Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-21
Our Young Folks.
PAY ATTENTION.

home yourself, can't your"
"Yes'm," replied Sam, who was think
ing all the while of Ralph Rogers dog
| Pete, who was upon that morning to be
| harnessed, for the first time, into little
wagon. If Pete behaved with the dignity
| betting his years, many Jolly" rides
were IN store for Raj ph's little sister, who
was, however, too young to look forward
to that pleasure with any degree Of salts
! faction.
Sam took the jug and walked Off He
| walked slowly, tor the jug was heavy and
/ he was not large boy.
| A walk of three SOU ares brought him to
| the grocer's. "I'd like some vinegar in
this said he to the clerk.
How much?"
| All! That was just what Sam couldn't
| tell, though his forehead was all wrinkled
up trying to think of it.
Mother said something about quarts, -
he faltered, at length.
LET me see," said the clerk, briskIy.
"This is a two-gallon jug Didn't she say
eight quarts ~
Yes" replied foolish Sam, az think
she did"
"You want it filed, then?"
Eyes" And he drew long breath of
relief.
"I'H send it right along. She shall
have it by ten o'clock"
ooh! no." answered Sam, in distress,
remembering a portion of his message.
she wants it now. | can carry it just as
we'll"
The clerk looked at the little fellow,
then at the jug. 1t seemed impossible;
but so many years had passed since he
was young Che had now reached the ven
cradle age of eighteen) that he had really
forgotten what the weight of two gallon
jug, vinegar included, would have been
to him in those days. Besides, it wasn't
far-Only three squares. So he allowed
his little customer to depart, without
further parleY.
Sam dragged the jug as far as the cor
ner, his poor arms aching and his limbs
trembling fearfully. Then he stopped to
rest. With almost superhuman exertions
he tugged it across the street, looking
fearfulIy to the right and to the left all
the while for runaway horses. When
he reached the opposite corner his cour-
age and his strength gave way together
He felt that it was of no use to try any
more
He could not go back to the store for
| assistance; neither could he go home
He dared not leave the jug for moment.
Not knowing what else to do, he sat down
upon the curbstone and cried.
Ladies and gentlemen passed calmly by
| and took no notice A little girl STUN
bled against the obnoxious jug; but she
only looked at Sam inquiringly, asking
no questions. You would hardly believe
it possible that little boy could have
felt so utterly lonesome and forlorn when
he was only a stone's-throW from his
| mothers house.
whats the matter, baby?''
Sam looked up and saw Mart Ryder
standing beside him. He didn't like
Mart very well; but he was glad to see
anybody now.
"That man," pointing in the direction
Of the grocer's store, "he-put too-much
-vinegar-in."
Cant you carry it?"
ono"
Mart lifted it. "Phew! l should say
you couldn't I'll show you how to do
it." And he turned the unresisting jug
| upon its side and prepared to roll it.
That would never do.
cob! don't, DON'T" pleaded poor Sam.
1.-The cork isn't tight enough. It'll all
be wasted out. Besides, you'll break the
handle. Don't"
Every well. Then don't see as can
help you any"
Mart placed the jug in an upright posi-
| ton again.
couldn't you just go down to the
store and ask Mr.. Ruggles to send his
| MANI"
No, couldn't"
Wouldn't you go over to my house
and get Margaret? ?"
"No, I wouldn't Haven't got time.
| And you'd better hurry up, Sammy, or
you'll be late to school. Miss Sampson'll
give you the dickens of scolding."
And Mart walked off
Better hurry up!" thought Sam, in
dignantIy He wondered how boy
could possibly hurry up with two gal
Ion jug staring him in the face, refusing
either to be left or to be carried. He
could almost have imagined himself a
horse, and the Jug horrible weight, by
which he was kept from running. Itwas
certainly quite as etectual a preventive.
And there was Pete Rogers, perhaps, at
this very moment harnessed into the lit
tie wagon, and the boys having all their
sport without him. Sam cried again.
The minutes passed slowly by. His
thoughts began to wander from his own
personal grief to his mothers disappOint-
Ment. She had wanted the vinegar right
away, and light away" seemed to him
about six hours ago. She wanted it for
her pickles, too. He wondered if the
pickles would be spoiled. This thought
brought him back to a personal grief
again for Sam was very fond OF pickles.
Suddenly his dim eyes deserted a fig
ure coming toward him. 1t was female
figure, with a red shawl upon its head.
Sans face Frightened. He thought he
recognized this short, stout, "dumpy''
figure. 1t walked quickly for few steps,
then commenced running. He was sure
he knew it then. Nobody else ever could,
would, or did run with the clumsy, wheezy
speed of his faithful Margaret.
But she had no smiles for him now.
Her black eyes seemed rather to gather
wrath as she approached him.
"Arrah, musha, now, an where's the
vinegar? Is it the whole mornin' it
takes to bring quart ?"
Sam didn't answer.
The girl muttered something about
"ristin' tin minutes wild every dhrap."
| Then she seized the jug handle.
''Saints above usi How much have ye
in it?''
1.-The man filled it." replied Sam,
family.
"Exceedin' ginerous to give a dozen
quarts for one" Margaret had never
studied the tables. What did ye tell
| him?"
Then Sam had to confess. I didn't
remember thought mother said
couldn't tell what she said"