, 1868-12-04
HELPING FATHER.

NAO"Oy NO0S uOb last iOuB uOW eHNayo1
Clarissa, said Mr.. Andrews to his wife one
evening. 1t is only week since received
my mOutbs's salary, and now I have but
little more than half of it left. bought q
cord of pine wood to-day, and tomorrow,
must pay for that suit Of clothes which
Daniel had that will be fifteen dollars
more.
'And Daniel will need pair of new shoes
in day or two those be wears now are all
ripped, and hardly fit to wear, said Mrs.
Andrews.
How fast be wears out shoes 1t seems
hardly a fortnight since bought the last
shoes for him. said the father.
20, well But then he enjoys running
about so much that l cannot check his pleasN
ure as long as it is harmless. l am sure
you would feel sorry to see the little shoes
last longer from not being used SO much,
answered the affectionate mother.
Daniel, during this conversation, was sit
ting on the floor in corner with his kitten,
trying to teach her to stand upon her hind
legs. He was apparently much occupied
with his efforts, but he heard all that bis
father and mother had said. Pretty soon
he arose, and going to his father, climbed
upon his knee, and said, Papa, do l cost
you good deal Of money
Now, Mr. Andrews was book keeper for q
manufacturing company aud his salary Was
hardly sufficient for him to live comfortably
at the rate everything was selling, owing to
the Rebellion. He had nothing to spare fol
superAuities, and bis chief enjoyment was
being at home with his wife and bov, his
books and pictures. Daniels question was
queer one, but his father replied as cor
rectly as he could.
Whatever money you may cost me, my
son, l do not regret it, for l know it adds tC
your comfort and enjoyment. To be sure
your papa does not have a great deal o
money, but he wonld be poor indeed with
out his little Daniel
How much will my suit of clothes cost 7
asked Daniel.
Fifteen dollars, was the reply.
'And how much for my shoes 2
Two dollars more, perhaps said hi
father.
That will make seventeen dollars. wisl
could work and make some money for you
father said Daniel.
20, well, my son, don't think about tina
now. If YOU are a good boy, and study wei
Mr.. Andrews.
Daniel said no more, but he determined
to try and see if he could not help to pay
for the clothes his father was so kind as t.
buy him. An opportunity soon occurred
That very afternoon the load of wood which
his father bought came, and was thrown Of
close to the cellar door. 1t was "Wednesday
and there was no school. 'Now l can saw
father some money thought Daniel; anC
he ran into the house to ask his mother i
he could put the wood into the cellar.
L am afraid it is too heavy work for you
my son. said his mother.
4 think | can do it, mother. The WOOD
lies close to the cellar door, and all 1 vii
have to do is to pitch it right down. replied
Daniel.
very well, you may try it; but if yor
find it too hard you must give it up, and LEI
Tim Rooney put it in said his mother.
Daniel danced away, and went first to the
cellar, where he unlocked the trap door snC
opened it, and climbed out into the yarc
where the sticks OF wood lay in a grea
heap. At first it was good fun to send the
sticks clattering one on top of the othel
down into the cellar, but pretty soon it grew
tedious, and Daniel began to think that ht
had rather do something else. Just then
George Flyson came into the yard aud asked
Daniel if he wasn't going to fish for smell
that day.
1 guess not. This wood must go in, and
then it will be too late to go so far this after
noon, replied Daniel.
%, let the wood slide We have got
some round to our house that ought to go 10,
but l shan't do it. Father may hire a man
to do such work. Come, old Rooney will
be glad of that job said George.
NO, am going to do this before anything
else, said Daniel, as be picked up big stick
and sent it scooting down the cellar<way.
'Did your old man make you do it, asked
Flyson.
'Who ? queried Daniel, so sharply that the
boy saw his error, and corrected his form Of
questiOu'
Did your father make you do this job p
No; be does not know I am doing it;
and, by the way, George Flyson, don't call
my father old man. If you do not know any
better than to treat your father disrespect,
fully, you sha'n't treat mine 80, answered
Daniel.
'Ho ! Seems TO me you are getting mighty
pious all of sudden. Guess I'll have to be
going. I'm not good enough for you.'-
aud with sneering look, George vent of.
The wood pile down the cellar grew larg'
er, until the wood pile in the yard was all
gone then Daniel brushed his clothes, and
started of to find his playmates and have a
game of baseball, de felt very happy, for
he had earned something for a kind father
who was always earning something for him ;
and the thoughts of this much pleased him.
He felt happier still when his father came
home to supper and said while at the table.
My wood did not come, did it, mothsrE |
told the man to send it up this afternoon,