Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-14

more foolish wasting OF money no spend
ing of evenings at McBride's."
80 John :" In her surprise and delight
sho could only repeat the exclamation.
As she did this, she rose, and putting
her hands on his shoulders, bent and
kissed him on the forehead.
You'll take the babies ?n said he.
Yes, and twenty more, if you keep to
this and say so," answered Jane, laughing
through tears.
'All right, then, it's bargain" And
Mr.. Wheaton caught his wife hand and
shook it by way of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton turned over a
new leaf. Neighbors expressed surprise
when it was told that Jane Wheaton had
adopted the two orphan children. Fellow
workmen taunted John, calling him soft
hearted, and fool, for ..taking other
mems brats." 70
Ohe said to him, ''are four mouths easi-
er to fill than twop" sn
Another, you'll be sick ofthis before the
year is out"
And another, '''I'll see you sold out by
the constable in less than six months"
But John had little to say in reply-only
maintaining an air of quiet good humor,
and exhibiting more interest in his work.
For three weeks John Wheaton had not
lost a day-something very unusual; and
not one evening during that time had he
spent at McBride's drinking saloon. His
poor little home, which had come to have
a neglected look, was putting on new
appearance. The gate that tor four months
had hobbled on one hinge, now swung
smoothly, and the mended latch held It
shut. Rank weeds no longer filed the
dooryard; the broken steps were mended
and clean panes of glass filled many
place in the sashes where had been un-
slightly rags and sheets Of paper. A neg
lected running rose was trimmed and
trained to its proper place over the door
way, and was now pushing out young
green leaves and buds. sa ss1
Within, pleasant changes were also ap-
parent. Various new but inexpensive
articles of furniture were to be found.
Old things were merded, polished up, and
wonderfully improved. aa
With all this, marvellous to relate,
Wheaton's earnings had not only been
equal to the increased expenditure, but
there was an actual surplus of ten dollars
in hand.
81 never would have believed it, said
John, as he and his wife sat one evening
talking over their improved condition,
| II
their own-were asleep. sits Just as old
Brown used to say-.Waste takes more
than want declare I've got heart in me
again. l thought we should have to let
the place go; that I'd never be able to pay
off the mortgage. But hear we are, ten
dollars ahead in less than month; and
going on at this rate, we'll have all clear
in eighteen months"
i Next day fellow workman said to
Wheaton half in banter, Didn't see the
constable down your way yesterday"
Il shouldn't WONDER" replied Wheaton
with more gravity of manner than his
questioner had expected.
81 thought saw him looking around
after things, and counting his fees on his
fingers"
.'Likely as not" replied Wheaton. 81
know of good many rents not paid up
/. last quarter. Money gone to McBride's
instead of to the landlord-eh e",
The man WINGED a little
''How are the babies ?n he asked.
First rate," Wheaton answered, and
with a smile SO real that his fellow-work-
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went on, and, to the surprise of
all, Wheatons circumstances kept i'm
proving. The babies had brought a bless
ing to his house, In less than eighteen
months he had paid off the light mortgage
that tor years rested on his little home :;
and not only this, had improved it in va
rious ways, even to the putting up of a
small addition, SO as to give them a neat
breakfast room.
The children grew finely-there We're
three of them now, for their hearts and
. home had opened to another orphan baby
, and, being carefully trained by Mrs.
Wheaton, were a light and joy to the
: house.
At the end of five years we will intro
duce them briefly to the reader. Wheaton
is u master workman, and employs ten
Q men. He has enlarged his house and
made it one of the neatest in the village.
: Among his men is the very one who BAN
tered him most about the children, and
prophesied that he would soon be sold out
g by the constables. Poor man it was not
? long before constable had him in charge.
He had wasted his money at McBride's
5 instead of paying it to the landlord.
} Walking homeward one evening after
work was over. Wheaton and his jour-
neyman took the same way. They were
silent until they came near the formers
pretty dwelling, when the journeyman
said, half in jest, yet with undisguised Bit
terness,
i guess We'll have to take baby or
two.'
why asked Wheaton, not perceiying
what was in the mans thought.
For good luck said the journeyman.
'Ohr
} 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.
Il can't see it, returned the man. Your
wages were no better than mine. had
one child and you saddled yourself with
) two, and not long after added third. And
how is it to-day You have a nice house,
, and your wife and children are well
dressed, while l have never been able to
make both ends meet, and my boy looks
like a ragamuffin half the time
. DO you see that house over there--the
largest and handsomest i'm the place p