The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-12-25

my dear7" said the gentleman TO the
lady. 81 was detained, and then
had so many bundles. ought to have
driven to the store, but had help. YOU
see. Here, boy, take this quarter and
get something to eat. You look nearly
starved, but you seem To have more
strength than l at fret thought"
Mechanically the boy took the money,
for he was gazing at the lovely child
as her father lifted her into the sleigh.
Beautiful indeed was Gladys RAYMOND.
Her blue eyes and curly hair ALWAYS at
tracted attention.
wonder If she lives here, :" thought
the boy; "she looks most like an angel,
/ guess. l wonder if the biz bundle
was for her can have something to
eat now. That man is gentleman. /
wish there were more like him; then
they would let me work and earn some
thing. l am just awful hungry; did
not know it before, or that is knew it,
but couldn't have anything to eat.
guess | will go down to the factory first;
it is time for the men to 90 home to din
ner, and perhaps | can get a job"
When he reached the place he found
the large gate wide open and all gone
except those who were running on the
little railroad which connected with the
main road further on. These men
were switching back and forth and run
ming their carloads of material on tolthe
track where the trains on the main line
would take them on TO their destina-
ton. Little Joe was watching them
with great deal of interest when he
suddenly heard Gathering of bells,
and looking up saw team dashing
down the hill. AT glance he saw it
was a sleigh whose only occupant was
the lovely child he saw on the street.
Quick as a flash the little fellow thought
of the big gate. He knew the only
means Of escape for the child was the
closing of that gate. 1t must be done;
but how? He could never push it
up. No one saw the approach
| ing team but himself. Instantly he
drew off the long scarf and, doubling
il, he put it around one of the bars in
the gate. Then pulling with all his
might he started and ran. Oh, dear,
would the gate never yiell? For
tuuately the old scarf was strong and
held firmly, until at last the gate swung
! slowly forward; faster ran the boy and
swung the gate into place as the foam
ing horse dashed ito ard it, and,
seeing an obstruction, turned and ran
round the building. Directly back of
the factory was very steep hill; slower
and slower grew the pace of the horse,
and little Joe, by putting forth his best
efforts, was able to reach it. Crouched
in the bottom Of the sleigh was the
child unframed, but very much fright
ened.
Looking up Ito the boys face, she
said, g." Where is papa2"
" Here, he's coming" painted the lit
tie boy, and soon the gentleman reached
them.
The horse had become frightened
while he and his wife were standing
on the sidewalk, and before he could
reach the sleigh it was gone. Taking
his darling child in his arms, he turned
to speak to the boy, but the little fel
low was trembling with excitement, so
simply saying Jump in here" he drove
rapidly to where his wife was anxiously
waiting. Telling her the way in which
the horse was stopped. the lady, with
one arm about her little girl, turned,
and, placing the other about the boy as
he was getting out of the sleigh, said
ono, my boy, stay here. l want to
ask you some questions, and you need
a warm dinner when we get home
y
Years after, in telling about his boy
hood, Joe Hawthorne always said
"When | found | was to live in that
family, felt as though God had re
membered me at last, and have never
doubted his care over me an instant.
l was doing the best | could when he
helped.me to something better. "-Daisie
Wesley, Exchange.