The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-03-27


her children some dinner, and went
away again. She came home at night,
bringing heavy basket with her.
Well, Peter" she asked, after her
husband had entered and sat down,
"whatluck 7"
" Nothing, nothingl" he groaned.--
made out to get dinner with an old
chum, but could not find work."
And where have you looked to-
dayp"
30, everywhere. I've been to hun
dred places, but it's the same story in
every place. It's nothing but one eter-
nal no, no, no. Pm sick and tired of
it,"
"And what have you offered to do 2'
Why, have even gone so far as to
offer to tend liquor store down the
street"
The wife smiled.
Now what.shall we do 2" uttered
Peter.
Now, we will eat our supper, and
then talk the matter over.'
Supper Have you any ?"
"Plenty of it,"
g But you told me you had none"
Neither had we this morning, but
have been after work to-day and found
some.''
Been after work and found some!'
g Yes"
But how--where ?"
Why, first went to Mrs. Shows
knew her girl was sick, and 1 hoped
she might have work to be done. went
to her and told her my story, and she
set me at work at once doing her wash
ing. She gave me food to bring home
to my children, and paid me three shil-
lings when L got through.
g You been washing for our butchers
wife ?" said Peter, looking very much
surprised.
"Of course 1 have, and have thereby
earned enough to keep us in food
through tomorrow at any rate; so to-
morrow you may come home to din
ner.n
But how about the rent.
80, have seen Mr.. Simpson, told
him just how we were situated, and Of
fered him my watch as a pledge for the
payment of our rent within two months,
with interest on arrearages up to date
told him / did the business because
you were away hunting for work.
So he got your watch ?"
No, he wouldn't take it. He said if
l would become responsible for the rent,
he would let it rest"
"There, we've got roof to cover us,
and good food for morrow, but what
next? Oh, what a curse these hard
times arel'
Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve. I've got enough engaged to
keep us alive"
''Ah, what is that ?''
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.'
Maria, what do you mean Y''
Just what say. Mr.. Snow came to
dinner; was there, and asked him if he
ever had light articles which he wished
to send around to his customers. Never
mind what he said. He did happen to
want just such work done, though he
had meant to call upon the idlers that
lounge about the market. He promised
to give me all the work he could, and
am to be there in good season in the
morning."
This is pretty go my wife turned
butchers boy You will not do any
such thing"
''And why not?''
Because
"Say, because it will lower ME in the
social scale"
Well, so it will"
Then is it more honorable to lie still
and starve, too, than TO earn honest
bread by honest work. tell you Peter,
if you cannot find work, 1 must. We
should have been without bread tonight,
had not found work to-day. You know
that all kinds oflight agreeable business
are seized upon by those who have par
ticular friends, and engage in them. At
such time as this it is not for us to
consider what kind of work we will do,
so long rs it is honest. Oh, give me the
liberty of diving upon my own deserts
and thefndependence to be governed by
my own convictions of right ~