Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-07-29

not be stealing 10 PICK zap u MONtoN
berries but she privately thought she
would "dare to-
Mirandy did not know what fear was
dogs did not alarm her in the least; and as
for Cap'n Mosrby and his gun, she knew
he would not shoot her; once he had given
her some peppcrmnts.
She pulled her bush down painfully,
and thought the berries were not very
large, and how fast those in Cap'n Nose
by's pasture would ill up. Harret's and
Mary AIMS voices grew fainter. Mirandy
let the bush fly back and pushed softly
through a tangle of blackberry vines to
the stone wall: narrow stretch of rocky
land lay between it apd the other which
bounded Cap'n Moseby's land. Mirandy
stood on tiptoe, and pcercd over; then she
looked at Jonathan asleep in his little
wagon, his yellow lashes on his pink
cheeks, his fat fists doubled up.
Mrandy was loyal. although she was so
young, and she had been hidden not to
leave jonathan. She looked at him, then at
the stone wall; it was manifestly impossi-
bic for her to lift him over that. She took
hold of the little wagon, and pushed it
carefully along. She remembered that she
had seen some bars a little farther back.
When she reached the bars, she shook
Jonathan until he woke up. He stared at
her in a surprised way, but never cried; he
was a good baby.
"Put your arms round sister neck, or
dered Mirandy: and Jonathan obeyed.
Mirandy tugged him out Of his little
wagon. and they both rolled over under a
berry bush. Still Jonathan did not cry.
He only gurgled a little, by way OF laugh.
He thought Mirandy was playing with
him
The bars were close together, and Mi
randy could not stir one. Jonathan CUR
gled again when his sister rolled him, like
ball, under the lowest bar, and then roll
ed under herself. But il was harder for
her to tug Jonathan across to the other
bars which guarded Cap'n Mosrby's berry
pasture: he could only toddle fccbly when
led by a strong hand. 1t was quite a puz-
zle for SiN-year-old Mrandy. but she got
him across and under the other bars: then
set him down in ,wcct-tern thickct,
and babe him keep still: and he fell asleep
again.
Mrandy picked until She had filled her
bucket and rounded it up. Her heart beat
faster and faster: her face was flushed and
eager; She looked year older than when
She started that morning. She had seen
no great black dog, and Cap'n Moseby,
with his gun, had not appeared. In the
distance She could see the hpped roof and
squat chimney of the Moseby house; but
nobody molested her.
When her bucket wa, full, she tugged
Jonathan across the field again. This
time he rrbellcd; blackberry vine had
scratched his little legs, and his peace was
too rudplV disturbed NIiraudy turppd
him into his little wagon, and he lay there
kicking and screaming. She flew back
across the field for her bucket of berries.
She had been forced to leave it while She
brought Jonathan over, and the bucket
was gone. She had set it close to the
bars, and there could be no mistake about
it.
Mirandy went back across the field: jon
athan walled louder than ever. Her four
sisters We're gathered about his little wag-
on, and Daniel and Ahiah were coming
through the bushes. Then they all turn
ed on her
Nov, Mirandy Thayer, I'd like to know
this minute where you've been?" demand
ed Eliza.
Mirandy icrked her head backwards.
"GOu amt been over in Cap'n Moseby' ;
pasture?"
Mirandy nodded.
''She's been over in Capn Mosebv' 5
pasture announced Eliza to the others.
They all stared at NIirandv. and naid no
heed to .Jonathan's walls.
Suddenly Mirandy flung her little blue
apron over her face, and began to weep.
Did you get scarcd?" asked Harriet.
Ibid the dog chase Vou?" asked Mary
Ann, very eXcitcdly.
Mirandy shook her head. and sobbed
harder
Ibid YOU see Capn Mosebv with his
gum" asked Daniel.
Mirandy shook her head.
Il wouldn't be such baby for nothing.
then" said Daniel
eve lost my bucket :" sobbcd Mirandy.
Lost your bucket" repeated Eliza.
She was the oldest sister there.
Mirandy nodded.
You re a wicked girlm Eliza said. So
verely. IL don't know what motber'Il
say. Here's Jonathan all scratched mn
too. Did YOU take him over tbereo"
Eyes" sobbed Mirandv.
you re dreadful wicked girl, Didn't
YOU know twas stealinr9''
Harriet said-it wasn't" returned Mi
randy in feeble defence.
III was. | shouldn't think vou'd said
such thing, Harriet
"Of course it's stealing" said Daniel.
soberlv.
Here you've been stealinp" scnlded
Eliza: land YOUR buckets gone and Ion
athan is all scratched nm with blackherrv
vines. | don't know what motber'U saw :,
She took Jonathan out of lis WAGON
1