North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-23

: at once doing her washing. She gave m
food to bring home for the children, an
!, paid me three shillings when I 20
through"
, "What you been out washing for ou
: butchers wife?' said Peter, looking YER,
much surprised.
"Of course l have, and thereby earned
enough to keep US in food through to
morrow, at any rate; so to morrow yot
may come home to dinner"
"But how about the rent?'
, "Oh, l have seen Mr.Sinpson, and told
him just nov we were situated, and offer.
ed him my watch as pledge for the pay.
ment Of the rent within TIVE months, with
interest on all arrears up to that date.
told him did the business because you
were away hunting for work.
$50 he's got your gold watch?''
"No-he wouldn't take it. He said if
would become responsible for the paymen,
he would let it rest.r
"Then we have got roof to cover us
and food for tomorrow. But what next
Oh, what curse these hard times are p
"Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve. l have got work enough engaged
to keep US alive"
"Ah-sh what is it?'
"Why, Mr.. Snow has engaged me to
carry small packages, baskets bundles and
so forth; to his rich customers. lie has
had to give up one of his horses"
"What do you mean, Maria? %
"Just what I say. When Mr.. Snow
came home to his dinner, was there, and
l asked him if he ever had any light ar,i
cles which he wished to send round to
customers. Never mind all he said. lie
did happen to want just such work done,
though he ment to cali upon some Of the
idlers who lounge about the market. lie
promised to give me all the work he could,
and am to be there in good season in the
morning."
"Well, that is pretty go! my wife
turned butchers boy! You won't do any
such thing"
"And why not?''
"Why not Because--because-
"Say because it will lower you in 80.
cial SCALE
swell, and so it will
''Then it is more honorable to lie still
and starve. and see ones children starve
too, than to earn honest bread by honest
work. tell you, Peter, if you cannot
work must. We should have no bread
to night had I not found work to day.
You know that all kinds Of light, agrees
BILE business are seized upon by those who
have particular friends and relatives en-
gagged in them. At such time as this, it
is not for us to consider the kind of work
we shall do. so long as it is honest. Oh
give mo the liberty Of living upon my
own deserts, and the independence to be
governed by my own convictions of
right
But, my wife, only think--you carry
ing our butchers stuff! Why, would
SC ,ner 60 and do it myself"
'Jf you will 60" said the wife with
smile, II will stay at home and take care
of the children
1t was hard for Peter Stanwocd; but
the more he thought about the matter the
more he saw the justice and right Of tl.s
path into which his wife thus led him.
Before he went to bed he promised his
wife that be wovld go to the butchers in
the morning.
And Peter Stanwood went upon his
new business. Mr. Snow greeted him
warmly, praising his faithful wife, and
then sent him with two baskets, one to 20
to Mr.. Smiths, and one to Mr.. Dixars.
And the new carrier worked all day, and
when it came night he had earned just
ninety-seven cents. None had sneered at
him, and his acquaintances whom he had
met had greeted him as usual. He was
far happier than when he went home the
night before, for now he was independent.
On tho next day he earned just dollar,
and thus he continued to work and at the
end of it he had Eve dollars and seventy
Eve cents in his pocket, besides having
paid for all the food for his family, save
some few pieces of meat Mr.. Snow had
given him. On Saturday evening he met
Mr.. Leeds, another binder, who had been
discharged from work with himself.
Leeds looked careworn and rusty.
"How goes it ?'' asked Peter.
Don't ask me," groaned Mark. my
family are half starved"
"But can't you find anything to do?"
Nothing
"Have you tried?''
Everywhere but it's no use. have
pawned all my clothes save these l have
on. have been down to the bindcry to
day, and what do you think the old man
offered me p
"What was ?''
"Why, he offered to let me do his cart.
ing! He had just tsrned of his niger
for drunkenness. and offered me the place!
BY the powers, l had great mind to pitch
him into the hand cart and run him TO
the ---'
Mark mentioned the name Of an indi-
vidual who is supposed to dwell some
where in region somewhat warmer ,hau
our tropics.
'Well," said Peter, ''if had been in
your place, should have taken up with