Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-13
CURLT'S CASH ACCOUNT,

THE apples were hanging rosy and ripe
on the trees In the great orchard at Uncle
Ben's, and Curly was glad indeed to be
there on visit and learn the difference
between Red Rareripes, Spitzenbergs
Seek-no-furthers, and all the other varie-
ties which his cousins knew so well. The
apple gathering was a great festival for
Hal, Walter and Jack; they helped In it
and really worked hard, but they were al
lowed to eat as many apples as they
wished, and it was their fathers custom
to pay them something for every bushel
they picked up, and they valued the peck
et-money SO earned greatly.
& [ want to work and be paid, too"
cried Curly, when he heard of this ar
rangement. Cant I, dear Uncle Ben {?
I'll be such 'dustrious boy"
" What can you do with money!" asked
his uncle, good naturally.
Spend it-course! What you fink ?"
said Curly.
So Uncle Ben furnished Curly with
basket many sizes smaller than those of
Hal, Walter and Jack, and agreed that
for every time Curly filled it all by him
self he should be paid two cents.
How hard Curly toiled to fill the basket!
His short legs trudged to and fro until
they were weary, and if it had not been
rule that the boys should only work dur
ing the forenoon | think he would have
worn himself out the first day, in his zeal.
"pll buy you new piano with some
OF my money, mamma" he said, loving
ly. Fink I'd better get myself a goat
carriage, don't you? I'd like a pony bet
ter, but 'spect he'd be more EXPENSIVE"
Mamma thought he would as she
smiled at her little boys large plans. She
reminded him that his earnings might not
be so large as he expected, but Curly felt
very rich and did not heed.
That afternoon a man came by the
house from the city carrying a string of
red balloons with which to tempt the
country children. Hal rushed to the
fence and bought one, and Curly looked
enviously at it.
{" If had some money I'd get one,'' he
said.
why don't you Ask papa to let you
have some in advance; he can take it out
when he pays you all up at the end of the
apple gathering. That's the way I do
Walter saves all his, to get it in lump,
but Jack and do not" said Hal.
Curly was charmed with the idea. His
uncle would be owing him so much it
was better to spend a little of it now, he
thought. Uncle Ben gave him eight
cents very readily, only told him he must
be sure to keep account Of what he thus
received before the end of the week,
which Curly promised to do. With
mammals help he set it down, and felt
very much of man to be keeping real
cash account
In fact he enjoyed it SO well that the
next day and the next he asked Uncle
Ben for payment, and thought it was
most agreeable to earn money in the morn
ing and spend it in the afternoon
Pm afraid you'll run over your due
and spend too much" said mamma, one
day
20 no! Just fink how many baskets
picked today. Makes me ache now,
talking about them!''
The apples were all gathered at last,
and payday came. Hal Jack and Wal
ter presented each his account, and then
came Curly, very proud and important.
Here is his account as he had printed it
in crooked little letters:
FROM UNCLE BEN
d onday-For red balloon. .--...-......... cents
Tuesday-For candy. .............-......10 cents
Wednesday-For more candy. ......... 3 cents
Thursday For yellow top ........... Is cents
Frlday-For rubber doll for baby and
candy for me. Observation-Disclosures. X cents
Saturday-Fol organ msn............... 5 cents
have had. IS cents.
Uncle Ben eyes twinkled as he looked
over the little paper, and then opened his
pocket book and turned to a 1eaf on which
was written:
CARLETON Ross IN ACCOUNT WITH B. NICHOLS
To picking thirty baskets apples at Cas- so
" Fifty-six from sixty, leaves four, does
it not, Curly? You have worked very
well, my little man, and earned your
money fairly
" You've spent it fairly, too, haven't
you?" asked Hal, with laugh, as Curly
received the four pennies, with look of
much surprise and no little disappoint
ment.
" Well; but you told me about getting
my money ahead, Hal. Why didn't you
tell me not to spend it all up?'' said Curly,
clinking the pennies in his small hand.
"Hage 1 spended it all up, mamma
Now l can't get you a piano. and Curly
looked very sober.
Never mind, dear" said mamma,
taking up the funny little cash account