Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-06-06
SATURDAY, JUNE q, 1874.
SIEIFrLESS;
Or Learning to Spell Kate.

CleArly, w luoW AfnOlds mems We're
the cause Of James Henry's shiftlessness.
One day a fearful clatter proceeded from
the hen house; cacke, cackle, cackle :
cut, cut, cut, cutarker cut, cut, cut, cut
arller, cried the hens then the old roost-
er, mounted upon a barrel at the door
and Tapped his wings in triumphant
fashion, and crowed so Justify that Mrs.
Arnold, who was frying doughnuts in
the kitchen, exclaimed
Good land, what's the matter with
them hens ? must be they've laid lots of
eggs. Run, James Henry, and bring 'em
in atore they eat 'em up"
But James Henry, who was whiting
with an old case knife, did not start, but
only asked interestedly: How many
'spose they've laid, mother ?"
'Oh, | don't know, perhaps two dozen.
" got twelve and half cents for the
last l carried to the store, A jackniie
don't cost but quarter"
" Well, what Of it Go and get them
eggs"
: But say, mother, if there's two dozen
mayn't | buy u jacknife? -? All the rest
OF the boys has got 'em. Jim Green's is
a beauty, and didn't cost but quarter"
Why, Mrs. Green takes in Washing"
said his mother.
James Henry saw his advantage
Yes, and Jim can't white no more'n
a." woman he was about to say, but
fearing his mother might take offence
at this important time, substituted COW
"no more'n COW. | bet them hens has
laid more than three dozen, they're cack
lin yet Say, mother, mayn't l buy a
knife ?"
Yes, guess SO, if you're good boy,
and learn well at school"
James Henry walked off jauntiy, his
hands in his pockets and slight swing
in his gait betokening his satisfaction, un-
til eagerness getting the best OF his digni-
ty, he gave two or three jumps which
brought him to the door of the hen house
Alas for human hopes There were but
twenty eggs. " Lacks four eggs Of a
| jacknile," he said mournlully, to his
MOTHER as he entered.
His look of disappointment was too
much for her tender heart, and she went
to the pantry aud returned with u basket
in which reposed twenty-iour eggs.
There, sonny" said she kindly, :" go
and buy ii knife, but be sure and get a
strong one"
James Henry was the only son Of his
mother, and she was widow Years
! ago she was a rosy-cheeked, farmers
girl, belle and beauty, who for awhile
llirted and kept the beaux hearts tlutter-
ing in the way girls are so fond OF, and
! then to their chagrin, married the least
among them, Matthew Arnold, with n
fine chateau de ESpdgne, but none in
this country, and great fortune in hopes
and plans not yet realized. Mary's fa-
ther bought them little house and gar
den when he found her mind was made
up to marry Matthew, and they went to
housekeeping in that happy inconsequent
fashion people are so apt to pity.
Had Matthew been rich, his friends
would have called him genius, but as it
was, two years had not elapsed ere the
neighbors said he was "shiltess," no
calculator; which, now L think of it are
| Synonymous with genius.
But whatever the meaning of the word,
the house mot the Spanish castle, that
was more beautiful than ever,) began to
wear a dllapidated appearance, the fences
| leaned over in careless fashion, and the
gate swung idly in the breeze, for Mat
thew was all the time at work upon some
thing, that was sure to bring n fortune
but which never did. Sometimes it was
| churns Of marvellous workmanship which
were to churn milk and buttermilk at the
ny new features, and was sure to become
a general favorite; again it was a steam
engine, kind Of perpetual motion, as it
was to use the steam over and over
again.
But unhapply they all lacked some
important element. The churn wouldn't
work, the clock wouldn't go, and the en-
gine refused to bulge an inch.
Mrs. Arnold was the greatest possible
contrast to her husband. But for her
they would have come to want. She it
was who not only attended to the house
hold affairs, but cultivated vegetables in
their little garden, sold eggs from their
few hens, butter from their one COW, and
spun and woYe for their more fortunate
neighbors. More than all the rest she
was CHEEKY and pleasant as ever, and had
implicit faith in her husbands genius.
Sometimes the neighbors condoled with
her, but Mrs. Arnold would say, Mat
thew never made thing | couldn't use.
There's that churn. now, | use it to put
meal in, and it's just the incest thing you
ever soc for that. The old clock could
not got along without. / keep my blank
cts in it, and the other woolens. Never
a mouse gets at them. You have no idea
what it is to have q husband handy to