Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-05-03
That Awful vVOOdpiie.

nal AWBui w OoupiIc.
Coming home from school one day,
says a gentleman, a large pile of
wood lay before our little back door.
There's work for you. BILL" said
Ned Blake, the boy who was with me.
Your father had better do as my father
docs. hire man to get it in; it is too
much for boy, mother says, and it
will take the whole of Wednesday
afternoon; you will have no time to
play. Now, Bill, would not do that,
| tell you"
This was the substance of Ned's
talk as we stood before the woodpile.
and the more he said, the higher it
grew; by the time he left me | began
to think myself a poorly used boy in
deed.
There is work for you, Willie"
said mother, as | sidled into the kitch-
en-; "did you mind that beautiful
wood at the gate as you came in?"
81 reckon / did," ! muttered to
myself, but said nothing aloud. only
asking how father did. lie was sick
and had been for many months, and
the family funds / now knew were
becoming low. at is "A monstrous
pile" l at length said, getting a
glimpse at it from the window.
so much the better for us, Willie.
said mother chccrfuly; "a long winter
is before us, you know
Dinner was soon ready; the table
spread in the little kitchen. and father
was helped out from an adjoining
room 10y his two little daughters. one
on each side. Father and mother sat
down to our frugal meal with thank
full hearts, | am sure: the girls chatted
as usual, while sat brooding over
the lawful woodpile." | am afraid
my chief dish was dish of pouts
Father asked me several questions,
bat took no part in the pleasan,
tablc-talk.
"WeIl, my boy" said father. after
dinner, "therc's that wood to he go,
in; no school this afternoon, so yor
have time @ ough; you had better dc
it the first thing" ut will take tn,
whole afternoon" | said coldly; 9Th,
boys are going nutting." / was no
sure OF this, but any thing in the wa,
of an objection to the wood.
My father said nothing. Dear
dear father; God forgive me 70
wounding his feelings. Mother"
said. following her out into the pantry
Ned Blake's father hires his wooC
drawn; his mother thinks it is to,
much for boy to do. Why don
father hire?'
'Ah.' said my mother sadly, eth
Blakes are very differently of from us
your poor father'-tears came in he
, eyes, she stopped Mary ran in wher
we were. and i, half ashamed of my
self, escaped ont the back door,
Still Ned Blakc's words ranked j
me, and l thought it was too bad
nor did the brisk west wind blow O
). the flames of the foolish grumblinq
which made coward Of me. / sa
down on the wood-block with m
hands in my pockets, and shuflled m
feet among the chips in sour discor
r. tent. at is such monstrous wood
: pile" i said to myself dozen times
Presently ont came mother.
Jumped up. "Willie. / would TAX
right hold of the work now-yon wi
soon get it in, she said cheerfully.
at is so monstrous, mother"
}. said in a self-pitying tone; it wi
take me for ever, and, and half Xxi
me into the bargain
"For ever is a long. long while,
she said; come let us look at the pill
1t is big. but all you have to do is
take stick at time. that wont hu
A you, Willie. / am sure; only one site
at time will make that pile wants
quicker than you think for. Will
Try it now"
There was kindness and vet 4
/, cision in my mothers tones whic
were irresistible. She could put eve
hard things. or what we::thought har,
? in very achicvable light. Only oil
stick at time" / cried. jumping 4
and following her; really the pi
seemed already to lesson under tn
. new mode Of attack. "Only one site
at time;" that seemed easy enoug
One stick at time, What was Il
/, need Of man to do that?. 90
stick at time;' if Ned Blake cou
not do that. he was poor tool. A
I'd and a poor tool he proved to be-
My mother had got my me,tle II
and boldly went to work.
Father said i. boiling into Z
house at later hour in the afternoo
R all in a glow, "father please tell I
what time it is?"
Eight minutes after three ar