Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-01
Az About A Brick.


One bright morning in the month of
November Some years ago, was prepar-
| ing to 90 down town, when the servant
Informed me that man st the front door
was waiting to speak TO me. ''-
''rell him TT be down in moment"
said |.
Ga going to the door man OF tall stat
ure and robust appearance, calling me by
name, requested assistance, saying that he
had large family, wife in delicate
health, and no means to procure food for
"You appear to be strong and healthy,
why don't ycu work, said l. Hf,-
Simply sir because cannot procure
work =" 81
Not having any work to give him, /
thought | would test the sincerity Of his
intentions.
If l give you work, what pay do you
WANT"
Anything, sir, you choose to give me,
so long as | can obtain a living for my
suffering family.
Very well, said l, Il will give you
twenty-five cents an hour if you will carry
brick around the block for FIVE hours
without stopping.
Thank you, sir | will DO it"
After hunting awhile l found brick,
placed it on the mans arm, started him
on his walk, and then went down town 10
my business.
Not having the least faith IN the mans
promise, 1 thought but little more Of il,
yet as l knew | should be back within
Eve hours, | determined TO see if he per-
formed his appointed work Ny business
kept me away rather later than | expect
ed, 50 | had 70 forego my usual walk hQmc,
and took Fourth-avenue car 10 be back
within five hours.
As ! approached the corner Of the street
where resided | found a great crowd OF
persons gathered, two tire engines, hose
carriage, and hook-and-ladder truck.
Upon nquiring where the fire WAS, | was
lni9ruIed that it was false alarm, and
that what brought the people together and
0ccasOned the agitation was the spectacle
OF taHIdsn carrying brick on his arm
around the block for nearly five hours
The neighbOrs were looking at him from
the windows aud doors as he PASSED
along some thought he was crazy, but
when spoken to his answer was 49,
Don't stop me- it's all right
A. he uterlered with no one, ne was
allowed TO wax On undisturbed
Where Is the man asked.
There, you see him at the other end Of
tho block waking with his head down,
was the answer.
lie was JUS, about turning the corner,
and l waited al. he had performed the
circuit, then. taking him By the arm, |
marched INN to nay house, followed By a
lot OF boys Ia the meantime the french.
engines and hose-eart ratified of. The
man was thoroughly tired out W hen / took
him i1to-my hall and seated him on q
chair aud my servant wentiOr a little wine
ana something " eat. paid mn dal-
av and hall. He informed me, that,
whilc making one OF lis turns d lady
came cut OF house and inquired why he
va carrying that brick, aud On giving
acr the reason, he received a dollar The
object soon became known, for as he pass
adthe houses small sums were given to
hun by different persons, and he was well
satisfied Nth his days work. lt,
BUa said bc. what shall | do to-
mCrroW9n
"Why" l replied ''go early in the
morning 10 the houses from which YOU re-
ceiyed the money aud ask for work. and
no doubt you will 6nd some one VINO
vii put you in the way OF getting it.
and then report to me-
The following afternoon ne informed rue
that &c had been sent 10 German, who
kept pork establishment in third avenue,
and who wanted clerk to keep ms books.
He was to set FIVE dollars week if his
work proved satisfactory, and his duties
began % ihe next day Before leaving
ne he asked ios the brick which mad
brought him such good luck, and | gave
It 10 him. Within the year asccrtaired
that the map had been transferred to larg-
es establishment OF the same kind with
salary OF one thousand dollars.
Three or four years after this | was
riding IN 4 street car, when a well-dressei
man accosted Ine with smile aud asked
rDe # | knew him. Seeing me hesitate,
he said
"Do you recollect the man who once
carried the brick
lie then informed NE that he was doing
i prosperous business Oh his own account,
had laid up money, and expected to build
himself house up town.
Hens dt,d Ducks in the fruit yards.
The American Agricu,turist says =
Young chickens and ducklipgs will get
iarge part OF their living from insects if
they have the opportunity. It is 4 good
plan to give up the fruit yard or a part
OF the orchard, to poultry. Chickens
and ducks want shade as well as sunshine,
and thrive better for it during the sum
mer. They are always on the watch for
worms and mii!ers, and groodily devour
every insect that falls from the trees.
They are fond OF fruit.-a1d consume the