The Van Buren press., 1873-11-04
VAN BUREN, ARK, NOVEMBER 4, 1877:

aIklnn EOhc"a'o, ohN ''oh'"E "'NN'
work was over Wheaton and his jour
noyman took the same way. They were
silent until they came near the formers
pretty dwelling, when the journeymah
said, half in jest, yet with undissuissd
bitterness: 81 guess we'll have to take
a baby ortwo"
"Why ?" asked Wheaton, not perceiv.
ing what was in the mans thought,
For good luck, said the journey
man.
"Oh!
you've had nothing but good luck
since you took poor Mrs Grant or
phau children.
"Only such good luck as every one
may have il he will, answered W heaton'
Il can't see it" returned the man
" Your wages were no better than nina
had one child, and you saddled your
self with two, aud not long after added q
third. And how is it to -day2 You have
a nice house, and you wifa and children
are well dressed, while have never been
able to make both ends meet, and my
boy looks like a ragamuilln halt the
time
"Do YOU see that house over there
the laro est and handsomest in the place 2
said Wheaton.
"Yes.
",Who owns Z"
Jimmy Mcbride
"How much did you pay toward
building it?'
"Me PIN surprise.
"Yes, you! How much did you pay
toward building it p
"wky, nothing, Why should l pay
for his house =
"Surs enough! Why should your
hard earnings go to build and furnish an
elegant house for man who would rath-
er sell liquor, and SO ruin his neighbors,
body and soul, than support himself in a
useful ealing, as you and are trying to
do"
IL CANT SEQ what you're driving at,
said the journeyman.
"How much o week do you spend at
McBride's sa)oon?'
The man stood still, with blank look
ON his face.
"A dollar q week?' asked Wheaton
yes"
Say dollar and a half
"Well, say as much
"Do YOU know what that amounts to
in year? Z"
Never counted il up
"Seventy- eight dollars.
Me-
"Yes, to a dollar So, in five years,
at this rate you have contributed nearly
four hundred dollars toward McBride's
handsome house, without getting any
thing but harm in return, and haven't a
.hingls over your head that You can call
your own Now, it's my advice, in a
friendly way, that you stop helping Me.
Bride, and begin to help yourself He's
com Portable enough, and can do without
your dollar and half week Take a
baby, IL you will, for good luck. You'll
find one over al the poor house, it won't
cost you half as much as helping Nc
Bride, and l don't think he needs your
aid any longer. But here we are at home,
and | see my wife and children waiting
for me. Como in, won't your"
mo, thank you, II 80 home and
talk to Ellen about taking baby for
good luck" And he tried to smile, but
il was in anything but q cheerful way.
He passed onward, but called back after
going a few steps, al you sec anything
Of my Jack about your place, just send
him home, will your
Jack was there meanly dressed and
dirty, and in striking contrast with Whsa
tons three adopted children, who, with
tue only mother they ever knew, gave the
happy man joyful welcome home.
1--WE turned over n new leaf, - said
the journeyman, when he came to work
on the next morning.
Indeed I'm glad to hear it, re-
turned Wheaton.
ELLEN and talked it over last night.
| ~ done helping saloon keepers build
fine houses. Glad yoa put it to mo jnst
in that way. Never looked at IT 50 be
fore. But It's the hard truth. What
fools we are !"
"Going to take baby'" said Whea
ton, smiling.
"Well, we haven't just settled tha'
But Ellen heard, yesterday, OF poor III
tie thing thatll have to 20 on the county
# some one don t take it; and l should
not wonder, now, if she opened her
heart. for she's a motherly body.
"Whcrs is p asked Mr. Wheaton
"Down at the Woodbury. Mills
Wheaton reflected u few moments, and
,hen said Look here, Frank take
nv advice and put this baby between
Won and Mcbride you and lost
you anu idle thrittIess
hcss. and, my word for it, in less than
two years you'll have your own roof over
your head "
Only for little while did The man hes'
ithtc. then, with an emphatic manner, he
III do it,
"Ds It at once, then, said Wheaton,
:. Put on your coat and go over to the
Mills and get the baby 1t will be an an
gel in your house, that will help aud
bless YOU in every hour of temptation.
Go at once God has opened for you
this way of safety, and IL you walk
therein all will bo well y
He did walk therein, andnll was vol.
Wheatons prophesy was fulfilled. In
less than two years the journsyman had
his own roof over his head, and it cover
ed happy home Ar'hW's Home Nag
ozine
E6r A country editor waxing eloquent