The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-07-04

Peter Doldrum was inclined TO be shftess
He was not man of extended business ca
pacity, nor had he, by Inheritance been bless
ed with great intellect or much worldly
goods. Peter Doldrum WAS a ay-laborer, il
a small country village, owning poor cot
tagc and poor piece of land; but both co
and land might have been much better haC
| Peter Dodrum so wllcd and determined. In
fact, his cot, which came from the parents OF
his wife, was pleasantly situated, and the
land had been once Of the very best quality
But Peter was satisfied 10 work for others
who would pay him, taking little heed to the
capacities and possibilities of his own place
And yet Peter had not lived unhappily. His
wife was thrifty, hard working, good.natur.
ed woman, very seldom speaking otherwise
than kindly to her husband, though often
sorely tried; for, at heart, Peter was Kindness
and docillty personitied but, alas there was
danger of his going TO the bad, The symp-
toms were strong in that direction. Could
Mrs Doldrum correct him? She had resolv-
ed that she would try.
1t was a cold, drilling day in mid Novem-
bcr-such day as finds an aimless, thrftless
man knowing not what to do with himself
when left TO his own resources Peter had
eaten his breakfast, and sat brooding over
! the kitchen stove. His wife said TO him:
peter, can't you put some kind of a wealth
or strip on the bottom of the back door
to day? The wind amt rain beat in there
drcadfully"
4 NO. answered Peter, with cold shudder.
:, IT'S IA cold, wet job, aud don't feel much
| like It,"
We'll, can't you fix the pump? The
handle is loose, and the lower box leaks quite
2 bad"
Il can't do it, Susan am not pump.
, maker"
But YOU can do something toward it If YOU
/ try"
, II don't want to try Ten to one | should
Spite it,"
. Then won't you fix my mop and water
! pail?"
. Not today. They'll wiggc through if
. you're keeriul."
: You can at least fix the windows in our
chamber so that they won't rattle so, and let
in SO much wind"
Don't bother, Susan. | amt in the mood
tor work. just you wash your dishes, and
let me alone
Having thus spoken, Peter arose and took
his hat from the floor, where he had thrown
it, and prepared for going out. His wife
5 knew very well his intended destination lie
was going TO the tavern, where he would be
sure TO meet some Of his Weekday cronies, and
there lie would drink more or less Thus far
, Peter had not been in the habit of drinking
to inebriaion; but the habit was growing up.
Oh him. AS surely as water runs down hill,
! Just so surely does tap.room loating and
u drinking lead to drunkenness. Susan had
seen enough Of life 10 know this
u stop aminutc, Peter" she said
I "What forg"
! "Wait and see
l Peter had curiosity, and he waited Susan
left the kitchen, aud when she returned .h,
had on her hood and shawl with an umbrella
in her hand
. "Sakcs alive! Susan, where r We goinr ~
!, 81 am going with you, Peter; Won mr.,
I going 10 the tavern, and shall keep YOU
4 company"
Peter stared,
t Good gracious Susan, what r We think
c ing OFF,
: at is lonesome here without you, Peter
: and if there is comfort to be had at the tav
crn why maynt go and enjoy it with YOU,
!, At all events, am going
E susan"
t Don't worry, Peter; won't say word il
= the presence of your cronies to hurt YOU
$ feelings. Well only enjoy ourselves quietly
c together"
r. do YOU really mean il, Susan
y Peter, would you stay here all alone II
THIS house the whole dreary long day? | an
+ going to the tavern with you"
y Peter was not entirely obliviOus He iel
r. the rcproot, He took off his hat and hung
; upon peg. Then he scratched his head, AM
finally said
Il declare, Susan, that is pOoty consider
J able smart lecture, delivered AT short notice
| Don't let's say no more. jest you take of
your hood and shawl, and I'll stay at hom
e today"
: Susan went away and removed her cute
I garments, and Peter got his hammer an,
went to work, and before noon he had fixed
Membership upon the door; had fixed th,
pump and the mop; had frightened The cham
Der windows, besides having done various
other little things that were needtul And
in the afternoon, spurred up by the accom-
plishments Of the morning, he sought worE
on his own account