The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-30

something already. L wonder where
Tom went this evening; he and Rick
Hunter had some mischief on foot, /
know. Somehow Rick does not seem
as he used to. / have not paid much
attention to him lately, I've been 30
busy with other things, but as watched
him tonight thought he had changed.
He looks reckless and unhappy. Poor
boyl He must miss his sister too-she
was almost mother 10 him; it seems
hard that he must have lost her. 1t
must be forlorn for him with no one
to go to at home; his father isn't there
much And fathers aren't mothers or
sisters, anyway. l wonder if he is one
of my opportunities.' do believe he
| is, for somehow cannot help feeling
that the poor boy needs some one 10
help him."
1t was a Irregular northeaster, in
doors and OUT" Tom said. Lide's head
and ankle ached badly; and she felt
strongly inclined to nestle down among
her pillows and let things go as they
would. Then better impulse moved
her.
81 am kept here for some purpose, 1
must be sure not to miss it," she
thought. 1t may be to smooth the
way for others. maggie" she called,
"just bring those raisins to me; l can
stone them just as we'll as not"
"Can your" said Maggie. 81 hate
to trouble you, but it will help so much,
and everything seems to be in a heap
this morning. l don't quite know what
to do first"
"What is it, Tom? You look dis
tressed," was Lide's next query.
"Can't find your knife, and you want it
the worst way? Well, cannot get up
to hunt, 80 l will do the next best
thing and offer suggestions: Have you
looked on the kitchen window-you
leave it there sometimes-and on the
beam in the back entry? In the work
shopp Well, run up stairs and look on
the floor in the closet. Punch says,
you know, that Sometimes the least
likeliest place is more likelier than the
most likeliest.' Found it? That's
goodl l was of some use if l am a
cripple, wasn't II"
Papa, you will certainly miss the
train. Just tell me what you want said
and will write your letters while you
shave and dress. And, mamma, before
you go down stairs just push your
mending basket along where can reach
it; it will help pass away the time to be
busy"
An hour later, Lide left to herself,
now mending Toms stockings, heard
the door open and Rick looked in.
"Tom here?" he asked.
"No," replied Lide, )" but he will be
in soon. Cannot you come in and sit
with me? The rest are busy. l would
like to be amused"
So Rick came in, and Lide exerted
herself to the utmost to make the time
pass pleasantly.
"Come again." she said, when Tom
came back, and was pleased to have
Rick assent promptly. 1t was not long
before he got in the habit of dropping
in every day. Lide soon found that he
timed his visits when she would be
alone.
One day he came in looking much ex-
cited and perplexed.
"I've had an invitation to 60 away
Miss Lide," he said, when they were
alone. alt will be great fun. be-
lieve will go.'
Where?" asked Lide, looking up
into the boys excited face a little
anxiously. Something was wrong, she
knew.
"Why-the Smiths want me to 60 off
on their yacht with them, and be gone
a month"
Rick twirled his knife in his hands
nervously and looked out of the win
dow as he spoke instead of at Lide.
He knew as we'll as she did, better,
perhaps, that the Smiths, both of them,
were profane, dissipated fellows.
That's all he thinks or cares" he
added, with ring of bitterness in his
tone, Lide put out her hand and laid
it gently on one of Kicks.
"Don't go, Rick-pease:don't Think
; how sorry Hattie would be to have you
{ in such company"
Rick struggled for few minutes
then his head dropped on Lide's pillow
and he sobbed like child.
Nobody cares now, Miss Lide, ant
nobody helps me try to be good"
81 care, Rick, ever so much, and
will love and help you if you'll let me-
There were sounds of footsteps JUS
, then, and Rick rushed off. Lide die
/ not see him again until night; then hi
came in when the rest were at tea.
/ "f-told the Smiths could not go,
: he said. :" l should have gone if it haC
, not been for you, and guess it woulC
+: have been the last of me. felt as i
it would anyway; bat I'll try to be I
E better fellow if you'll do as you said
!, love me and help me-"
. "Indeed l will, Rick. I'll help yol
r all that can; but don't forget to asl
E Gods help, and I'll pray for you too,
said Lide.
Il "Thank YOU" said Rick, putting GU
8 his hand. "I-can't say much, but yo'
don't know how you have helped me
d Miss Lide."
!, at seemed to Lide that she ha,
e never been so happy in her life.
g al should have missed this" sh
v thought, "if had not been kept at home
I and nothing that l could have epjoye'
h would have given me half the Joy thi
q has. And l have learned 80 much O
/. Maggie. / never half knew her be
fOre,0