The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-01
Toms Idea.


this morning, and l want you to pick
out the stones this afternoon, Tom"
said Mr.. Green to his son at the din
ner table one day.
Tom said nothing, but he looked his
dismay, and forgot to eat the piece of
turnip which he held balanced on the
end of his three-tined fork.
"Throw them over on the west side
of the lot, then they will be out of the
way" continued his father, as he put
on his hat to go back to his work.
Yes, sir" said Tom.
The door shut, and Tom groaned.
was going over to Sans to make
that boat this afternoon" he explained
to his sympathetic mother. 81 thought
that meadow wasn't going to bel loughed
till next week"
eff you go right about it, perhaps
you can get through in time to 60 TO
Sam's," advised his mother.
cit will take the whole afternoon to
do it all alone, and l shan't get through
before dark" said Tom, dismally.
Mrs. Green said nothing more, and
began to wash the dishes.
Tom wandered out to the hen-yard
with his hands in his pockets. He stood
watching an old biddy call her chicks
about her, when suddenly bright idea
struck him. GIVE got itp' he cried,
giving such war-whoop that the hen
and her chickens scattered in eleven
directions. He turned on his heel and
rushed into the house very differently
from the way he had gone out a few
minutes before.
"I'm going over to Sam's," he said
to his mother.
She looked at him, and saw roguish
twinkle in his brown eyes.
Well" she said, "only, Tom, don't
fail to have your work done by night"
"No, ma'am," trying to look sober,
though he smiled in spite of himself.
An hour later he came into the dining
room where she was sewing, and tilted
himself on her rocker while he coaXed.
"Say, mother, can't have few of the
fellows to supper, and won't you make
some hot biscuits? Fathers going to
the village, and won't get home till
seven O'Clock, so he won't care"
6" guess So" she answered. =" was
going to make biscuits anyway, and |
can make few extra just as WELL"
She did not ask him why he wanted
the boys to supper, but she knew he
was working out some bright idea of
his own and, motherlike, was ready to
help, while she watched him curiously.
Soon after she heard him saving in the
wood-shed, then he came in to ask for
some red paint.
The boy came at four O'Clock, accord
ing to Toms invitation. There were
four of them besides Tom. Mrs. Green
looked out of the kitchen window, and
saw Tom taking them towards Pike
Meadow. Over on the west side of the
meadow she could see some bright OBJ
iect standing on the stone wall, but she
could not tell what it was. Then she
saw the boys stoop and fill their peck
cts with stones. Then they formed in
line, and took turns throwing the
stones at the object on the other side
They kept their shot flying, little by
little moving nearer their target
Meanwhile. she baked her delicious bis
cults, and laughed to herself. AT six
O'Clock the five young singers came
trooping into supper, hot and hungry
"That was a fine target, TOm," sale
one of the boys. where did you gel
it?"
"Made it," said Tom, promptly
"Had some paint left over from thu
boat, you know"
While they were eating, Mr.. Greer
came home unexpectedly. He spok'
kindly to them all, then, turning t.
Tom, he said, "Did you pick the stones
out of the meadow this afternoon, as
told you, and throw them on the ives
side, Thomas?"
"Yes, sir, we did," said Tom, de
murely, while the other boys, SEEM
through the joke for the first time
fairly houted.-Harper's Young PEG
| nile