Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-09-30

food IN the house was put upon the table.
i Stanwood could hardly realize that he was
Denniless and without food For years he
had been gay, thoughtless and fortunate,
making the most of the present, forgetting
the past, and leaving the future to look out
for itself. Yet the truth was naked and
clear something must be done"
No sooner had the husband gone than
she put on her bonnet and shawl. Her eld-
est child was girl seven years old, and her
youngest, four. She asked her next door
nclehbor If she would take care o. her
children until noon. These children were
known 10 be good and quiet, and they were
taken cheerfully Then Mrs. Stanwood
locked up her house and went away She
returned at noon bringing some dinner for
her children, and then went away again
She got home in the evening before her
husband, carrying Il heavy basket upon her
arm.
We'll, Peter she asked, after Ter hus-
band had entered and sat down, what
luck p
''Nothingl' he groaned II made out to
squeeze dinner out of an old chum, but no
work. p"
And wi ere did you look? ?"
"O-everywhere. I've been hundred
| places, it's the same in every place 1t is
nothing but one eternal mol! I'm sick and
tired of it
But what sort of work have you offered
to do p
"Why, l even went so far as to offer to
tend liquor store.
The wife smiled.
Now what shall we do ?" uttered Peter
| spasmodically
why we Il eat supper, and then talk the
matter over
''Supper!''
Yes
But you said you had none"
Neither had we this morning, but I've
found work to day
You? You been after work ?' said he
IN surprise.
Yes"
''Butwhere?'
''Why, first [ went to Mrs Shows, I
knew her CIR! was sick, and | hoped she
might have work 20 be done. 1 went to her
and told her my story, and she set me at
work at once doing her washing. She gave
me food to bring home to the children, and
gave me three shilliugs when | got done
,he washing
What You been out washing for our
butcher : wife,,
''Of course | have, and have thereby
earned enough TO keep US in food through
the morrow, at any rate; SO to morrow you
may come home to dinner.
but the rent?'
20, have seen Mr.. Simpson, told him
just how we were situated, and offered him
my watch as pledge for the payment of
our rent within two months, with the inter
est on all arrears up to that date. told
him did the business because you were
away hunting up work. y
$50 he's got your gold watch. "
mo lie said if l would become response
bic for the payment he wodld let it rest
Then we've got a roof to cover US, and
food for to morrow. But what next? o,
Wudt Il CURSE tDGSe are
Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve I've got work enough engaged to
keep US alive. -
"Ah-eh What's that?"
"Why, Mr.. Snow has engaged me to car
~ small packages, baskets, bund es, etc, to
bis rich customers. He has had to give up
one Of his horses.
"W hat do you mean, Maria?"
just what say When Mr. Snow came
home to dinner / was there, and asked him
if he ever had light articles which he wish
ed to send around to his customers. Never
mind all that was said. He did happen to
want Just such work done, though he had
meant to cal upon some of the idlers who
lounge about the market. He promised to
give me all the work he could, and am to
be there in good season in the morning.
well, this is pretty go. Aywife turn
ed butchers boy? You won't do any such
thing"
And why not?''
why not? Because-because-
''Say because it will lower me in the so
cial scale
''Well, and so it will ~
''Then it is more honorable to lie still and
starve, and see ones children starve, too,
than to earn bread by honest work. | tell
you, Perer, if you cannot find work must
| We should have been without bread to night
| had not found work to-day. You know
that all kinds of light, agreeable work, is
seized upon by those who have parti icular
/ friends or relatives engaged in them AT
such time as this it is not for us to consid-
/ er what kind of work we will do so lo:g as
/ it is honest. o, give me the liberty OF liv-
ing upon my own deserts, and the indepen-
dence TO be governed by my own convictions
of right.
But, my wife, only think you carrying
out butchers stuff Why | would sooner
go and do it myself
''If you will go, - said the wife with q
smile, Il win stay at home and take care OF
the children