Lewisburg chronicle, and the West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1849-1849, 1849-11-21
FERGUS.
BY JACOB ABBOTT.

Ii was stormy afternoon in January
but the interior OF the rude workshop l.
which We must first inr roduce our readers
presented very cheerful appearance
There was vast fireplace in one side oi it'll
which was bnzing fire, made OF chips
ends of boards and shavings. though ih'
space between the jams was so wide tha
the snow flakes we're descending on eacf
side of the FIRE, down the straeh', shor
chimney. A boy Of twelve years Of age
with calm, intellectual looking face, wa,
sitting on a block. in the corner, at work
upon little hand-sled. One window o
the shop looked of upon wild ores, scene
ry. and the olher across a neat, sheltered
little farm yard to small house opposite.
Al this second window wa. a work bench,
with variety Of tools upon and near. it,
short thick man was seated at this bench,
upon three legged stool, inien, upoo some
wheel work. The snow was bearing ssainst
the window, and the wind moaned in the
chimney.
Father said the boy, after both Rad
been working some ,iure in silence. ="
don'i believe you vii get the clock done Al,
SIX to-nigh',-bu, hen j; is 80 stormy, Mr..
James will moi come after I;.''
:" II was Tomorrow, child, tina, | was to
have it DONE"
Why. is no, this Thursday!'
mo, it is wednesday" -l--..
"Oh -" said the boy, and wen. Oh
Then, fa,her.' said the boy again,
after little pause, why are you hurrying
SO 10 get il done ,o-nigh. There s all.
Tomorrow"
al don't know about Tomorrow | am
afraid little Benny may be very sick to-
morrow, and shall want TO stay with him
| wish you would go in und see whether
he is asleep"
"WelI iaiher,-ii you will just let me
bore this hoie.'
The father assenied by silence, und the
boy planted bis centre BIZ, and slowly car
ried the b,t stock round ard round, until
the curious instrument had cut its wav
through hs looked Tor a mon.cut with
evident satisfaction at the SMOOTH: clean
hole, and then, laying down his work,
bounded out of the shop.
In a few minutes the shop door opened
again, but instead OF Fergus. there entered
woman of middle sge.-his mother and
as she stood a. the door. shaking and
brushing off the snow, heu hushsnd looked
up II momen, from his work and said,
" Well wife. how is Benny!"
The spectator. in comparing the two
faces now turned towards one another,
would have been struck with remarkable
difference between them. The wife was
siender.-her hair and eye dark, and her
countensnce was strongly expressive Of
thought and feeling. The husband was
short. thick set, with round placid face.
indicative of good humor and content,
though there was decided expression OF
anxiety upon II as he inquired aiIer Benny.
In fact there was solicitude in both coun-
,enances, and yet :here was a contrast
On the mothers face anxiety seemed to be
at home. 1t harmonised with the whole
cast and character Of the features. o., the
fathers it appeared to be stranger. Il
had obtained temporary and unnatural
possession. The look of contentment aud
happiness seemed rightly TO belong there.
In a word, there was a difference in
temperament. Christian principle taught
them both the duty Of resignation and con.
tent, but the mother found it very difficult,
10 keep pace with the father in the practice
Of them.
But TO return 10 the dialogue -" How
is Benny, wifev' said the workman, look.
ing towards her as she sicod a, the door.
20 George, he is getting very sick -
he moans all the time, aud keeps calling for
drink
As she said this she walked towards
him, and stood by his side. leaning her
elbow on the bench, and her cheek on her
hand. ...
i" Do you think Fergus could get across
the pond. and back before dark g she
asked. st
She was thinking Of his going ior the
doctor, who lived on the OF her side Of q
pond which spread itself out in the valley
tseose :hc h0use.