Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-30

been rolling on the floor when he entered,
but whom their father had dispersed as if
they had been a flock of chickens, now
peeped curiously in at him through the
windows and the cracks of the doors.
Never before had he been an inmate of
household so destitute of all the graces
OF life; but he was in no mood to be
critical. And their rugged kindness so
won upon him that it was with real regret
he at length took leave of them to pursue
his lonely journey.
" II the worst comes to the worst, re-
member you've always got JOB Blinker to
tall back upon" were the parting words
of his host.
The remainder of that day and the next
ne spent IN walking from farm. house to
farmhouse, asking for work, until it
seemed to him that he had travelled the
length and breadth of West Chester County.
But here there was the same remarkable
unanimity as in the CITY.
10 hands wanted here he was every
where told
Once or twice, however, additional in
formation was forwarded that fall was
not the time OF year to get farm work"
probably he could find enough to do in
the spring.
All, that was so easy to say, but mean
while what was to become of him during
the long, cold winter that lay between?
His money was almost gOne-he had
scarcely enough to pay for a nights
!odging-and for the first time in his life
1t seemed TO him that he could realize
how people might be driven to beggary,
or worse, to theft and even suicide.
lie thought of his mother, and Won
dered If from her home up in heaven she
could look down upon her son, and
whether his misfortunes could give her
sorrow IN that happy place
thinking thus, he wandered on and on
I'LL he saw, back from the road, large
house, with still larger barn behind It,
as well as several other outbuildings.
Undoubtedly it was a farmhouse, and
ne would make one more trial, he
thought.
He was making his way to the back
door when he saw man leading a horse
to water; so he put to him the question
he had asked so often:
" Is there any work you can give me
to do here?"
"There's work enough" said the man.
" but you don't look like the one to do it.
Did you ever work on a farm?"
are doing now, or saw wood, and help in
a good many ways, | think"
Kind o. chore round, Ell? We've been
looking about for just such a boy as that,
but as you're a green hand l suppose you
wouldn't expect much wages?"
"lll take whatever you think I'm
worth"
"That's fair; but first we should want
to know little more about you. 'Tisn't
common for young men of your fgger to
drop down at peoples back door and
ask to do chores"
Of course | will tell you all you wish
to know" said Dwight
Every WE'LL" said Mr. Schumacher, for
that was his name. You can stay here
tonight, anyhow, and We'll talk it over"
So in the evening they did talk it
over, and the result was that Mr.. Schu-
maker engaged Dwight to stay during
the winter, or as long as both were suited.
1t was a large dairy -farm, and there
were great many persons employed to
carry it on, so that Dwight did not lack
company, and on the whole was not dis
satisfied with his new life When he was
fairly established there he wrote to Aunt
Samantha:
Things have not turned out Just as
expected when 1 babe you goOd-by on
that summer morning, but you need not
pity me, and hope you will not think /
have disgraced the family in coming here;
did not come because chose it, but be-
cause | could not help it''
And she answered: Neither is it just
the position | should have chosen for
you; but honest and respectable labor
never disgraced anyone, and | would far
rather think of you riding about on your
milk-cart than sitting with your hands in
your pockets waiting for something to
turn up.
graced, am prond Of the COURAGE and res
hard times. Youths Companion.