Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-23
PARIS, MAINE, FRIDAY

last quarter. Money gone TO McBiides
instead of to the landlord-ch
The man WINGED little.
"IIow are the babies ?" he asked.
"Fhst.rate," Wheaton answered, and
with n smile so real that his icllow-work
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went Oh, and 10 the surprise OF
all, Wheaton's circumstances kept i'm.
proving. The babies had brought n.
blessing TO his house. In less than
eighteen months he had paid off the light
mortgage that for years rested on his little
home and not only this. had improved
il in various ways, even to the putting up
of n small addition, so rs to give them
neat breakfast room.
The children grew linely-thcre were
three Of them now, for their hearts and
home had opened to another orphan baby,
and, being carefully trained by Mrs.
Wheaton, were n light and JOY to the
house.
At tho end Of five years we will intro
ducc them briefly to the reader. Wheat
on is master workman. and employs
ten men. He has enlarged his house, and
made it one OF the ncatest in the village.
Among his men is the very one who
bantered him most about the children,
and prophesied that he would soon be
sold out 10y the constable. Poor man! II
was not long before the constable had
him in charge. Hehad wasted his money
at McBridc's, instead OF paying it to The
landlord
Walking homcward one evening after
work was over. Wheaton aud bis journey
man took the same way. They were ST.
lent until they came near the iormers'
pretty dwelling, when the journeyman
said, half in jest. yet with undissuIscd
bitterness-"I guess well have TO take q
baby OF two"
why" asked Wheaton, not pcrceiv.
ing what was in the mans thoughts.
"For good luck. said The journeyman.
OH
you've had nothing but good luck
since you took poor Mrs. Grants orphan
children"
"Only such good luck as every one
may have if he will" answered Wheaton
II can't sec it, returned The man.
Your wages were no better than mine
/ had one child and you saddlcd yourself
with two. and not long after added
third. And how is it to. dny3 You have
nice house. and your wife and children
are well dressed. while | have never
been able to make both ends meet, and
nv boy looks like ragamuifin half tho
time
do you see that house over there-tlc
largest and the handsomest in the place.
said Wheaton.
Yes
"Who owns il ?"
Jimmy Mcbride"
"IIow much did you pay toward build.
Ing it?"
"Me?"-in surprise,
"Yes. you? How much did you pay
toward building i''"
"Why, nothing. Why should help
pay for his houseP"
Sure enough, Why should your hard
earnings go to buildaud furnish an elegant
house for man who would rather sell
liquor. aud SO ruin his ncighbors, body
and soul, than support himself in u useful
calling, as you and are trying to do?'
IL can't see what you're driving al! F"
said the journeyman.
How much n week do you spend n
McBride's saloun?"
The man stood still, with blank look
on his face.
"A dollar week." asked Wheaton.
YES"
"Say dollar and half"
"Well, say rs much"
"Do You know what that amounts 10
in year,"
Never counted it up
"Sevcnty-eight dollars"
"Nol"
Yes, to dollar. So, in five years at
this rate, you have contributed nearly
four hundred dollars toward McBride's
handsome house, without getting any
thing but harm in return, and havn't
shingle over your head that you can call
your own. Now it's my advice, in a
friendly way, that you stop helping Nc
Bride. and begin to help yourself. He's
comfortable enough. and can do without
your dollar and hall a week. Take Il
baby. fyou will. for good luck. You'll
find one over at the poor-house il won't
cost you half as much as helping Mcbride,
and don't think he needs your aid any
longer. But hero we are at home, and |
sec wife and children waiting for me.
Come in, won't you?"
"No. thank you. I'll 60 home und talk
to Ellen about taking baby for good
luck And he tried to smile, but it was
anything butin cheerful way. He pass
ed onward, but called back after going Il
few steps:
'If you sec anything of my Jack about
your place. just send him home, will you?'
Jack was there, meanly dressed anil