Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-03-21

food TO bring home to my children, and paid
me three shillings when got through
'What-you been out washing for our
butchers wife ? said Peter, looking very
much surprised.
sOf course l have and earned enough to
keep us in food through tomorrow, at any
rate; so tomorrow you may come home to
dinner
But how about the rentP
%, l have seen Mr.. Simpson; told him
Just how we were situated, and offered him
my watch as pledge to the payment of
our rent within two months with interest on
a1Tearages up to that date. told him did
the business because you were away hunting
work.
so he's got your gold watch?
'No-he wouldn't take it. He said if /
would become responcible for the rent, he
would let it rest
Then we have got roof to cover us, and
food for tomorrow. But what next? What
a curse these hard times arep
Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve; I've got work enough engaged to
keep us alive
'Ah-what is that?
why, Mr.. Snow has engaged me to car
ry small packages, baskets bundles and so
forth to his rich customers. He has had to
give up one of his horses
what do you mean, NariaP
Just what l say. When Mr.. Snow came
home to dinner, l was there, and asked him
if he ever had light articles which he wished
to send round to his customers. Never
mind all that was said. He did happen to
want Just such work done, though he had
meant to call upon the idlers that lounge
about the market. He promised to give me
all the work he could, and Pm to be there
in good season in the morning.
Well, this is a pretty go. My wife turned
butchers boy! You will not do any such
thing
And why not!'
'Because-because-'
Say because it Will lower me in the social
circle
We'll, so it WILL
Then it IS more honorable to lay still and
see ones children starve, too, than to earn
honest bread by honest work I tell you,
Peter, if YOU cannot find work must We
should have been without bread tonight,
had not I found work to-day You know
that all kinds of light agreeable business are
seized upon by those who have particular
friends and engaged for them. At such
time as this it is not for us to consider what
lind &c ,,orI- $40 vii 10 60 I.,cr n, - -
honest. Oh, give me the liberty of living
upon my own deserts and the independence
to be governed by my own convictions of
right
But my wife only think-you carrying
our butchers stuff. Why, l would sooner
90 and do it myself.'
If you will 90, said the wife with a smile,
4 will stay at home and take care of the
children
1t was hard for Peter Stanwood, but the
more he thought upon the matter the more
he saw the justice and right of the path in
to which his wife thus led him. Before he
went to bed, he promised that he would goI
to the butchers in the morning,
And Peter Stanwood went upon his new
business. Mr.. Snow greeted him warmly;
praised his faithful wife, and then sent him
of with two baskets, one to Mrs. Smiths
and the other to Mrs. Dixalrs. And the
new carrier worked all day, and when it,
came night he had earned ninety-sevenI
cents. 1t had been day of trials, but no
one snecred at him, and all his aequaintan-
ces whom he met greeted him the same as
usual. He was far happier now than he
was when he went home the night before,
for now he was independent.
On the next day he earned over dollar;
and thus he continued to work for a week,
at the end of which he had five dollars and
cents in his pocket, besides hav-
ing paid for all the food for his family, save
some few pieces of meat Snow had given
them. Saturday evening he met Mark
Leeds, another binder, who had been dis
charged from work with himself Leeds
looked careworn and rusty.
How goes itp asked Peter.
Don't ask me- groaned Mark. MY fam
lily are half starved
But can't you find anything to doP
Nothing
Have you triedP
Everywhere; but it's DO use. 1 have
pawned all my clothes save those l have on.
I've been to the bindery to-day, and what
do you suppose he offered meP
'What was it?
why, he offered to let me do his hand
carting! He had just turned his niger
for drunkenness, and offered me his place
The old curmudgeon! had great mind
to pitch him into the hand-cart and run him
TO the ="
WELL said Peter, if 1 had been in your
place l should have taken up with the offer
Mark mentioned the name of the same
individual again.
why resumed Peter, 4 have been do
irg the work of butchers boy for whole
week
Mark was incredulous, but his companion
him, and then they separated,
one going home happy and contentcd, and
the other going away from home to find
some sort of excitement in which to drown
bis misery.
One day Peter had basket OF provisions
10 carry to Mr.. W. 1t was his former !
employer. He took the load upor his arm, ]
and started of, and Just as he was entering !
he 1-or1 Of Fbo o,,eF o,r,or "a ,,,at Mr. w ,