Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-09-23
THE PATCHWORK BOY.

: !
and Phil Dudman started with low, re-
sentful whistle, for the house HE
couldn't have; but there's no one else
here"
Phil Dudman had come to Granville
for the summer: and it was a splendid
place In which to spend ones vacation
the large stock farm of his uncle Thorn
| ton.
IF possible, teach him to work." Judge
! Dudman had written to his brother, at
his suggestion that Phil summer on the
| farm. Hes strong and muscular; II will
DO MIN good to have some regular tasks
! You'll probably find It necessary to keep
at him If he accomplishes anything. His
greatest fault is in leaving things half
done. But he's willing and is capable
Of doing a good deal-if you can only
keep him at it,"
| Thornton Dudman had got more than
the bare statement in his brothers con-
cisely worded letter-he had read between
the lines.
Lewis didn't say it-not in SO many
words-but it's there, nevertheless"
glancing hurriedly over the contents. Its
Is as plain as printing: Pills little
| careless and hasn't much stick Nv
ness. But then" Thornton Dudman slow
ly folded UP the letter. "in time he'll
lose the one and gain the other. Phil
| Dudman is good boy stock. and most any
boy stock is worth investing thought and
dends, only let it mature"
Phil had been At the farm now two
weeks. and during that time his uncle
had taken particular notice that while
Phil was eager to undertake many odd
jobs around the place each enc had been
left unfnished-there hadn't been an ex-
ception
I'D like to measure out the grain for
the cows tonight" suggested Phil one
evening after supper, going to the barn
where two of his uncles men were doing
the milking.
IAN right! the grain is in the second
bin-the one TO the left OF the door The
boxes they eet from you will find at the
farther end of the barn floor. Be sure
not to give them too much"
Yes. sir and Phil went about his
work. never fo~ n moment forgetting his
merry whistle.
lie had measured out the grain in six
boxes when he suddenly dropped the
quart he held in his hand.
Aunt Rachel wanted the eggs. had
better get them before dark"
Leaving the grain bin uncovered. phil
ran up the ladder hand over hand to the
NOW above. ard It was there that
he overheard oae Of the men as he finish
ed filling the grain BOXES: III he isn't
a patchwork boy, I never saw one"
Patchwork boy-what did he mean?"
Phil stopped whstling and took the
eggs into the kitchen where Aunt Rachel
was doing the supper dishes
Patchwork boy? Why. Phil patchwork
boy? I'm sure l don't know"
Rachel hasn't seen Phil at work tn
last two weels, thought Unc,e Thorn
ton from behind his newspa per The
sitting room door was slightly ajar IF
she had. perhaps she could tell"
Thornton Dudman was silent 4 NOM
ment.
1T isl doubt If I'd a thought of it
pretty appropriate name"
He took out of his coat pocket a small
memorandum book.
IN keep record tomorrow 1t may
be just what I'm hoping fora cure for
Pills woeful lack of application"
They were almost through breakfast
his uncle.
DO you know, Uncle Thornton, what
a patchwork boy is?"
A patchwork boy? I think So Why do !
you ask?"
"Because-is there one around here?"
II shouldn't be a bit surprised, think
I've seen evidences of one lately" laying
down his napkin.
'Thcn-do you s'pose"-
TN tell you what I'll do Phil" evas-
lively. I'm observe a strict watch today,
and If he's around I'll keep him to sup
per and introduce him to you Would
you like me top
lawfully! Can I speak to him?"
Certainly: if he's about-and Judge
he will be. -
And he surely was, as was evidenced by
Uncle Thornton's carefully-kept memo
randum.
Phil came down to supper with his hair
neatly brushed: he was evidently ex-
pecting to find company in the sitting
room. But he was disappointed on open
ing the sitting room door to find his I'M
Gle alone.
s'Didn't the M tcbuorlr how oo,,,o o,o,,,,1
Uncle rhornton?"
Yes indeed, but before I introduce
him Phil l want you to come over and
see what have got in my memorandum"
Phil stepped over to the window where
his uncle was sitting in an easy chair.
Here Phil, listen" and Uncle Thorn
ton began slowly to read
Sent to get box OF wood for the
kitchen stove-got an armful."
ASKED to take some water to men in
the field. Left it on front steps-for-
got"
Began to weed the cucumber bed
too hot to finish; only two hills left
Moved three times around the lawn
left mower right in ward for somebody
to carry away"
Wanted to white out pin for churn
gave it up without finishing"
Started in to"
did he begin to do all those"
Listen" And Uncle Thornton con-
tinued-
Started in to hang up his clothes
left coat and vest lying on floor"
Promised to kindle fire to get supper
with-Aunt Rachel was obliged to go out
and bring in chips"
Began to"
o."
Uncle Thornton looked up. There were
tears in Phirs eyes.
Then there isn't any patchwork boy
you were just fooling?'
'None?" Uncle Thornton took Phirs
hand questionly.
None only-for I did all OF those
things. II didn't know till you got to
Aunt Rachel"
Then there is patchwork"
Eyes, ! suppose I'm he, and I've been
introduced TO myself. l never knew it be-
fore; but I've been the patchwork boy
all the time
Phil was silent a moment.
Lets not invite him to supper-the
patchwork boy Uncle Thornton Let's
not have him around"
He was so earnest Uncle Thornton
looked up.
But"
mo; I'll do every one OF my chores
hafnra / m