The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-09-11

/ ILL., OOuus was SO1uCttlIuj
eager and hopeful in his wife's face a
she leaned toward him.
.tI'm in downright earnest, Jane" h,
answered. IF you'll take the babies, IL
do my part. I'll turn over q new leaf
There shall be no more lost DAYS; no NOR,
foolish wasting of money; no spending o
evenings at McBride's."
"Oh, John" In her surprise and dc
light she could only repeat the exclama
tion. As she did so 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.
Yves, and twenty more, if you keep to
this, and say So" answered Jane, laugh
ing through tears.
"All right then. It's bargain" And
Wheaton caught his wife's 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. Eel
low-workmen tainted John, calling him
soft-hcarted, and fool, for taking other
mems brats."
One said to him: care four mouths
easier to fill than two?"
Another: you'll be sick of all this
before the years 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 had not lost a
day-something very unusual; and not
one evening during that time had he
spent at McDride's drinking-sa saloon. His
poor little home, which had come to have
neglected look, was putting on new ap-
pearance. The gate that for months had
hobbled on one hinge, now swung smooth
ly, and the mended latch held it shut.
Rank weeds no longer filled the door-yard;
the broken steps were mended, and clean
panes of glass filled many place in the
sashes where had been unsightly rags and
sheets of paper. A neglected running
rose was trimmed, and was now pushing
out young green leaves and buds.
Within, pleasant changes were also APP
parent. Various new but inexpensive
articles of furniture were to he found.
Old things were mended, polished up and
wonderfully improved. With all this,
marvellous to relate, Wheaton's earnings
had not only been equal to the increased
expenditure, but there was an actual sur
plus of ten dollars in hand.
II never would have believed it." said
John, as he and his wife sat one evening
talking over their improved condition af-
ter the babies-loyed now almost as if
their own-were asleep. /" It's just as old
Brown used to say Waste takes more
than want I 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 We are, ten dollars ahead in less
than month; and going on at this rate,
We'll have all clear in eighteen months"
Next day fellow-workman said to
Wheaton, half in banter: didn't I see
the constable down your way yesterday"
81 shouldn't WONDER" replied Wheaton,
with more gravity of manner than his
questioner had expected.
81 thought l saw him looking around
after things, and counting his fees on his
fingers"
"Likcly as not" said Wheaton. II
know of good many rents not paid up
last quarter. Money gone to McBride's
instead of to the landlord-ehe
The man WINGED little.
"How are the babies" he asked.
"First-rate," Wheaton answered, and
with smile so real that his fellow-work-
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went on, and, to the surprise of
all, Wheaton's circumstances kept i'm
proving. The babies had brought
blessing to his house. In less than eight
teen months he had paid off the light
mortgage that for years rested on his little
home; and not only this, had improved it
in various ways, even to the putting up of
a small addition, so as to give them a
neat breakfast-rOom.
The children grew finely-there were
three of them now, for their hearts and
home had opened to another orphan baby
and, being carefully trained by Mrs.
Wheaton, were a Zig Int and joy to the
house.
AT the end of five years we will intro
duce them briefly to the reader. Wheaton
is master workman, and employs ten
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
by the constable. Poor man! it was not
long before the constable had him in
charge. He had wasted his money at
Nc Brides, instead Of paying it to the
landlord.
Walking homeward, one evening after
work was over, Wheaton and his journey
man took the same way. They were
silent until they came near the formers
pretty dwelling, when the jOurneyman
said, half in jest, yet witt undisguised bit
terness: II guess we'll have to take
baby or two"
"Why?" asked Wheaton, not perceiv-
ing what was in the mans thought.
For good luck" said the journeyman.
"Ohw
"You've had nothing but good luck
since you took poor Mrs. Grants orphan
children"
"Only such good luck as every one NAV
hate if he WILL" answered Wheaton.
II 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 nice
house, and your wife and children are
we'll dressed. while have never been able
10 make both ends meet, and my bow
looks like ragamuffin half the time"
"Do you see that house over there-the
largest and the handsomest in the place ?"
said Wheaton.
EYES,"
"Who owns its''
Jimmy Mcbride
"How much did you pay toward build
ing it:"
"Mer'-in surprise.
"1es, You! How much did you pay
toward building it?"
"Why, nothing. Why should I help
pay for his house?''
"Sure enough! Why should your hard |
earnings go to build and furnish an ele. |
CANT house for man who would rather sell
liquor, and SO ruin his neighbors, body
and soul, than support himself in a useful
calling, as you and I are trying to do!"
II can't see what you're driving at"
said the journeyman.
"How much week do you spend at
McBride's saloOn?"
The man stood still, with blank look
On his face.