The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-23
Mo Burned Col.

A prominent lawyer of Battle Creek,
hllch., who has been much pestcred by
troop after troop Of boys coming into his
Office slamming doors and committing
other annoyances every time load Of
wood is left in the street Ill fropt OF the
stairway, with the same inquiry, sis this
your wood,2" determined to break them
OF 1t. He burns coal, and tho nuisance
has become so great that when load was
left at the stairs for the tenant in the attic,
who was not at home, and after seventeen
boys had inquired for the job of carrying
it up, he began to grow furious, but, keep.
ing his temper, determined to use strata
gem. A light knock ut the door. "Come
in,' said the lawyer. A boy opened the
door. "Cold day; sit down by the fire and
warm yourself comfortably"
The boy, rather dazed by the suavity
and kindness Of his reception, mechanical.
ly did as he was bld Finally, recovering
his assurance, he timldly inquired if s'that
was his wood2"
''A1y dear young friend" said the limb
OF the law, Ill his most beguiling accents,
ut pains me to disappoint the desires Of
young lad whose honesty impels him even
10 seek the lowliest labor, instead of re.
naming in idleness. But painful duties
must be discharged. You will observe,
by allowing your optics to rest upon the
stove, and logically arrive at the fact
which l am compelled 10 disclose to you
we burn anthracite coal"
The boy was dazrd at the magnanlmlty
and grand eloquence of tho Information,
and Slid out OF the room with his thumb
IN his mouth, vaguely comprehending that
the wood did not belong there.
Another knock. Programme repeated
with s'uht CHANCE nf in"i''""t and cha. arter
Again u tapping at the door.
"Your woUdf"
''Don't know. Is it veneering, finished
in OIL and carved: with close fitting JOINTS,
warranted not to separate or crackf"
The lad was shrcwd enough to SEQ that
he was made game Of, and disappeared up
the second iiIgnt of stars.
Rap tap.
''Your wood down stairs.7'
Cant say; bring up some. and we will
analyze 1t; disclose its component parts
See II 1t Is labelled, and has an aged ap-
pcarancc. II may bo some lost several
years ago, when fifteenth amendment
citizen resided next to my house. un-
dcrsland he has ''gOt rcllglol.'
That boy did not bring up sample
Again:
WANT the wood brought up?"
"What do you ask ?"
"Twcnty-tive cents"
'11l give you that to stand down at
tho loot OF the stairs the remainder of the
day, and tell every boy you SEQ that it Is
not my wood"
The boy did not accept the offer.
Inc door burst suddenly open, and in
rushed gang of street Arabs.
'Ill bring up your wood for twenty-five
CENTS" ''l'll do it for twenty" ''fiftecn;"
ITEM" Give, and then throw you in a
chromo.'
The dignlfied exponent of justice, with
suppressed homciuai intention. pointed
camly to the coal stove. They slid.
'Can l bring up this wood - inquired
an Ethiopian face thrust in at the door.
"You may"
lie went 10 work industrlousIy, and
soon had 1t all carried up. Then he went
to the lawyer for pay.
did say the WOOD was mine r.
"N-o," and the light suddenly dawncd
through his woody head.
The lawyer had his revenge.
Il person vino enters that hall may be
surprised 10 sec the sign on the door under
the firm name:
'rhls olilce burns coal"