St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-05-15
CHILDREN'S STORY.
Gerald and His Giant

the centre bowl full of hot-house fruit,
peaches, pears, great punches of white
and dusky grapes. At the side of the
table boy of six in velvet suit, with
name OF yellow "love-locks" falling over
his shoulders, looking wistfully at the
fruit. He reaches forward he breaks off
a bunch of grapes.
They're papa's grapes" he says half
aloud "He always gives me his things"
Then he Grams the fruit into his mouth.
eating very fast; and, in spite of his
brave words he is careful to conceal the
seeds OF the grapes he devours in the
palm OF the other hand. Thus conscience
doth make towards of us ali.
This small stealer of grapes was Gerald
Ashley, the son of an English army Off
Ger, who had left the army when some
one died and left him fortune, and had
come to live as country gentleman on
the estate of Cleave Hall.
Gerald did not recolect India very
clearly, because he was but two years
old when he left it /; but he was quite sure
that he loved England best. And indeed,
Cleave Hall was the very sort of home
for boy to be happy in, so big and
roomy, with park lull of old oaks and
a garden full of old roses, and such nice
bridle-paths among the trees to ride
ponies on, and stable where rabbits
and guinea-pigs were not only allowed
but encouraged. Any boy could be
happy in place like that, and Gerald
was very happy He liked it all; and he
liked being the only boy, and in conse-
quence petted and cossetted by every
one.
There was one exception. Col. Ashley
did not pet Gerald. He was, on the
contrary, rather grave and peremptory
with him, though always kind and /
think it showed what a fine little fellow
Gerald was at bottom that he loved his
father best OF all. He would do almost
anything to win word of praise from
him, for he admired him immensely. He
was so brave and splendid. He had
sword which he had worn in battles.
Gerald was sometimes allowed to hold it
in his hand, and that was indeed a proud
moment for him. He passionately
desired to be approved by his father. So
you may imagine how he felt when, as
he popped the last grape into his mouth
and turned to 60 into the drawing room
with the seeds squeezed tight in his hot
little hand, a rather stern voice de-
manded: What have you there, Gerald?
What are you eating?"
Grapes, papa"
Gerald's cheeks were very red, hut he
made no attempt to evade the truth
where did you get them ~
81 took them off the table," replied
Gerald, his checks growing still redder.
Did you have leave to do so from any
one?"
Gerald began to feel quite miserable.
"No, papa" he said in low voice.
"Oh, you stole them
There was scornful tone in the quiet
voice which cut Gerald to the heart.
"Papa-ndeed, indeed-I didn't.
never meant they were your grapes,
thought"
Mine? Yes; but did you ask my leave
to take them ?"
Gerald did not reply. A lump had
come in his throat He felt very much
like crying.
Nov, Gerald" said Col. Ashley,
sitting down and drawing the child
closer to him, ''let us talk this matter
over. We are trends, you and l, are we
not?
20, papa-yes, yes"
The little voice was choky.
"You know how we have talked very
often about what bravery consists OF,
and how fine it is to be brave. Now, to
be brave, one must begin with little
things, and learn how gradually. No
boy ever has giants heads to cut off in
these days, If he wants to grow up into
brave man, he must educate himself by
fighting with small things which are the
same to him,-tempers, temptations,
little faults, and conquering them one by
one. When you took those grapes you
lost your little battle"
Papa, Inever thought of that only,
| only-thought of the grapes"
"Yet-but all the same you were
beaten 1t is mean and i'll. And to steal
things-even very little things-a gentle
man and brave man will not do it.
Remember this, Gerald"
81 will,-indeed l will" protested
Gerald, with energy. 1t seemed at the
moment quite easy to resist temptation.
But, four nights after this, Col, Ashley,
coming home earlier than usual, saw
little figure slipping in through the din.
ing room door. His face grew dark,
but he followed and stood in the shadow
of a screen to watch what should take
place. Very slowly the little feet went
across the room toward the table The