Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-09-28
Gales 5 shste9es.
LOST IN A GREAT CITY.

and my three-year old baby--a mighty fine
! boy--is nick-named Toddler.
! Misfortuncs, which is not necessary to
specify, have forced me TO work at a salary
of seventy-fve dollars per month to support
this family, whom hold dcarer than any.
thing else on earth.
| At the time of my loss, or rather the
latter part of April, /, with the other
clerks, labored early and late, day and
night, the season of trade being unusually
active, to which was added our prepara-
tions for removing on the first of May to
the new store of the firm. Business kept
me jumping all the time. l swallowed my
breakfast in a few mouthfuls, in order to
be in time at the store. lived so far
away, over two miles, that couldn't go
to dinner.
Of,entimes / went without my supper,
reaching home at eleven O'Clock at night.
Consequently only saw Toddler TO speak
to him on Sundays, and my wife perhaps
an hour or two day.
No wonder she was lonesome and given
to imaginngs of the worst kind as to my
condition of body, tancying HE dead or
mutilatcd, the victim of some dire calami-
ty, whenever | failed to come home at the
usual time. All in all, it was dogs life;
but what can n fellow do when he's as poor
as an ccclesiastic mouse.
One night Lefty asked abruptly as i en-
tered:
"Seen DIR. Craven to-day, Tim ?"
No" was my answer, "it's not the first
of the month";,
But he's been here. Our rent is to be
raised ten dollars n month from the first of
May" and she drew back as if the better
to study my face under the effect of the an
nouncement. Then, as L was silent, she
burst out with:
We'll stay, of course. Well live and
work for him, instead of ourselves and the
baby"
81 can't get away from the store to hunt
house.n
Leave it to me. I'll get one nearer the
store, cheaper rent, and a newer building.
1t can be done. I'll do it if you'll let me-"
"All right. L prophesy tears for your
trouble.n
mot more than if we stay. You don't
realize what we have to endure, with no
one but Toddy to amuse me.'
''5e more social with your neighbors,n
suggested.
MY neighbors !" scornfully. 'That's
just like man. Do you know who are
our ncighbors OF course not. A pros
porous, Wholesale washer-woman on one
side, and dilapidated old quack doctor
and his mummiticd wife on the other in
front, parade ground for geese. Visitors
none-savc that insurance solicitor, who
seems to come only when you spend an
evening at home, and so spoil my happi-
ness with his figures. 7 believe he watches
for you. And his wife-what a dowdy. /
shall die if have to stay"
DO as you like, but the time is short. l
wish l could 90"
Hush not word. I'll be glad to do
it, you good old man. I'll begin in the
morning."
The next evening was lucky enough to
reach home by nine o'clock, and get kiss
and a hug from fodder, mapping in his
mothers arms. lie had been enjoying life
with Widow Martins little girl next door,
and SO his dissipation kept him awake
longer than usual.
~ have seen one cottage that think
VIII please YOU" began my wife. 'lt's
about mile from your store, and we've
been living two miles away, YOU know.n
"lorse cars or bus to it 20
"That's the trouble. There are neither
of these at present. You must walk"
Cant do it.n
1T will do you good. Walking is a
healthy EXERCISE
Can't help it-l'vc corns."
Cut them !" speaking with sharp deci-
sion. what are corns compared with
health and happiness"
And the shade trees, and yard and
neighborheod ?" were my next interroga-
tories.
"Shade trees currant bush Yard
large enough for Il cord of wood, sawbuck
anu a man to saw and the ncighbOrhOOd
quiet and moral, being near small cemc-
terry. knew you would not like the place.
III search again Tomorrow
That's right. Don't despair. Get the
boy a yard that shall be large enough to
tan his hide-by the sun, of course"
Timothy How can you talk so about
your darIingr Suppose we should lose
fodder.
We'll not suppose it. Try again Lefty.
Perhaps you'll run into an atom of Eden
that will come within the limits of our
Spinnerless treasury. We must leave here,
as the doctor has rented it. So he told me
to-day. Here's the morning paper. Let's
see what places want tenants
In half an hour she had II list of places
to see the next day. We must find some
thing or live in the street, which would be
unpleasant, though economical.
1t was settled the next night. | knew
by her smiles. A lovely cottage situated
so, with two poplars in front, large back
yard large enough to hold our weeks wash
ing on the line half mile walk, with
'busses, cars, and all the modern improve
ments."
"lIobson's choice, my DEAR" was my
comment.
THE best we can get for our money, l
think" she replied.
That settled it. The next day would be
the first of May, according TO calendars and
landlords. My wife kindly volunteered to
superintend the moving, as l should be
busy all day and night ut the store trans
ferring goods.
Get the most honest and weakes. look
ing expressman you can find, and then
flee To move successfully, my dear, is an
act more difficult than to win battle"
sin theory, Tim, for you" said Lefty.
"For you, tomorrow, il will be prac-
tice.n
A look of grim resolve came over her
face, and felt that we were already half
moved. L signed the lease, and then we
went into different rooms together, that l
might say, or look goodbye.
"We have been happy here" whispered
my wife.
"We shall not leave the dormant echo of