The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-09-30
OUR BOYS AND GIRLS.
The Soap Box Cart,

Halo, Sawdustl"
His real name was Johnnie Briggs,
but because his father sawed wood for
a living, the boys had nicknamed him
Sawdust.
Hallop' said Johnnie. Myl-"
"Ain't she beauty, thought" ex-
claimed Bonnie, slowly moving his new
cart to and fro. {" Her tail-board comes
out, too, see here; and she tips, too,
see there" Then down fell the cart on
the ground with bang.
"Wish 1 had one, too" said John
ME, cycling the cart wistfully. "Where'd
you get it?"
"Oh, it's my birthday. It's a pres
ent. Pm nine" said Bennie, suddenly
Strengthening up. " When you're as
old as / am, p'haps you'll get one,
too"
Johnnie shook his head.
"I don't know" he said, "I'm
more'n nine now, but l don't have any
presents"
"Do you know how to playhouse?
Come on then-get in an I'll be the
horse"
Into the cart went one of Johhnie's
little bare feet, but the next instant he
stood upon the ground with disap-
pointed look on his face.
whats the matter now," asked Ben
ME, don't you want to play?"
81 can't" said Johnnie, swallowing
down sob. "I've got to 60 home. It's
time for father to go to work. I'll play
SOM OF her time-if you'll ask me-"
"Well, 1 shan't," said Bonnie, de-
| oiIn61u &C What rvaiY,e, hnp,a for
anyway"
Johnnie hung his head. He did not
like to say that he had to take care of
the baby, and that his only time for
play was when his father was at home.
But rather than lose his new friend he
would tell anything.
81 have to mind the baby while
father works for u.s." he said bashfully,
pushing the dust over his little bare
feet.
"Take care of babyl I'd like to
see myself take care of baby. Where's
your mother-why don't she take care
of it?"
81 don't know, she's gone away.
She's up there" looking toward the
sky, aud the last words ended with a
flood of tears.
"Oh!" something seemed the matter
with Bennie's cart just then, and he
ratified it vigorously. "I guess you
can play with me SOM other day. Say
oh, well-good-by, Sawdust."
"Good-by," answered Johnnie, as he
turned the corner, his face beaming
with delight through his tears.
Johnnie's father was a poor man.
He had good, kind heart and loved
his motherless little children, but he
was not well, so could not earn much
money.
Johnnie was good-natured little
fellow, but sometimes he did get SO
tired taking care of the baby, particu-
larry on hot days when it was sure to
be cross. For a long time he had
wished for cart, then he might wheel
the baby to the park, where everything
was SO lovely, and beyond the smell oil
were now, the baby could not walk
and Johnnie's arms were not strong
enough to carry him so far.
Every week the money was counted
out; so much for rent, so much for fuel
and food. Johnnie liked to stand by
his fathers side while he jotted down
these items with a little blunt pencil.
The baby-such little thing, too
seemed to be the biggest expense
Johnnie could not quite understand
this, but knew that it was useless to ask
for many things that both he and the
baby wanted.
This night, however, his mind was sc
full of Bonnie and his cart, that he
prattled away about them to his father
all the evening. A cart to draw the
baby in, how nice it would bel
From that time, the key to small
closet where Johnnie kept his tools was
missing. 1t was source of great vex
alton to him, for he was working hard
on boat.
Some day, his father had said, they
might live in the country, and the boat
was in anticipation of that event. Blu
the key could not be found, and at last
another birthday came to Johnnie.
1t was later than usual when ht
awoke that morning. His father hat
gone and the baby was nowhere to bt
seen.
Johnnie started up, rubbed his eyes
wondering if he were awake or dream
ing; for there on the floor stood cart
not like Bennie's, but far more won
derful - painted all around in gayly
colored stripes, except on one side
where a circle of bright vermillior
paint enclosed the manufacturer
trademark.
The wheels were made of solid wood
bound with thin strips of tin, and there
was strong piece of wood for han
die. oh, it was truly wonderful
Where did it come from, and wha
would Bonnie say?
1t beats his all holler," he thought
Then he remembered the baby.
5000, co.," Why, wasn't that the
baby's voice?
Johnnie slipped out of bed. Their
he saw that the little closet door now
stood wide open with the key in thu
lock.
5000, co.,"
Johnnie ran to the door and looked
in. There on the floor, in his night
dress, sat the baby-in the midst O
tools, chips, and shavings, rubbing hi
,oor littla oupao aoainet a Niaoa Of har1