Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-04-07

old Saint Peter, who, as YOU all know,
goes about seeing what folks are donh,
if they are good and kind, giving them
his blessing, If they are doing i'll, teach-
ing them lesson. And nobody knows
when he comes for he is always in some
disguise.
SO Grandam never mistrusted; she
looked at the old man with closed eyes,
and he seemed so feeble and weary, she
muttered to herself, as she was used to
do having nobody but herself to talk to,
Il must bake him a nice little cake; a
nice little cake"
She put the pan over the fire and
dropped in a spoonful of batter just
enought to make a very little cake which
she thought was large enough to give
away. for if I must tell it, Grandam
Pecker was what folk called near"
The batter bubbled and pufed and
swelled and spread, and swelled and
spread. ooh, OH" exclaimed Grandan
under her breath, this is as big as the
cake make for myself I must bake an
other"
So she dropped into the pan half a
spoonful of batter. And it bubhled and
puffed, and swelled and spread, and
spread until it was almost as big as the
other ore. "Oh, OH" cried Grandam
this is much too big to give away"
she took another look at the old man
with closed eyes: she had begun to re-
pent Of her generosity, ana had half a
mind not to give him any cake. but his
head had dropped on his breast and he
looked so sad and ill., she decided to try
once more; she took a third Of a spoonful
Of batter and dropped it i'm the pan.
And it spread ana spread. and swelled
and swelled until it was two thirds the
size of the last.
Dear, dear. cried Grandam, Il shall
waste all my meal and have to eat cold
cakes all nf
old man. who for aught I know may"
Grandam had reached for her bowl Of
batter but dropped it in alright. 1t fell
on the stone hearth and era cked into two
pieces, and the batter ran out into the
ashes, and she forgot to be angry.
This is what frightened her: The old
| man had suddenly opened his eyes and
| leaped to his feet very straight and tall
| The tatters disappeared, and there stood
| st. Peter, the fire flashing from his eyes
and his finger pointing a her. Grandam
| quaked with fear, and stood covering be-
| fore him
| His voice was very sorrowfu when he
| spoke. your heart has grown small
| and black" he said, chat when l look,
see only a dark hole in the place where it
| ought to be. You are not fit to dwell
| among Gods children. Nainly have I sent
my messengers to soften your heart: 1t
| has grown smaller and smaller. Tonight
| was your last chance. Now | am going
| to give you a body small enough to ft
| your poor little heart You have pecked
around for yourself all your life. and have
| cared for no other; now ! will give you
chance to peck for yourself so long as
| you will"
Grandam fell in heap of rags and
| bones beside her broken bowl. trembling
and grooming. "Out with you." said st.
Peter. land peck for your living"
| And out of the heap of rags and bones
| 40 ird Nnttarad al no
| in alright, and then flew up the chimney.
When the bird came out at the top OF
| the chimney, the SCOT had smothered it,
| the flames had scorched it. 1t flew swiftly
| away to the woods, a very black bird
| with a scarlet turf on the crown of its
head.
The next morning the woodchoppers
| heard 1t pecking at the bark of tree,
| and cried out-"See that red headed
| wood pecker." And there you will find