scant pro-
| vision.
The ladies who brought sewing to his
mother would not come up to the hollow
in such weather, nor could she cross
these heavy drifts to go to them, ex-
plains writer in our Dumb animals.
''Well," says Ben to himself, as he
danced about to keep his feet from freez-
ing while the fire burned up, II don t
see any way but to take the support OF
the family on myself for few days. l
can't do much, but maybe 1 can help a
bit. I'll try, that's what" And he
drew himself up, looking very manly
and strong.
When the little breakfast was eaten-it
was nothing but corncakes with butter,
and milk too drink-as they had cow
Ben carried in load of wood and pail
of water, and then began to button up
his coat.
"Not going out, Benz" asked his
mother. Eyes, mother, I'm going to
look for job in the village"
"But, Ben, you'll be almost frozen"
''Think not, mother. | am strong as
young horse, and it's fine morning
for sweeping sidewalks and crossings,
you know. I'll just take my shovel and
see if 1 can't bring back something to
fill up that cupboard"
you're a good boy, Ben" said the
widow, with deep sigh and smile at
his bright face.
fought to be. Got a good mother,
YOU know" responded Ben. And then,
putting on his old hat, he darted into
the shed for his snow shovel and was of,
plunging through the drifts as if it was
firstrate fun.
He had no overcoat, and his hands
were hardly covered by the old mittens,
but he put one hand then the other, in
his pocket to warm them, and trudged
along with a CHEEKY whistle, never mind
ing the cold.
When he got to the village, he stopped
Just before DR.. HutChinson's big house.
The doctor was just opening the shut
tiers, and Ben hailed him: "Good morn
ing, doctor; don't you want your walk
cleared Off"
''Well. might" responded the doctor.
''Think you're heavy enough for the
job?'
"Just you try me-" said Ben begin
ming to dig away at the piled up snow:
''All right, sonny. Make good job
of it and I'll give you quarter" And
with that the doctor went into the house.
Ben worked and tugged, and in half an
hour he had that sidewalk well shOveled
off. Then he raped at the door, and
received the quarter from the doctors
wife.
"Well, that's a beginning" said he,
and trudged on, stopping where he saw
good chance for job, and in most
cases getting it.
Two or three times he was hailed by
boys going down to the dam to skate
and asked to 90 with them, but his only
answer was to shake his head and pitch
into the drifts with renewed energy,
When noon came he had $1.25.
"Pretty well for one half day." said he,
"Guess we can live while snow lasts, If
mother don't sew any"
He ran around the corner to Balzer's
grocery, and bought loaf of bread, half
pound of cheese, some tea, sugar and
several other little necessaries, and still
had a little left. He borrowed basket
from Mr.. Balzer, put his packages into
it, dashed out and stepped into the
butchers to buy juice steak. Then he
took the road to the hollow again. And
1 tell you his mothers bright face
when he ran into the house with his well
laden basket we'll repaid him for his
mornings work.
"What should l do without my good,
brave boy?" she exclaimed as he told
his little story. Ben laughed and said,
"Oh, that is nothing" He was very
proud of her praise.
That boy has future.