Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-10-08
THE BROKEN saw.

A boy went to live with man who was
accounted hard master. He never kept
his boys; they ran away, or gave notice
they meant to quit; so he was half his time
without or in search Of boy. The work
was not hard-opcning and sweeping out
the shop, chopping wood, going errands, and
helping round AT last Sam Fisher went
to live with him. "Sam's good boy" said
bis mother. ~ should like to see bov
nowadays that had spark Of goodness in
him." growled the new master
1t is always bad to begin with a man that
has no confidence in you; because, do your
bost, you arc likely to have little credit for
it. However Sam thought he would try (;
the wages were good, and his mother want
ed him to 60. Sam had been there but
two or three DAYS, before, in saving a cross
grained stick of wood, he broke the saw
He was little frightened He knew he
was careful, and he knew he was a pretty
good sawyer, too, for boy of his age; nov
ertheess, the saw broke in his hands.
"And Mr.. Jones will thrash you for it,"
said another boy who was in the wood
house with him "Why, Of course l did MT
mean to, and accidents will happen to the
best of folks" said Sam, looking with a very
sorry air on tho broken saw. "Mr Jones
never makes allowances" said the other
boy; 81 never saw anything like him.
That Bill might have siaid, only ho jump
en- into hens nest and broke her eggs
He daren't tell of it, but Mr.. Jones kept
suspecting, and suspeciing, and laid every
thing out Of tho way to Bill, whether Bill
was to blame or not, till Bill couldn't stand
it and Douldn't" "Did he tell Mr.. Jones
about the eggsl" asked Sam. "No," said
the boy; "he was 'fraid to. Mr.. Jones S
got such temper" 81 think he'd bet
ter own square up" said Sam. 81 reckon
you will find it easier to preach than to prac-
tice," said the boy. "rd run away before
I'd tell him;" and he soon turned on his
heel and left poor Sam alone with his bro
ken saw.
1t was after supper and he was not like
ly to see Mr.. Jones that night. The shop
was Shut and his master had gone to some
town meeting. Tho next morning he
would get up early, go into the wood house,
and sec what was done, for Sam would never
hide the saw.
The boy did not feel very comfortable or
happy. He shut up the wood-housc, walk
ed out into the garden, and then went up
to his little chamber under tho caves. He
wished he could tell Mrs. Jones; but she
was mt sociable, and he had rather not
ooh, my God,' said SAM falling on his
knees, help me to do the thing that is
right" Sam had always SAID his prayers,
but he had not put his whole heart into his
prayers as he did that night; that night he
prayed.
I do not know what time it was, but
when Mr.. Jones came into the house the boy
heard him. He got up, crcpt down stairs,
and met Mr.. Jones in tho kitchen. 'Sir,"
said Sam, 81 broke your saw, and thought
I'd come and tell you fore you saw it in
the mornin." "What did you get up to
tell me forl" asked Mr.. Jones; 81 should
think morning would be time enough to
tell me of your carlossncss." because"
said Sam, 81 was afraid if l put it off
might bo tempted to lie about it. I'm sor-
ry broke it, but I tryed to be careful"
Mr.. Jones looked at the boy from head to
foot, then stretching out his hand, "There
SAM" he said heartily, "give me your hand.
Shake hands. I'll trust YOU, Sam. That's
right; that's right. Go to bed, boy. New
cr fear. I'm glad the saw broke; it shows
the mettle s in you. Go to bed"
Mr.. Jones was fairly won. Never were
better friends after that than Sam and hO.
Sam thinks justice has not been done Mr..
Jones. If the boys had treated him honest
ly and "above- board" he would have been
Ia good man to live with. 1t was their con-
duct which soured and made him suspicious.
| do not know how that is; only know
that Sam Fisher finds in Mr.. Jones kind
master and faithful friend ChRds Pa
per.