The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-12-06
WPm tired. too. Maddv.O


"Mebbe he's sick, as father said"
"Stuff, Glenn. You're croaker from
CroakersviIle. Here is a nice bit of
woods, and the grass and leaves will
make fine bed"
"Ain't you 'fraid, Maddy?'
"What OFF"
60, ghosts, and lots of things"
" You'd better turn round and go
home"
"No," | decided then and there,
" I'm going TO Philadelphia with you"
s. Maddy hitched All Back to a ma
pie tree, and we lad down for the night.
Oar extra suits from the bundle we used |
for covering. But the air was chilly, |
and the grass damp. The pony was
restless, too, and kept paving the |
ground about him. So Maddy and did |
not sleep, aud before daylight we arose,
feeling both stiff and tired.
Let's go on" said brother, without
even whistle. 1--WE may reach
farmhouse, where they'll give US break
fast. I've got a dollar, and we won't
beg till we have to. Come, Glenn"
And we remouuted All Black, who
gave a diss ltisfied snort. The road
Iorked just ahead, as we could see, even
in the darkness.
(Which way now, Maddy?"
Well turn to the right" he an
swered, unhesitatiugly. "1've heard
father say that Philadelphia is exactly
northeast of u.s."
And turn to the right we did. All
Black went faster then, and it both sur
prised and pleased u.
81 He must be feeling BETTER" said
| Maddy. "There's nothing like an
early start. BY daylight we may be
| five miles further on"
"Ard five miles further from home"
ad led, with 81 h.
g. To be sure, Glen. No pro1igal
sons for me. l wouldn't go back for
tarml'
Aud our next mile was gone over in
silence. All Black limp a good deal,
but he was still making time.
When daylight came, at last, we be-
gan to look around US.
"The road don't look bit strange,
Cleml"
Il wonder where we are, Mlddy2"
81 haidy know"
"Why, there's house just like
neighbor John Fenten's," 1 cried.
cit is Fenton's, Muddy, and there runs
his dog Scrambled"
Yes, thlt's Scramble, ;" ECHOED brother,
in thorough disgust. We just turned
around in the dark, and came home by
the other road. us plain as the alpha
bet, Glenn"
"And here comes f,ther," l cried
again, after second good look at an
approaching horseman.
Its all up wi us, Gem. All Black
has brought US home. No use trying
to get away again, nowW
We stopped short, then, till father
came up TO us.
"Good morning, boysW
But we only hung our heads.
Breakfast Is rea ly," he went on
with a curious smile. Mother sem
me in search Of you. All Back must
, be hungry, TOO. Glad you CHANGED
your minds about going TO Pniladel
, phia."
We didn't" cried Maddy, stoutly
, owe came home by mistake. We tool
= the wrong road in the dark, aud"
"Mother will be glad TO know it
: boys. She worried about you las
= night, but tod her it wasn't any use
4 and So"
"Were you coming after us, flther9'
), ! interrupted, gratefully.
Certainly, Glen. l calculated tina
rou wouldn't go far-runaways neve
4 do. So hurry up, now, Steve's waiiln
- on the hill, am mother has hot-cake
for breakfast"
q l looked at Maddy, and his face wa
G study. Pride and anger, joy an
- gratitude, were struggling for tn
mastery.
a cit is good to be most home ag Mn,
he admitted. honestly. 81 guess, on
e getting TO Philadelphia Was one of thos
II MOTTO be's."
II 1t is one of Gods providences,
It said father slowly and reverently. "H
knows what is best for us all"
l And you, too, know what IA bes
eravely. "The work is hard some
Is times, but"
a 1T ends tomorrow, boys" intel
3 rupted father. "A letter and chez
have come fom Uncle Madoc. Yo
!" are both to have All education, and
ii start in life. You will begin by goin
away TO school, and"
It "Don'tP' Maddy aud l cried tC
gether. ave aren't a bit deserving
We've been wicked and ungratefull"
" But father reached out his great sur
ls burnt hands, and after lingering clasl
II be placed them on both our 1t ads.
n still hear his rough but kindly voice i
G benediction, God bless and keep yo
a always my lads"
!,
Mo'her came out to meet us wit
IS tears on her pale, thin cheeks, an
g, little Sieve chung TO us, as though h
could never let go.
"Where have you been?" they aske
Ut in concert.
But neither Maddy nor could reply
t. All Blacks jaded look was neve
Is enough, though father spoke up for Us
- The boys have had an ouling the
e won't forget. You mustn't questio
them, mother, Tor they didn't quit
p reach Philadelphia"
And then out stepped good Uncl
| II T.