Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-01-25

ton, unless you are peri, city willing" said
the stranger.
Ask your question: said Cults, ''and 1
will not repeat 1t.
well, Mr.. Cuts, am laying fence on
that Brisley place that We jest bought; and
was directed to inquire of you where L could
buy cedar posts. A fellow in the store said
Cults viii tell you if his wife will let him;
but she won t, she'll insist on telling you
herself. and perhaps Offer TO drive with you
wherever you go to order them.
Il told them | would see you and ask you
only; and the young fellows bet on 1t. They
are 20 give you ten dollars, and two or three
widows in town a cord of wood each, it L
and making sure your wife won't know my
business until after breakfast tomorrow
morning"
Cults knew his wife's standing too well to
feel very sensitive, aud taking the bill from
the stranger. he smiled and said
I'll go with you to look out cedar posts
and keep dark. for the jokes sake; but L
don know As she Il let me stay in the house
to night for don't own it, replied the
good natuled Cuts.
Suppose you go up to my place and see
to setting the posts. | will send a boy to
tell her you had to go off suddenly on lit
tie business, and will be back in rhe morn
ing said the stranger.
''I'll do that, replied Cuts, for new
er quarrel with her, but let her have her own
way. | don t want to worry myself about
trifies. ?"
Good man." said the stranger, there
are no trifes in life. The smallest act is im-
portant, and this easy good nature of yours
will ruin your family. Battle that spirit to.
4 iax, knx-
to the house of God. whatever she says and
be real man-at the bead OF your own
house and family
1T is rather late to begin" said Cuts.
shaking his head in way that would have
warned others from the trap in which his feet
were fast. You see that the purse is hers,
he added, ''and that has been a crueiler fet-
ter than her will TO me. But | will try to
begin anew, for her good as well as the chill
dreu' 5.
The boy was sent with the message, but
the boy was not sharp enough. Ma AIN Cults
discovered the whereabouts Of her lord, tack
led up aud went after him!
All the way home aud tar into the night
she used her ci0quence, both IN p.eadlngs,
TO fad the mysterious e5rand of that hate
ful town naOob that had come into the town
to separate happy families.
spirit for the night and no measures could
induce him to talk on any subject, lest she
should pry the mis hty secret out of him.
About midnight she wore herself out and
went 10 sleep; but 4, break of day she be-
gan again. He then yenturcd to say, ''as
soon j. breakf fast Is over, Ii break the news
to vou.
You Il never eat morsel in my house |
can tell you,' cried Yantippo, It'll you've
told ms what that ere man wanted of YOU.
Then you Ii wait good while TO hear
it. said Cuts, for / vowed | d never tell
it Till had first ea,en my breakfast - and
with these words he went out.
Ma'am Cuts endured the torture as long
as pos, Tile, aud then got breakfast. She
called to the door to no one in particular,
Come T.
But Cults didn't come. And after
while she went out to the barn aud found
him seated on an upiurned half bushel meas
ure, calmly peeing and eating raw turnip.
1T does seem aS It this here man had
possessed you - she cried. Il never saw
you 80 seit-wiiled afore since | took you
home Your breakfasts all eoolin' do
come IMP
Here was point gained.
Cuts went in a. requested, and ate his
breakfast, When this was over. ma ain set
tied herself back IN her chair, with her face
full oi eager expectation, aad said:
Nov begin. What did that ere man
want 2"
''Iie wanted some cedar posts" replied
Cut,s, calmly, without looking up, land
that was all |"
If an arrow had struck Ma am Cuts, she
could not have manifested more surprise and
shame.
IN the laughing stock of this town"
ldded'Cutts, land from this hour | turn
over new leaf HIn henceforth head Of my
+amily, and unless this house il made mine,
shall finish of a room in the barn-whch
IS mine-and you will be welcome TO share
t with me If not I'll live there with the
Boys, and you will fnd me u civil neigh5or."
Ma am Cuts power was broken. Since
hen the farm has been called John Cuts
place, and he is the head of the house.