Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-01-07
STORY OF A SATURDAY.

The place where we first met our
hero il n grass-plat about twenty feet
square, bordcrcd on one side by n barn
20 wcnther-beaten that il looks black,
on another by the clothcs-line, and on
the third by u path. The fourth side
was filled up by pile Of apple-tree
wood. Upon large limb, gnarled and
twisted, and with dried leaves and the
remains Of what had once been pink
tinted apple blossoms, sat Gen. Scott.
A queer position for the renowned
military individual, did you say? Well
his general was n little l0-year.old boy
named Scott by his grandfather, an
admirer Of the original Winfield. The
rest of the family had, by common
consent, dubbed him 'The General. +"
said he was about ten years old
didn't !? Yes. Well, imagine boy
that age, with black eyes, nut-brown
complexion, ruddy checks, and white
head closely cropped, after the manner
OF the day--to say nothing of state
prison convicts. So you have my hero.
His uniform was not much to speak
Of. II consisted of blue checked shirt,
y pair Of brown trousers worn to u
light snuff color about the knees, and
il hat which had little crown and less
brim. The only things warlke in the
surroundings were the little ax leaning
against the chopping.stump, and the
mir Of red flannel undcr-drawers dang
ling from the clothcs-linc with n llag-of
defiance mir,
Az for the general, at the time Of
which speak he was deeply engaged
in the soul.absorbing labor of taking n
chip between his toes and laying il
upon the chopping-block. Several
times he had tried this but with no
succcss AT Inst the grimy toes depos-
tcd the chip upon the block, and the
brown legs crossed themselves com
placcntly, Their owner then drew
from out Of his pocket n bit Of maple
sugar, which he began to MUNICH with
great gusto. Just then u voice from
the neighboring white house called ont
"So0HY' The maple sugar, now re-
dueed to u mass Of sickness, was
hastily tucked into one side of lis
mouth and, in voice exceedingly
liquid, the general replied, "Ma'nml'
Have you split any ofthc wood YETI"
and the questioner, small slight wo-
man, with snowy hair and gentle brown
eyes, came down tho pnth and paused
by hechopping block, 'ANhy arc you
not workng2" continued the little We
man. you've been out here qunror
of mn hour, and not n blow have
heard you strike"
The Generals blnek brows contracted
IL don't carcm he said angrily, 81
cav never get this hntelul pile split
ts no use trying"
"You might have been done long
ago had YOU not played with the boys
so much"
"WellJ aclNtiazard and Billy MoEyoy
dom hpvo 70 split woed-not even
kind b besaid in injured tones.
TN. Fpod IL not hard to chop, and
| think w much better for boy TO
have alittle employment than to idle
away his time"
I'm sure so TO school grandma"
Yes; but surely one hours work ON
Saturday will not iniurc You, and that
is all the work you have to do that day"
said the old lady, kindly. Then NJ the
Generals fnco still looked ullcn, she
continued "My dear, do YOU think
you would be perfectly happy il you
had u Saturday all to YOURSELF"
Rather guess | would, " he said ON
phatcally,
"Thcn | will give you next Saturday,
upon one condition that MS you nro
70 do nothing for anyone, no one is to
do anything for you, Do You ngrceY'
"Ofcoursc. But can really do Just
what | want, and 20 where pleasep"
Yes provided you do nothing nh
solutely rash"
"Goodyf and the General turned
somersault, and uttered.a wnr-whoop
that made his grandmn's ears ring.
The next Saturday dawned bright
and clear. But Scott didn't rise very
early, He lay u long time in his little
white bed making plans for the days
enjoyment
"GraniWa said might do Just rs
please; so I'm going to stay IN bed IA
long rs J want to, How jolly, not to
hear Hannah yell out scott, get up
After awhile however, the cravings
ofhungcr hogan to hc felt, and he
arose and dressed himself.
We most always have mullins,
ham and eggs OF Saturday" lie said,
rs lie went down stairs. smuckng his
lips in anticipation. Entering the
dlnmg-room, what was his surprise to
find the breakfast things cleared away
and the table covered with its custom.
nry Turkcy-red spread Going out on
the porch he found his grandmother
sewing.
Good morning" she said, pleas
antly.
Good momin' Where's breakfast,
grandma
Breakfast Oh, We had that long
ago
But is ii all cleared awayg'
presume So. heard Hannah
washing the dishes little while ago,
quietly.
But can't | have anything 10 cat n
in aggreved tones.
Yes
Then I'll have Hannah Tx me
something on the Kitchen table no,
Ill have her bring il out on the piazza;
it'll be 80 much more pleasant said