Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-09-22
FIFTY CENTS A WEEK.


mother to her son, youth of thirteen
years. "you must cut some wood for the
front stove. Mr.. Crawford comes to-
night"
Mr.. Crawford is young man who is
keeping company with Fanny, Tommy's
sister. The time was one Wednesday
evening. Tommy had been skating since
school, and was now anxiously awaiting
his supper. The announcement came
upon hlm with disagreeable force.
''Is that old rooster comm around
here to night ?" he impetuously inquir-
ed.
"Thomas ~ cried the mother, in a
voice of horror.
Thomas, having eased his mind some
what Of the burden, proceeded to the
wood pile without further remark.
He was not in a good humor as he look
ed around for the axe, and articles for
eign TO the search were moved with grace
less haste.
"This is a reg'lar dogs life." he mood
lily cjaculated. First it, Sunday night,
an then it's Friday night an every lit
tie while an extra night is thrown in. /
don't see what's the use Of a girl about
the house. If I've got to cut wood every
time that feller comes, I'll know the
reason why. won't be put on like this.
/ amt poin' to be made pack mule of
! by all the CrawtOrds and Fanny on
earth. It's all nice enough for them TO
be in there toasting their shins. and actin
sickieh, bat I notice that hayr to do ali
the work. It's PLAYED out. by Jlnks |
sin't that kind of hair pin I'd just
like to have somebody tell me-" he add
ed, looking around for the person in ques-
tion. "how much Of the candy an or
anees an other stun that Fanny gets that
] get. Not one Whit. by gracious Not
one single, solitary Whit! An here |
chop wood for her an him night after
night an il it wasr't for me they'd shake
all their teeth outen their heads. Oh,
they are y sweet scented pair, they are"
Closing his remarks with this gloomy
observation on his sister and ber company
he worked away at the wood until the
amount necessary was prepared. About
seven O'Clock Mr.. Crawtotd's knock
sounded at the door. Fanny's mother
was to have let him in. bu! Tommy vol
unteered his services. He escorted the
young gentleman into the front room,
and then, backing himself against the
door, be pointed to the stove, which was
throwing out II welcome heat, and stern
~ inquired
us that whit you call n good fire ?"
"Yes, indeed" said Mr.. Crawford,
rubbing his hands gratefully.
"Ah !" observed Tommy in tone Of
relief, although his tsce scarcely relaxed
the severity Of its expression.
"Iou couldn't very we'll get along in
here without fire, could you ?"
"Hardy."
"S'pose not. Now, who do you spose
made that FIRE 20
"Why-l-I suppose-why, I don't
know" said Mr.. Crawford apparently
embarrassed by the question.
mo? Well, can tell you. I made
that FIRE. | cut the wood for it, | cut
tho wood and make every fire you have
here. I've been doing it all the while
you've come here, and you an Fan have
81 hD n' f.d
candy an sucked oranges. You an Fan
have had all the comfort Of it, an I've
done ali the work. every bit OF it, an not
one smell Of them candies and oranges
have | had-not one living smell"
The unhappy boy knit his eyebrows.
and insinctively elenched his hands
Scarcely less disturbed was the young
man. He glanced uneasiy from the fire.
man to the stove. But he made no reply.
He waited apprehensively for what WAS to
follow.
"I'll bet you've got pound Of as
sorted candies in your clothes this min
ute for Fan"
Thi, came so directly in the form Of an
Interrogation that Mr.. Crawford unhesi-
taIinRly nodded.
$50 l thought" pursued Fanny's
brother. "Now | want 10 tell you that
if this fire business is to be carried on by
me, there's got to be different arrange
ment of awards. Ii not. you can come
here and cut your own wood. viii you
divide them candies %
"Why-w why-I-hardly would like to
do that, Tommy. got these for Fanny,
you know"
"Ges, know," said Tommy, grimly
"When see you coming up here again
| shall expect to see you luggin' an axe
over your shoulder.
Mr.. Crawford looked aghast
"But. Tommy" he expo>tulated you
won't go back on me- like that /? Tllpay
you for doing it,"
"Oh! what will you pay :"
"I'l give you fifty cents week."
Hope to die ?"
YES" said Mr.. Crawford eagerly"
"Then | am just your cheese" said the
youth, the hard lines melting entirely out
Of his face. "Ihere's nothing mean
about me, but don't want to go along in
the dark. This thing had to be settled
one way or the other, for it was wearing
the life out OF me. But now that it's fix
ed, y0u'll find me up to the mark every
time. and ii | don't make that stove rear
rirht up on her hind legs, am bald
headed eper without pedigree.
And with flourish expressive of the
deepest earnestness, he stalked out of the
room.