Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-03-28

dred places, but it's the same story in
every place.-It's nothing but one
eternal no-no-no I'm sick and tired
of it."
"What have you offered to do?"
"Why, 1 even went so far as to tend
liquor store down town."
The wife smiled.
Snow what shall we do?" uttered
Peter spasmodically.
"Why, we will eat our supper first,
and talk the matter over"
"Supperl Have you got any?"
"Yes-plenty of it."
'But you told me you had none"
''Neither had we this morning, but
I've been after work to day, and found
some"
"You been after work ?" uttered the
husband in surprise.
eyes"
'But how-where-what?"
"Why, first I went to Mrs, Shows. 1
knew her girl was sick and I hoped she
might have work to be done. L went
to her and told her my story, and she
set me at work at once doing her wash
ing. She gave me food to bring home
to my children, and paid me three shil-
lings when I got through"
"What-you been washing for our
butchers wife?" said Peter. looking
very much surprised.
"Of course I have, and have thereby
earned enough to keep us in food
through tomorrow, at any rate; so to-
morrow you may come home to din
ner."
But how about the rent ?"
go, I have seen Mr.. Simpson, told
him just how we were situated, and
offered him my watch as a pledge for
the payment of our rent within two
months, with the interest on arrearages
up to that date. I told him did the
business because you were away hunt
ing up work"
$50 he's got your gold watch ?"
"No-he wouldn't take it, He said
if I would become responsible for the
rent, he would let it rest"
Then we've got q roof to cover us,
and food for tomorrow. But what
next? What a curse these hard times
are!"
"Don't despair, Peter, for we shall
not starve. I've got work enough en-
gagged to keep IFS alive"
"Ah-what is that ?"
"Why, Mr.. Snow has engaged me to
carry small packages, baskets, bundles,
and so forth, to his rich customers. He
has had to give up one of his horses" !"
What do you mean, Maria ?"
"Just what say. When Mr.. Snow
came home to dinner, was there, and
asked him if he ever had light articles
which he wished to send around to his
customers. Never mind that he said.
He did happen to want just such work
done, though he had meant to call upon
the idlers that lounge about the market.
He promised to give me all the work he
could. and I'm to be there in good
season in the morning"
"Well this is pretty go. My wife
turned butchers boy You will not
do any such thing"
"And why not ?"
because because"
"Say because it will lower me in the
social SCALE"
well, SO it will"
"Then it is more honorable to lie still
and starve, and see ones children
starve, too, than to earn honest bread
by honest work. I tell you, Peter, if
you cannot find work, I must. We
should have been without bread to-
night, had I not found work to-day.
You know that all kinds of light, agree
able business are seized upon by those
who have particular friends, and en-
gagged in them. At such time as this,
it is not for us to consider what kind
of work we will do, SO long as it is hon
est. Oh, give me the liberty of living
upon my own deserts, and the indie
pendence to be governed by my own
convictions of right"
"But my wife, only think-you car
ryiug out butchers stuff. Why, would
sooner 60 do it myself"
eff you will go" said the wife with
smile, 81 will stay at home and take
care of the children"
It was hard for Peter Stanwood, but
the more he thought upon the matter,
the more he saw the justice and right of
the path into which his wife had thus
led him. Before he went to bed he
promised that he would go to the
butchers in the morning.
And Peter Stanwood went upon his
new business. Mr.. Snow greeted him
warmly, praised his faithful wife, and
then sent him off with two baskets, one
to Mrs. Smiths and the other to q
Mrs. Dixalls. And the new carrier
worked all day, and when it came night
he had earned ninety-seven cents. It
had been day of trials, but no one
sneered at him, and all his acquaintance
whom he met greeted him the same as
usual. He was far happier now than
he was when he went home the night
before, for now he was independent.
On the next day he earned over o
dollar; and thus he continued to work
for week, at the end of which he had
five dollars and seventy-fve cents in his
pocket, besides having paid for all the
food for his family, save some few
pieces of meat Snow had given them
Saturday evening he met Mark Leeds,
another binder, who had been dis
charged with himself. Leeds looked
careworn and rusty.
"How goes it ?" asked Peter.
"Don't ask me-" groaned Mark. "My
family are half starved"
But can't you find anything to do?"
Nothing"
"Have you tried ?"
Everywhere; but it's no use. I have
pawned all my clothes save those I have
on. I've been to the bindery to-day,
and what do you suppose he offered
me ?"
"What was it ?"
"Why, he offered to let me do his
hand -carting He has just turned of