The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-11-22
THE BEST FUN.

SOh pauiouS, w llO lau assembled on q Deau-
tiful moonlight evening, for sliding,
snow. balling, and fun generally.
"How?" "WhereY' "What is it?'
asked several eager voices all at once.
" L heard widow M tell man little
while ago." replied Freddie, that she
would go over and sit up with sick
child tonight. She said she would be
over about eight o'clock. Now, as soon
as she is gone, let's go and make big
snow man on her door step, so that when
she comes back in the morning, she can
not get into her house, without first knock
ing him over.
"Capital," First-rate," "Hoora, 4"
shouted some of the boys"
" See here" said Charlie N, "I'll
tell you the best fun"
What is it?" again inquired several
voices at once.
Wait a while," said Charlie, "Who's
got wood d-saw?"
6" L have" T" So have II And T."
answered three of the boys But what
in the world do you want wood-saw
for?"
"You shall see," replied Charlie
1t is almost eight o'clock now, SO 60
and get your saws. You, Freddie and
Nathan, get each an axe, and L will get
shovel. Let US all be back here in fifteen
minutes, and then I'll show you the fun"
The boys separated to go on their sew
eral errands, each wondering what the
fun could be, and what possible use could
be made of wood-saws and axes in their
nlo Inf M ,1,
favorite with them ALL but also an ac-
knowledged leader, and they fully be-
lieved in him and his promise. Their
curiosity gave elasticity to their steps,
and they were soon assembled.
"Now," said Charlie, " Mrs NJ is
gone, for l met her when l was coming
back, so let's be off at once"
" But what are you going to do?" in
quired several impatient members Of the
party.
You shall see directly" replied the
leader, as they approached the humble
residence of Mrs. NJ.
Now, boys" said Charlie, you see
that pile of wood; a man hauled it here
this afternoon, and heard Mrs NJ tell
him unless she got some one to saw it to-
night, she should have hardly anything
to make fire of in the morning. Now
We can saw and split that pile of wood
just about as easy as We could build
great snow man, and when Mrs. NJ
comes home from her watching, she will
be full as much surprised to find her wood
sawed, as she would to find a snow man
on her doorsteps, and great deal more
IL hoA
Will you do it?"
One or two of the boys rather demur-
red at first. They didn't like to saw wood,
they said. But the majority were in ia
vor of Charley's project, SO they finally
joined In, and went to work with a will.
"I'll go around to the back OF the
she'd" said Charlie, and crawl though
the window and unfasten the door. Then
we'll take turns in saving, splitting and
carrying in wood; and l want to pile it
up real nice, and to shovel all the snow
away from the door; and good wide
path, too, from the door to the street =
won't it be fun, W hen she comes home
and sees it?"
The boys began to appreciate the fun,
for they felt that they were doing a good
deed, and individually experienced that
self satisfaction and Joy which always re-
suit from well doing.
1t was not a long or wearisome job for
seven robust and healthy boys, to saw,
split and pile up the poor widows
half cord of wood, and to shovel good
path And when it was done, so great
was their pleasure and satisfaction, that
one of the boys who objected to work at
first, proposed that they should 60 to
neighboring carpenters shop : where
plenty of shavings could be had for the
carrying away-and each bring an arm
full of kindling wood. The proposition
was readily acccded to, and this done,
they repaired to their several homes, all
Of them more than satisfied with the
fun" of the evening. And next morn
ing, when the weary widow returned from
watching by the sick-bed, and saw what
was done, she rdS pleasantly surprised;
and afterwards, when neighbor, who had
unobserved witnessed the labors of the
boys, told how it was done, her fervent
invocation" God bless the boys" of it.
self, if they could but have heard it, was
an abundant reward for their labors.
All, boys and girls, the best funj al
ways found in doing something that is
kind and useful This is the deliberate
opinion of a gray headed old man; but if
you doubt it in the least, just try it for
yourselves, and be convinced.
/ a gljrhE Mistake.