Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-08
VOLUME XXVI.

necessary conveniences of luxury, such as
knives and forks, siop-basins, and the like.
were dispensed with. Each one as he fin
ished his cup of tea turned round and threw
the dregs upon the heap of Goals, and when
he had fiished picking his herring, turned
the other way and flung the bones into the
fire. After the meal, Mr. Beadle was accus-
toned to sit opposite old Daddy, while Mar
tina drew mp between them, and devoted
herself to the mending of the family linen
but as the number of chairs was limited,
the younger branches of the family usually
recined in the classic fashion, among the
Goals, from contact with which they deriv-
ed swarthiness of complexion which caus-
ed them to be known in the neighborhood
as the 'back Beadles" John and Martha
loved their offsprings dearly and would not
have anything happen to one of them for
the world ; but they began to find that
they were increasing both in numbers and
in appetite in ratio altogether dispropor-
tionate to the development of the trade in
Goals and vegetables, Notwithstanding that
the rolling stock had been increased by
new truck and a second bed-wrench Johns
ambition had often taken a run at horse
and cart but it had never been able to
vault so high, and always fell back upon
the truck and hurt itself in the region of
its dignity. A truck is not glorious kind
Of vehicle--espeCially a coal truck. 1t ia
vehicle that takes the pavement rather than
the middle of the road, for choice, and al
though the thunder which it makes as it
traverses the coal-traps ON the pavement is
considerable, it is not a source of pride to
its owner. Besides, it does not warrant
the assumption of that sceptre of authority,
a whip and it is usually propelled by one
of the human species Well, it would new
er do if we all had the same ambiton.--
While some persons aspire to rule their fell
low-men, there are others who prefer to ex-
ercise authority over the brutes in driving a
horse and cart. This was Johns case A
horse and cart with corresponding increase
Of business, and drive down the road of
the Jolly Butchers on Sunday afternoon,
with the missus in all her best by his side,
and the kids with their faces washed be-
hind like pen of clean little p;gs--this
had been the dream of Johns life but it
was a dream that had not yet come true
Indeed, so far from this, Johns prospects
were becoming darker rather than brighter
every day.
" W hat was to be done =
This question, which had long suggested
itself both to John and Martha found audi
bic expression one night, after the black
Beadles had scampered away to their holes
for the nipht Old Daddy Dodd was sitting
doing in his chair by the side of the fire,
and John and Martha were sitting oppo-
site.
1t was John who propounded the ques-
ton
What was to be done ?"
Martha made no audible reply ; but af-
ter pause, raised her eyes to Johns face,
and then looked across significantly at Dad
dy Dodd.
John shook his head and covered his face
with his hands.
" ! have no right to ask you to do it any
longer, John,' Martha said a had no
right ever to expect you to do it."
" But it was my duty and my pleasure to
do it, Martha" John replied Hes your
father, and | couldn't see the poor old man
starve !"
d" But he needn't tarre, you know, john"
Martha said and her lips trembed as she
said the words.
al know wIrat you mean," John return
not what ought to be, when he's had a
house of his own and drove his own ebay,
and paid rates and taxes, and every COM
fort"
"Well it is hard when you think of it,"
Martha replied sadly "and the drawing
room that we had, too, and the silver spoons,
and the real china cups and saucers " And
at the thought Of the china cups and sau-
GERS Martha dropped tear
Yes, it is hard" John returned "and
that's why have stood between him and 1t
as long as | could"
But you can't stand between him and 1t
any longer, John, and mustn't ask you to;
it's not fair to you, John, and you shan't be
burdened with him any longer"
Poor old Daddy was sitting doing in his
chair, blissfully unconscious of these delib-
erations, of which he was the subject In
his time Daddy had been in a good though
small way Of business, in the carpentering
line, combined with a little undertaking
(Which he undertook in his overtime, to
oblige friends), and he had brought up a
large family decently; but his sons, who
might have been help to him in his de-
clining years, emgrated, and died i'll for
eign parts and when the infirmities of age
began to creep npon the old man, and he
was no longer able to work with his own
hands, he disposed of his business at an
alarming sacrifice, and retired to live on
his means. His means were small, but his
remaining years were few ard proceeding
on his philosophical calculation, Daddy liv-
ed upon the principal instead of the inter-
est (Which he could not have lived upon at
/ all, and lived longer than he calculated
Although Daddy disposed of his business,
and let the carpenters shop, he still contin-
ued to occupy the dwelling-house Of which
it formed part, and thus led many to be-
lieve that the old carpenter was pretty well
of His daughter Martha shared in this
impression, and was rather disposed to
boast of the Independent gentleman, her
father, and cherish expectations of an in
hcritanCe.
One day, about two years after Martha
had been married to John BeadIe and short.
ly after she had prodigally presented John
with the second pledge of her Affection old
/ Daddy arrived at the emporium suffused
with smiles. Martha thought he was go.
ing to present baby with the silver spoons
/ When the old man had settled himself in a
/ chair and recovered his breath he said