The Van Buren press., 1874-03-24

chum, but could not hnd work.
"And where have you looked, to day Z
"O-everywhere I've been to hun
dred places, but it's the same story in
every place It's nothing but one eternal
ne-no--no. I'm sick and tired of it "
"What have You offered TO do =
"Why, | even went so far as to tend
liquor store down town"
The wife smiled.
Now what shall we do Z" uttered Pc
tor spasmodicallv
why. we will cat supper FIRST and
talk the matter over.
"Supper Have you got any p
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.
"Yes
But how--w where-what p
Why, first | went to Mrs Shows.
knew her girl was sick and ! hoped she
might have work to be done ] went to
ner and told her my story, and she SET
me1 at work at once doing her washing
She gave me food to bring home to my
children, and paid me three shillings
when ! got through.
What--you been out washing for oul
butchers wife Z" said Peter looking very
much surprised.
"Of course have, and have thereby
earned enough to keep US in food thro'
tomorrow, at any rate; so tomorrow
you may come home to dinner"
But how about the rent r
30, have seen Mr. Simpson, told him
Just how we were situated, and offered
him my watch as pledge for the pay
ment of our rent within two months,
with the interest on arrearages up to that
date. ! told him did the business be-
cause you were away hunting up work. .
80 he's got your gold watch p
N6-he wouldn't take it. lie said
if | would become responsible for the
rent, he would let it rest. I"
"Then we've got roof to cover us,
and food for tomorrow. But what next
What curse these hard times are -
"Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve. I've got work enough engaged
to keep US alive.
Ah-what is that p
"Why, Mr., Snow has engaged me to
carry small packages, bundles, and so
forth, to his rich customers. He has had
to give up one of his horses. -
"W hat do you mean, Maria 2"
"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 all that he said
He did happen to want just such work
done, though he meant to call upon the
dlcrs 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?'
[" Beeause--because-
"Say because it will lower me in the
social scale " .ew
well, so it will -
"Then it is more honorable to lie still
and starve, and see ones children starvc,
TOO, than to earn honest bread by honest
work. J tell you, Peter, it, you cannot
fad work, | must We should have been
without bread to night had | not found
work to day. You know that all kinds
Of light, agreeable business are seized
upon by those who have particular
friends, and engaged in them. AT such
a time as this, it is not for us to consider
what kind of work we will do, so long as
it is honest. Oh, give me the liberty OF
living upon my own deserts, and the in
dependence TO be governed by my own
convictions of right "
81 But my wife, only think--you carry
ing ont butchers stuff Why, would
sooner go and do it myself,
elf you will go, said the wife with a
smile, 81 will stay at home and take care
Of the children"
1t 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 tho
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 Mrs
Dixall's Aud the new carrier worked all
day, and when il came night he had
earned ninety seven cents. 1t had been
a day Of trials, but no one sneercd ut
him, and all his acquantances whom he
met, greeted him the same rs usual. lie
was far happier now than he was when
he went home the night before, for now
he was independent
Ga the next day he earned over dol
lar. and thus he continued to work for a
week, at the end Of which time he had
five dollars and seventy five 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 discharged from
work with himself. Leeds looked care
worn and rusty
How goes it ~ asked Peter.
"Don't ask me, y" groancd Mark "My
family are half starved
"Bat can't you find anything to do 2
Nothing F"
"Havc you tried y
" Everywhere but It's no use lhave