Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-04-03
upon his purse, even when work was plen-

gain tomorrow Tor work. L Ou may hnC
something to do. Anything that is homes
is honorable. Should you make but shil
ling day, we should not starve.'
Trust to me for that. The landlord
shall not turn us out. If you will engage
to find something to do, will see that We
have house room?'
'I'll make one more trial., uttered Peter
despairingly.
But you must go prepared to do any
thing
Anything reasonable, Maria
What do you call reasonable?'
'Why-anything decent
The wife felt inclined to smile, but the
matter was 100 serious for that, and cloud
passed over her face. She knew her hus
bands dispositions, and she felt sure he
would find no work. She knew he would
look for some kind of work which would
not lower him in the social scale, as he had
once or twice expressed it, However, she
knew it would be of no use to say anything
to him now, and she let the matter pass.
On the following morning, the last bl
Of food in the house was put upon the ia.
BILE. Stanwood could hardly realize that
he was penniless and without food. Fol
years he had been gay, thoughtless, and
fortunate, making the most of the present
forgetting the past. and leaving the future
to take care of itself Yet the truth was
naked ard clear; and when he left the house
he said
Something must be DONE
IL al. ~
Mrs. Stanwood put on her bonnet and
shawl. Her eldest child was girl sever
years old, and her youngest four. She
asked her next door neightor if she would
take care of her children until noon.-
These children were known to be good and
quiet, and they were taken cheerfully-
Then Mrs. Stanwood locked up her house
ard went away. She returned at noon
bringing some dinner for her children, anJ
then she went away again. She came
home III the evening before her husband
carrying heavy basket on her arm.
We'll, Peter, she asked, after her hus
band had entered and sat down, 'wha
luck?'
Nothing! nothingp he groaned 1 made
out to get dinner from an old chum, but
l could not find work
And where have you looked to -dav?'
'O-everywhere. I've been to hund
red places, but. but it's the same story ev.
cry place. It's nothing but one eterna
no, no. I'm sick and tired of it,
What have you offered to do?'
why, even went so far as to offer tc
tend liquor store down town.
The wife smiled.
spasmodically.
Why, We will eat supper first, and talk
the the matter over
Supper! Have you got any?'
Yes, plenty of it.
But you told me you had none.'
Neither had we this morning, but I've
been after work to-day, and found some
You! You been after work. uttered
the husband in surprise.
Yes
But how-where-what?'
why, first | went to Mrs Shows.
knew her girl was sick, and 1 hoped she
might have work to be done. | went to
her and told her my story, and she set me
at work at once doing ber washing. She
gave me food to bring home to my children,
and paid me three shillings when l gol
through
'What-you been washing for our
butchers wife, said Peter, looking very
much surprised.
of course l have, and have thereby
earned enough to keep us in food through
tomorrow, at any rate so tomorrow you
may come home to dinner
But how about the rest
'Oh, l have seen Mr.. Simpson, told him
Just how we were situated, and offered him
my watch as pledge for the payment of
our rent within two months, with the in
terest on arrcarages up to date. l told him
did the business because you were away
hunting up work
SO he's get your gold watch?'
NO, he wouldn't take it. He said if
would become responsible for the rent, he
would let it rest
Then we've got a roof to cover us, and
food for tomorrow. But what next?-
What curse these times arep
'Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve. I've got work enough to keep
us alive
'Ah-what is that?'
why, Mr.. Snow has engaged me to car
ry small packages, baskets, bundles, &c,
to his rich customers. He has had to give
up one Of his horses
What do you mean. Maria?'
: just what say. When Mr.. Snow came
home to dinner, was there, and asked
him if he ever had light articles which he
wished to send around 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 | am
to be there in good season tomorrow
morning.
We'll, this is 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 So
cial scale
/ We'll; SO it will