The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-15
voI u-NO. SO. WHOLE NO. 80.
THE COBBLER'S TEMPTATIOS

Jareb Gropp sat in his little shop upon
his little low bench, and he pegged and tap
ped away merrily upon his we'll known knees
lie was jolly fellow, this Jareb. Poor.
'tis true, but just poor enough to be free
from care. He owned the rooted box in
which he worked, and so he owned the lit
tie matched cot joining it. In the cot he
lived with his wife and seven children, and
in the shop he worked cheerfully all the day
long. He was not afraid Of robbers, for he
had nothing worth carrying off; and he
feared no man, for he never did man a
wrong.
A merry fellow was Jareb Gropp. lie
sang as he pegged, and his joyous notes
lacked only musical sound to make them at
tractive. He was built after the same pat
tern Il. were his cot and shop. He was
short and dumry, with round, shiny, good
natured face, and with bald pate, though
he was five and forty years old.
"Troll- de-rol- de- ol-lardo o'sang Jareb.
"Fol- roll -de-riddie- de-rinctom p'--
sounded a voice from the inner door.
Jareb looked up and saw his wife.
just a match for Jareb, for all the world.
Short, fat, clean, good-natured and happy
rs n queen. She was dressed neatly for all
her poverty, and the flush of health glowed
upon her plump checks.
"Duck,'' said Jareb, "the likes o. this
never happened before" -,
"What is it, my own sugar plum asked
Hepsebath.
IIepscbath was her name, though she
hadn't heard it pronounced in full for years
"D'ye see this shoe, delight :"
eyes, my love.'
",Tis the last work in the castle. Not
another place to put a peg have got by
me. Wen shut the gates, lower the draw
bridge, put the wardcr on guard, and call
out our coach, eh!"
eye mean, we'll go and walk, pepper
mint"
"Shall put on my silk, or satin ? or my
new velvet 20
"Put on all of them, my dear. We'll
make an appearance. Hi-fol de-rol de- RI
do! There (tap) that's the last peg, and
old Smiths shoes are done. Smiih-SmiHs
didn't you ever feel thankful your name
warn't Smith. Happy, eh? There was a
Smith put in Jail last week for robbin' some
body. But yc never heard tell Of a Crops
bein' put in Jail, never. Now my maple
sugar, we'll be off. Bring up the little
Grorpses."
Hardly had 1Ieppy departed, when a man
made an appearance at the shop door: lie
was an old man, very we'll dressed i'll black
throughout, carrying a gold headed cane,
and wearing watch chain Of the same
precious MATERIAL
".,re you cobbler z" he asked as he en-
tered.
81 was two minutes ago, sir bat I'm an
old fcudal baron now, sir Lady Gropp is
going to ride oGt, sir, and I'm to attend
her,
"Eh-are YOU the man that does mending !
boots and shoes :" asked the visitor. NOV
ing back pace, as though he feared the
strange fellow before him was crazy.
"Ies, SIR" answered Jareb. "'m the
man. But, ye see, my wife hasn't walked
ont for more'n month. just tossed of
the last bit of work had in the shop. I'd
hurried it amazingly, and was just agoin' to
take run down by the river with her and
the little ones"
"Aha-I sees said the old gentleman,
smiling. "Now YOU just run and tell your
lady to wait for you half an hour, and III
satisfy her forit. | am in hurry. The
stage leaves in an hour, and my boots are
given out. Come, YOU won't refuse to as
s!st me under such circumstances :"
"IIi dunn dc-fol-lol! Well, l s'roso |
must stick to my business -
Thus speaking, Jareb left tho shop, and
when he returned he put on his apron again
and settled into his low seat. The old man
took off his cloak and sat down, and the cob
bier pulled off the fractured boot. 1t was
ripped badly. Jareb made him stou,
waxcd-end, singing merrily the while, and
when twas ready he took up the boot.
"Iou seem to be a happy fellow" re-
marked the visitor, after he had watched
Jareb's good natured face awhile.
"Why shouldn't | be? | owe no man
anything-have my health-and love to dc
my work. Tol-dc-rol-lo lol de- lardo."
"You've laid 10y something, suppose
for rainy day." pursued the stranger.
SAY, thousands upon thousands of dol,
lars, sir!' cried Jureb, giving his awl d
furious punch.
"What so much as that ~
ella! Id like to show en- to ye, sir. only
they might have dirty faces. Seven of en-,
sir! Seven of the best natured children ye
ever saw, sir, and stout and rugged too"
".Ah! meant to ask you if you had no,
managed to lay by a little money my good
man. You seem steady and INDUSTRIOUS
"Money y repeated Jarcb. with a comical
lrrr. "DoeS a man lay by money when he's
building himself houses and gardens No
sir. Nor does man lay by money when
he makes half crown a day and rcnrs
seven children. Them lectle'uns will take
care Of me when am old, never fear. No,
No.