The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-01
HOW THE WOOD WAS CUT.

playground group had gathered
about two boys, Sandy Jardine and
Max Guerney. Sandy was tall, strong,
large-featured lad, as opposite as the
poles to the little, 1.-THE, dark youth who
stood near him, looking up in his face
with laughing black eyes.
They We're leaders, these two. each of
his particular clan and respecting their
popularity the school was nearly
divided. A strong rivalry existed be-
tween them. good-natured enough for
the most part, though sometimes verg-
ing toward unfriendliness. just now
Sandy was evidently excited almost
angry. In a foot-race the preceding
Saturday Max had beaten him, gaining
a supremacy which he possibly might
hold.
Eyes, you did whip me, fast
enough Sandy was saying, while
dull red mounted to his cheek; "but,
all the same, I'll whip you to pay for it,
and any day you've mind to set''
"The track was too short" cried one
of Sandy's champions. That's what's
the matter! BY the time Sandy got un-
der Roadway, he had to turn. The walk
was laid out for little fellows"
Considerable laughter followed this
sally, and the little fellow Max,
joined in it heartily.
Come, I'll match you in any way
you like" continued Sandy. ''Come,
now! rowing, riding, running, wrest-
ling-which shall it be? Come! 1 dare
you, Max Guerney?'
A little murmur of approval ran
around the group, and then the boys
waited for Max's reply. Well they
knew he would never refuse dare.
81, as the challenged party, have a
right to choose the weapons?n interro-
gated Max, with side-glance from his
laughing black eyes. "Wel, then, I'll
neither ride, nor row, nor run, nor
wrestle, but I'll saw wood with you,
Sandy, and you may beat me if you
can't
What clamor of high boyish voices
met him!
"Oh, no fooling now!'
"Whose wood?' .'
"Ha! hal har' .... ..
"Tl tell you Max's voice rose
clear above the tumult Pm in earn
est. There's old uncle Nathan Blines
and his wife, poorer than double-dis-
| titled poverty, and nobody to do hand s.
| turn for 'em since Siah died. l saw
Uncle Nathan out chewing at his wood
| pile. You know they hauled him some
cord-wood last winter, your father,
| Sandy, and mine, and two or three 9TH
ers; and made up my mind to 90 over
and saw for him some Saturday, any
| old fal1n1uf FHharafc Nv
near five cords of wood, l guess; and
We'll have somebody divide and meas
ure it for us. Then we'll saw to win;
and if you whip me in it, Sandy, the
next Saturday I'll match you in split
ting and housing it for him. What do
you say?" ........
Sandy joined in the cheers and laugh
ter with the utmost good nature.
"Doner' nodded he. I'm do it,
Up spoke a blue-eyed, wiry little fell
low at his elbow: 5.
"You shan't do the whole of it, Say,
Charley Bugbee, I'll split for Sandy,
and you for MAXI .....
"Agreedr' said Charley.
"And wei wheel in for you two, Art
Humphrey and Ir' declared Sandy's
| DTOlilcT JdCh. w Ou We, All.
"Whew! How far my little candle
throws its beamsn' laughed Max. "rl
tell you, boys; we might have the match
in Uncle Nathan's back yard, charge
fifteen cents or so admittance, and give
Uncle Nathan the money"
"Hoorayr shouted Reub Story.
"My brother works in the Clarendon
Star office, and I'll get him to print
our hand-bills. He owes me ten cents,
anyhow" t'
"Good for you, Reub!" cried Max.
"Grand saving match! Ditto splitting
ditto! Ditto wheeling ditto! Fifteen
cents admittancel Children, full price,
Gate open from ten a. m. to five p. m.
Good enoughr'
Next day the prospective saving
match was noised about town, and a
day or two later the hand-bills were out.
1t made great deal of talk, both
sportive and serious lin the village.
"It's good idea fust-rate ideep'
That was Captain Winty Coolidge, you
might know. 1T Earns the boys that
mixin' kindness to other folks with their
fun don't hurt nothin'. It's with quar-
ter, and I'm a-goin' to pay il. I'm
a-going to pay it!'' w.
There was every indication that the
saving match would be grand success
financially.
81 don't believe the back yard will
hold 'em all,' laughed Max to the
half-dozen boys who, with him, were
taking their homeward way after school
Friday night. "Have you got the tick
cts, Reub?'
"Yes; hundred and fifty of EN-"
"Good! Now all we want is fair
day."
The day proved to be all that could be
desired
Hazy clouds yelled the burning face of
the sun, and there was a brisk, cool
breeze blowing. The saving was to
begin at nine O'clock; and before that
time the board benches ranged around
the backyard fence filled with merry
lookers-on. Uncle Nathan sat in his low,
vine-draped doorway, beaming at ev-
erybody over his brass-bowed specta-
cles. There was Max and Sandy, fresh
and smiling, with their saws; Dick and
Charley with their axes, and Jack and
Arthur with their wheelbarrows. Max's
father stood near, watch in hand.
"Gor' said he.