River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-02-07
..But YOU told me Won had none. y

But how wherem
"Why first l went to Mrs Shows. I
knew her girl was sick, and hoped she
might have work to be done, ] went to
her and told her my story, and she set
me at work at once doug her washing.
She gave me food to bring home 10 my
citildIen, and paid me three shilllings
when | got through"
You washing for our butchers wife,"
said Peter, looking very much surprised.
''Of course | have, and have thereby
earned enough TO keep us in food through
to morrow at any rate; so tomorrow you
can come home to Dinner"
But how about the rent3'
"Oh, have seen Mr.. Simpson, told
him just how we were situated, and offer
ed him my watch in pledge for the pay
ment 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's got your watchl'
'tNQ, he wouldn't take it. He said if
| would become responsible for the rent
he would let it rest"
There, we've got roof to cover us,
and good food for tomorrow, but what
next! Oh, what curse these hard times
are"
Don't despair, Peter for we shall not
s'arge. I've got enough engaged to
keep is alive"
"Ah, what is thatl'
" MI Snow has engaged me to carry
mail packages, baskets, bundles and so
forth to his rich customers. He has had
to give up one of his horses"
&" Maria, what do you meant
just what | say. Mr.. Snow came to
dinner: l was there and asked him if he
ever had light articles which he wished
to send around to his custimores. Never
mind what he said He did happen to
want Just such work done, though he had
meant to call upon the idles that lounge
IaOut the market. He promised to give
me all the work he could, and / am sure
10 be there in good season in the morn
ing"
This is pretty go; my wife turned
butchers bow You will not do any such
thing"
And why notl"
Because"
Say because it will lower me in social
scale"
.Well, so 1t will.
Then it is more honorable to lie still
ana starve, too, than TO earn honest bread
cannot find work | must We should
lave been without bread tonight had |
not found work to-day. Yal know that
all kinds of light, agreeable business are
seized upon by those who have particular
friends and engage in them. AT such a
time rs this it is not for usto considers
what kind of work we will do, so long a
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-
victiQns of right"
but, my wife, only think, you carry
ing about butchers stuff! Why, l would
soon(r do it myself"
'IF you will 90, said the wife, with a
smile, II will stay home with the chill
(lren"
1t was hard for Peter Stanwood, but the
more he thought upon the matter the
moro he saw the Justice and right OF the
path into which his wife had thus led him.
Before he went to bed he promised
that he woull go to the butchers in the
morning.
Aud Peter Stanwood went to his new
business. Mr.. Snow greeted him warm
lv, praised his faithful wife, and then sent
him off with two bask cts, one to a Mr..
Smith s, and another to Mr. Dixall's.
rhe new carrier worked all day, and when
it came night he had earned ninety-seven
cents. 1t had been a day Of trials, but no
one had sneered at him, and all his old
acquaintances whom he met greeted him
the same as usual. He was far happier
nov than he was when he went home the
night before, for now he was independ-
emit
The next day he earned over a dollar,
and thus he continued to work for a week
at the end OF whish time he had five dol
lars and seventy five cents in his pocket,
hesiles having paid for ali the food for
his family, save some few pieces of meat
that snow had given them. Satur-
dav evening he met Mark Leeds, ano' her
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
',l3at can't you find anything to dol"
Nothing"
'Have you triedf"
EVERYWHERE; but it's no use. | have
pawned all my clothes save those | have
on I've been TO the bindery to-day, and
what do you suppose he offered me9n
"What was it?'
why, he offered to let me do his hand
carting. He has just turned off his man
for drunkenness, aud offered me the place.
The Old curmudgeon! l had great mind
to pitch him into the handcart and run
him into the river"
ST had been in your place | should
have taken up with the offer
Mark would not hear of it.
"Why,n resumed Peter, II have been
doing the work of a butchers boy for a
whole week.
Mark was incredulous, but his COM
PATTON convinced him, and they sepa-
rated, one going home happy and con-
tented and the other going away from
home to find some sort of excitement in
which to drown his misery.
One day Peter had basket of provis-
ions 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.
All, Stanwood, is this you?" asked
the old employer, kindly,
Yes. sir.
And what are you up to now"
I'm a butchers boy, sir
= what2'
You see, I've brought provisions for
you, sir I'm a regular butchers boy,
sir"
and how long have YOU been at work
| th1isl"
This is the tenth day"
tBut don't il come hard?"
3Nothing comes hard so long as it is
h0aest and will furnish my family with
bread"
I "And how much can you make a day
/ al 4biS 2"