American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-08-19
The Two Cords Of Wood.

"A bright Wood-1Te ulazeo cnferiolIy In the
chimney, while from the crane the suspen-
ded teA-keule was announcing, ss loudly
as possible, that the hour for supper was
approaching. By the bright. but 6tful
light, one young girl sat reading; another
sat by The window watching the cows ss
thep walked demurely from the yard to the
stable, while boy Of eleven summers was
seated on cricket in front Of the fire, gs-
zing steadily at the flames as they shot up
ward, but with an appearance Of abstrac-
ton, indicating that his mind was else
where.
Softly Ellen advanced from the window
and touching her sister Ruth. 10 call her
attention, Just whispered, Just look at
Thomas! He's ina brown study, az the
teacher said this afternoon l do wonder
what he's thinking oiP
ASK him. responped Ruth glanoing 1t
her brother, and then tuaning to her book
again. Fi sn
Thomas called Ellen, What makes
you look SO sober to night? Did you miSs
at scbool? .,.t.,i latf 30 .toad
The boy heaved a deep sigh. and then
turned to his sister with smile, said, 30.
Ellen. you can help me, If you will. only
you must FIRST promise not to tell any one.
Ellen promised, and Thomas led her to
the further corner otthe room, as his moth
er bad come in. where be made known to
her his plan. x ~ .raa, t'a-4pQ
Last night said he. after you and Ruth
had gone to bed, heard father and II 9th
er talking. 1t made me feel so bad / could
not 90 TO sleep She had cen bringing
in the clothes and kept coughing, as she al
ways does when she works bard. Father
told her that she must 60 to taking that
Doctors stuff that done her so mu,b good
last winter. AT first she did not answer.
but pretty soon saw her put up her hand
and brush away.a tear ~ ,dDf ~
There are SO many things 10 be bought
fer the children, ! she said after q while.
that don't like to spend money for Hnedi>
cine. ! don't often cough so much" %,
| i know that too replied father. but
you must attend 10 pour health. What
should we all do without you2' stfo9 a
i sometimes think, said mother. that
my work is almost done, and if It is God s
will TO call me away. be will provide for
you and our dear children al5aa u
i couldn't 10 hear any more, for !
had to run irio the entry 10 keep from sob
hing aloud Oh Ellen what could We do
without mother? tr.s SID 1s5...
The young girl turned around and gave
her mother piercing glance. as If to sat.
isfy herself that her brother had cause Cor
his solictude. and then asked, 'but what
can yon or both Of us do to help ber?''
II mean somehow to buy her hottie Of
that medicine" exclaimed Thomas, impres.
sively," but how 10 do tits the question
DR.. Jones had load Of wood carted to
day, and he wants man to come and saw
: it. | would 60 TO morrow afternoon anC
ask him to give me the job. and the med
: icine to pay, only father wants his wooC
piled up Tomorrow before the snow
5 cones." ,i -. .G.l
ELLEN stood for one moment returning
I her brothers gaze; then said eagerly
Ruth aud will pile il for you. Well ge
up very early, and do our stint before break
: fast, and then we shall have the whole o
3 the afternoon"
Thomas joyfully accepted his offer, abr
readily oblained the job from the kind ply
4. sician. Before night he had piled the tw,
j cords in the shed, and sawed nearly
q quarter Of it,. ..''
= We'll. my little man. said the doctor
driving into the yard as Thomas wa
: hanging up the saw preparatory to leaving
i How much have you earned this after
noon?' go
j A bright thought flashed through tn
boys mind, and in true Yankee style h
answered the question by asking Doctor
how mitch bottle was the cough medi
:, cine you gave mother last wiuter?. '''
. Half dollar, l think. Is she sick d
gain?' '..' 2 -sir}t Hs. :" o. ''']
q The boy then communicated his wishes
= and asked ifhe would be satisfied to le
. him have bottle to carry home with him
4 The good man was evidently moved b
: this unexpected proposals He made n
, reply except TO invite the boy TO his Office
When there he talked more freely, and en-
Il ded by giving i'm a small powder for bi
mother. with directions for taking il, /
+" addition 70 the desired cough medicine
o and promised to call himself the next day
u An hour later Thomas SAT with his sis
l. tsrs by the Ere. and communicated to thet
= the joyful tidings Of his afternoon labor =
D They then proceeded to give the medicin
g. to their mother as a token Of affection frol
3 her three children. for said Thomas, !
could not have done il II you had nc
a belped me- e1"go e1e
y To say that Mrs. Grant was gratifst
!, - would be but feebly expressing her ems
= ton, when the love token was placed ia b,
= = hands. +.
- With moistsned eyes she gave sach !,
them a kiss. and then added in a. subdue
= = voice. God will reward you my dear one
y y The blessing affixed to the fifth commend
- :. went will be yours. for you have indss
= y honored' your mother ga 81, le 80
,Af God did bless them 10 rendering u
n medicine etie ptual in restoring the heGl
\. Of their Inotbsr. whose life was ptolohg.
4. for ysars. She saw her children CROWN
N up useful. hsppy and respected By oil vi
knew tbems--T T01ta's cd~Ycs'o".