Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-04-27
A JOB OF WOOD-SAWING.

/" It's no joking natter. Mr.. Allaire."
said Jemima PeUdexter. a'l so.1-rL ,..
"Of course it isn't, Jemima" said Mr..
Allaire, rather more soberly than he had
spoken before. "Butif You come to that,
isn't it deal jollier, and just - cheap, 70
laugh as to cryw @ rissr
Miss Jemims Pendexter was . tall;
blooming brunette, with jdark brown eyes,
hair satin black, and good healthy bloom
on either cheek, asaher. grs..siusAsa
dress fitted her as perfectly as,if Broad
way modiste had cut and made it. Ferdi-
nand Allaire was handsome young fellow
of some five or six and twenty, whose dark
sparkling eyes sent out roguish CLEANS
from beneath pair of arched brows, aud
whose teeth were as white as q fresh cut
slice of cocoa nut.
"But mother wants the money" per.
sisted Miss Pendexter.
mot half so badly as I do, Jermima."
"It's too bad" pouted Jemima.
$50 it is. But really, Jemima don't
you suppose l would pay her in minute,
if I had the money? If For TN not
magician whose word can turn basket of
scrap paper to bank notes, or make coined
gold out Of the ciuders under the CRATE"
That's nonsense !" said Miss Pende <
ter. .. -...
"Of course it is. Sense is at a discount
just ut present. Look at the pile of man.
uscript, if you don't believe me, that no
editor will buy; see those elegant oil
paintings that De Bcaudin declines re.
spec,fully to hang up for sale What's
fellow to do"
"At least" said Jemima, tossing her
handsome head, "you ought to pay your
honest debts.'
II know that, my DEAR" said Mr.. ALL
aire gravely. "And I've written at least
seven earnestly entreatins letters to my
hard. .hearted old uncle, and of the seven
answers that ought to have come back, the
drst one hasn't made its appearance. Je-
NINA, I've an idea ~
"Pshaw (" said Miss Pendexter, trying
in vain to maintain the severe gravity Of
aspect that was rapidly thawiug beneath
the merry sparkle Of the sloe-black eyes.
"But I have, really. Suppose you take
me in part payment Of my bill to Mrs.
Pcudexter. believe l have the elements
of frst-rate husband about me-"
Miss Jcmima turued resolutely away.
"Mr. Al!aire, l believe you'd joke if
you were upon your dying bed"
And she went down stairs.
GA man might do worse than marry
Jemima Pendexter," said Mr.. AlIaire
medi,a lively. "She's pretty, and she's
spirited; and as for her mother keeping a
boarding. house, that's no particular objec-
tion in my eyes.--Halloo! What's that
commotion outsidc!" afft E"
He threw up the window-sash aud
stretched himself halfway out. Mrs.
Peudexter, . stout thrifty matrou. iu
frilled cap and lilac ribbons, was bargain
ing with q ragged itinerant Of the gypsy
order to have load Of wood which had
just been deposited at her door, sawed and
split and slowed into the cellar.
"Couldn't do it for less than four dol
lars, mem," said the Bohemian of the
steets. %
cit isn't worth threew cried Mrs.
Pendexter. .,....e..
Worst kind o'knotty wood, men,"
1 won't give cent more than three" /"
persisted Mrs. Pendexter. ....,-t,-.,.. II
"Very we'll, it'll Le to somebody besides
me-" said the man, shouldsriug his axe
and passing iudifferently on. 4t iF T.
He supposed that Mrs. Peudcxtcr would
call him back aud accede to bis terms, but
he was mistaken in the buxom widows
mental calibre. She was turning 10 doors
again, when, to her surprise, she found
herself confronting Mr.. Ferdinand Allairs
in his shirt sleeves. .,.... ......, 4'..
I'm your man ma'sm r said he, rub.
bing his white palms briskly together.
"My goodness gracious !" CALCULATED
tho widow, "what do you mean, Mr.. Al
lire ?" a eoAbr --.ur4l ...giT
"Imean that little job Of wood. wing, =
said our hero. "Bring on your axe and
saw. I'll do it for three dollars, and turn
il on toward our small account. Nov
then, ma'am, wide awake, il you please ~
Butt beg your pardon, Mr.. Allaire,
If you please-you're gentleman ~
Verv we'll. what of that !? Ia there