The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-09-26

1865 $500
must fall on YOU"
Il don't mind that So much, but"
She kept back the sentence that was on
her tongue.
But what p asked her husband.
john said Mrs. Wheaton. drawing
herself up in resolute manner. and look
ing steadily into her husbands face, las
Things shall 30 on differently inter-
rupted Wheaton. I've thought that all
over"
"How differently. Johny"
"Oh! in every way. I'll turn over a
new leaf
Wheaton saw a light flash into his wife's
face.
First and foremost. I'm not going to
lose any more days. Last month | had
six days docked from my wages
why, joint
It's true-more's the shame for me.
That was eighteen dollars. YOU see. not
counting the money | fooled away in idle
company-enough to pay for all these ba-
bies would eat and wear twice over
"Oh. John :" There was something
eager and hopeful in his wife's face as she
leaned toward him.
I'm i'm downright earnest, Jane" he
answered. III you'll take the babies. I'll
do my part. III turn over a new leaf.
There shall be no more lost days; no more
foolish wasting of money no spending of
evenings at McBridc's.'
"Oh, joint In her surprise and de
light, she could only repeat the exclama-
ton. A. She did 81 this time. she rose. and
putting her hands on his shoulders, bent
and kissed him on the forehead.
You'll take the babies - said he.
"Yes. and twenty more. if you keep 10
this and say so,' answered Jane, laughing
through her tears.
"All right, then. It's a bargain And
Wheaton caught his wiie's hand and shook
it by way of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton really ''turned
over a new leaf Neighbors expressed
surprise when ii was told that Jane Whea-
ton had adopted the two orphan children.
Fellow-workmen tainted John. calling
him s0tt-hearted. and "A fool, for taking
other mems brats.'
One said To him Are four mouths
easier to fill than two?'
Another: You'll be sick of all this be-
fore the years OUT
And another: LII see YOU sold out
by the constable in less than six MONTHS
But John had little To say in relAy-
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
IA neglected look. was putting on "A new
appearance. The gate that for months
had hobbled on one hinge. now swung
smoothly. and the mended latch held il
shut. Rank weeds no longer filled the
door-yard; the broken steps were mended
and clean panes of glass filled many "A
place in the sashes where had been UNI
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.
Within. pleasant changes were also APP
parent. Various new bur inexpensive ar
of furniture were To be found. Old
things were mended. polished up and Won
improved. With all this. marvel
Gus to relate. Wheaton's earnings had not
only been equal to the increased cxpendi-
ture. but there was an actual surplus of
ten dollars in hand.
II never would have believed it," said
John. as he and his wife sat one evening
over their improved condition. after
the babies-loved now almost a. if their
asleep. Its Just as old
Brown used to say-'Waste takes
more than want. | declare I've got
heart in me again. | thought we should
have to let the place go: that I'd
never be able To pay off the mortgage.
But here w are. ten dollars ahead in less
than a month and going on at this rate,
we'll have all clear in eighteen months"
Next day a fellOw-workman said to
Wheaton. half in banter Didn't | see
constable down your way Yesterday
!" lshouldn'twOnder. replied Wheaton.
with more gravity of manner than his
questioner expected.
81 thought ! saw him looking around
after things. and counting his fees on his
fingers
Likely a not said Wheaton. IL
know of a good many rents not paid up
last quarter. Money gone to McBride's.
OF to the landlord-eh.'
The man WINGED "A little.
How are the babiesl" he asked.
"First-ratc.' Wheaton answered. and
with a smile so real that his fcllow-work-
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went on. and. to the surprise Of
all. Wheaton's circumstance kept improy-
ing. The babies had brought blessing on
his house. In less than eighteen months
he had paid of the light mortgage that
had for years rested on his little home /:
and not only this, but had improved it in
ways, even to the putting up of "A
small addition, 80 a. to give them a neat
brcakfast-rOom.
The children grew fi~nely-there were
three OF them now. for their hearts and
had opened to another orphan baby
and. being carefully trained by Mrs.
Wheaton. were Il light and Joy. to the
At the end of five years we will intro
luce them briefly TO the reader. Wheaton
J. a maSter-workman, and employs ten