Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-03-15
SELECTED STORY
A JOB OF WOOD SAVING.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

It's no joking matter, Mr.. Allaire,"
| said Jemima Pendexter.
"Of course it isn't, Jemima," said Mr..
Allaire, rather more soberly than he had
spoken before. .'But if you come to that,
isn't it a deal %jollier, and just as cheap, to
laugh as to cryw
Miss Jemima Pendexter was a tall, bloom
ing brunette, with dark brown eyes, hair
satin black, and a good healthy bloom on
either cheek, and her green gingham dress
fitted her as perfectly as if a Broadway
modiste had cut and made it. Ferdinand
Allaire was a handsome young fellow Of
some five or six and twenty, whose dark
sparkling eyes sent out roguish CLEANS from
beneath a pair of arched brows, and whose
teeth were as white as a fresh cut slice of
cocoa-nut.
..But mother wants the money" persis-
ted Miss Pendexter.
HNot half SO badly as l do, Jemima."
'sIt's too bad" pouted Jemima.
$50 it is. But really, Jemima, don't
you suppose I would pay her in a minute,
if I had the money ? #. For I'm not a ma
gician whose word can turn a basket Of
scrap paper to bank-notes, or make coined
gold out Of the cinders under the CRATE"
: tsTbat,s nonsense 70 said Miss Pendexter.
..Of course it is. Sense is at a discount
Just at present. Look at the pile Of manu-.
script, if you don't believe me, that no edi-
tor will buy ; see those elegant oil paintings
that De Beaudin declines respectfully to hang
IN for sale What's a fellow to do"
CAT least" said Jemima, tossing her
handsome head, ''you ought to pay your
honest debts"
II know that, my DEAR" said Mr.. Allaire
prayely. "And I've written at least seven
earnestly entreating letters to my hard
hearted old uncle, and of the seven answers
that ought to have come back. the first one
hasn't made its appearance. Jemima, I've
an idea"
..Pshaw !" said Miss Pendexter, trying
IN vain to maintain the severe gravity of as
pect that was rapidly tbawing beneath the
merry sparkle of the sloe-black eyes.
..But / have, really. Suppose you take
ne IN part payment of my bill to Mrs. Pen
dexter. I believe ! have the elements of .
first rate husband about me-"
Miss Jemima turned resolutely away.
s.Mr. Allaire, I believe you'd joke if you
we're upon your dying bed
And she went down stairs.
"A mar might do worse than marry Jemi.
ma Pendexter,' said Mr. Allaire meditatiye-
ly. "She's pretty, and she's spirited /; and
as fer her mother keeping a clearinghouse,
that's no particular objection in my eyes
Halloo what's that commotion outside J"
He threw up the window.sas and stretch
ed himself halfway out. Mrs. Pendexter.
a stout, thrifty matron. in frilled cap and
lilac ribbons, was bargaining with a ragged
itineraut of the gypsy order to have a load Of
wood which had just been deposited at her
door, saved and split and slowed into the
cellar.
"Couldn't do it for less than four dollars
mem" said the Bohemian Of the streets.
ssIt isn't worth three !" cried Mrs. Pen
dexter.
"Worst kind o knotty wood, men,"
II won't give a cent more than three
persisted Mrs. PendeXter,
Very we'll, it'll be to somebody beside!
me-" said the man, shouldering his axe and
passing indiferently on. :.
He supposed that Mrs. Pendexter would
call him back and accede to his terms, bu
he was mistaken in the buxom Widows men
tai .cal;bre. She was turning indoor
again, when, to her surprise, she found her
self confronting Mr., Ferdinand Allalre Il
his shirt sleeves.
"pm your man, ma'am p said he, rub
bing his white palms briskly together.
.'My goodness gracious !" CALCULATED TO .
widow, "what do you mean, Mr.. Allaire Z
II mean that little job Of ood-saWlng,
said our hero. Bring on your age AM
} saw. I'll do it for three dollars, and turI
| it in toward our small account, Now then
ma'am, wide awake, if you please
"But-I beg your pardon, Mr.. AlIalre
if you pleass-you're 3 gentleman
Very well, what of that ? Is there any
thing to prevent a gentleman splitting up
cord of wood? A great deal more strength
ening to the muscles Of the arm thar dumt
bells and Indian CLUBS, I am sure"
"Are you really in earnest
eyes, / am"
l And then Mrs. Pendexter, seeing no res
son why she should not realize a portion 8
least Of the back board for the third-stor
, hall bed room in this practical manner, ser
= Jack the GRAND boy down otter the age an
: saw, and Ferdinand Allaire set brlskly I
work, whistliug "Banks and Braes" MOI
energetically as he tolled. .,.,
Miss Jemima came and looked out OF To
window, her eyes shining merry eneourag'
ment, and her mischievous mouth framin
itself in dimples. Miss Lavinia Jones, II
elderly maiden lady who occupied the oae
parlor, pursed up her lips, and wonders
s.what ridiculous freak that madoap OF 2 ~
Allaire would be up to next" Young 'e