Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-03-22

prlSoQ.
"Of course have, and have thereby
earned enough tokeep us in food through
Tomorrow at any rate, so tomorrow you
may come home to dinner"
'But how about the rent ?"
"Oh, have seen Mr.. Simpson, told him
how we were situated, and offered him my
watch in pledge for TIE payment of our
rent within two months, with interest on
arrearages up to date. told him I did
the business because you were away hunt
ing for work.
$50 he's got your watch %
"No, he wouldn't take it. He said if I
would become responsible for the rent he
would let it rest"
sThen we've got roof to cover us, and
good food tomorrow, but what next? Oh,
what curse these hard times are"
Don't despair, Peter, for we shall not
starve. I've got enough engaged to keep
us alive.'
"Ah, what is that.''
sMr. Snow has engaged me to carry
small packages, baskets, bundles and so
forth to his rich customers. He has had
to give up one of his horses"
s'Maria, what do you mean ?"
''Just what say" Mr.. Snow came to
dinner; was there and asked him if he
ever had light articles which he wished to
send to customers. He did happen to
want just such work done, though he
had meant to call upon idlers that lounge
about the market. He promised to give
me all the work he could, and I'm to be
there in good season in the morning.
''Ihis IS pretty go; my wife turned
butchers boy You will not do any such
thing
"Apd why not ?''
| Because
''Say, because it will lower me in the
social scale.''
"Well, SO it will.''
s'Then it is more honorable to lie still
and starve too, than to earn honest bread
by honest work! 1 tell you Peter if you
cannot find work l must. We should
lave been without bread tonight, had
not found work to-day. You know that
all kinds of light agreeable business ale
seized upon by those who have particular
friends, and engaged In them. at such
time as this it is not for us to consider
what kind of work we will do, so long as
it is honest. Oh give me the liberty of
living upon my own deserts, and the indie
pendence to be governed by my own con-
victions of right"
s'But, my wife, only think, you carrying
about butchers stuff! Why, could soon
er do it myself
"If you will CO., said the wife, with
smile, II will stay at home with the chill
dren."
1t was hard for Peter Stanwood. but the
more he thought upon the matter the
more he saw the justice and right of the
path in which his wife had thus placed
him. Before he went to bed he promised
that he would go to the butchers in the
morning.
And Peter Stanwood went to his new
business. Mr.. Snow greeted him warmly.
praised his faithful wife, and then sent
him off with two baskets, one to a Mr..
new carrier worked all day and when it
came night he had earned ninety-seven
cents. 1t had been day of trials, but no
one sneered at him, and all of his acquain-
tances whom he met greeted him the same
as usual. He was far happier now than
when he went home the night before, for
now he was independent.
| On the next day he earned over dollar,
and thus he continued to work week, at
the end of which he had five dollars and
seventy-fve cents in his pocket, besides
having paid for all the food for his family,
save some few pieces:of meat that Snow
had given them. Saturday evening he
met Mark Leeds. another binder, who had
been discharged with himself. Leeds
looked care-worn and rusty.
"How goes it ?" asked Peter.
! Don't ask me.'' groaned Mark, ''my
family are half starved
but can't you ind anything to do ?"
! 'Nothing'
"Have you tried ?"
Everywhere but it's no use. I have
pawned all my clothes save those I have
on. I've been to the bindery to-day, and
what do you suppose he offered met"
| ''What was it ?''
"Why, he offered to let me do his hand
| carting! He has just turned off his man
for drunkenness, and offered me the place.
The old curmudgeon. I had great mind
to pitch him into the hand cart run him
| to the"
eff 1 had been in your place I should
have taken up with the offer"
! Mark mentioned the name of the same
individual again.
"Why," resumed Peter, shave been do
ing the work of butchers boy for whole
week.
| Mark was incredulous, but his cOmpan-
ion convinced him, and they separated,
one going home happy and contented, and
the other going away from home to find
some sort of excitement in which to drown
| his misery.
One day Peter had a basket Of provisions
to carry to his former employer. He took
the load upon his arm, and just as he was
entering the yard Of the customer, he met
him coming out.
"Ah. Stanwood, is this you p asked the
old employer, kindly.
Yes, sir
And what are you up to now?'
I'm a butchers boy, SIR
"A what p
You see,I've brought provisions for
you sir. I'm regular butchers boy;
sir.