Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-04-05

the head. The wife of the cobbler was
making an effort to clear off her hus-
bands debt.
At the end of second week second
five shillings was paid, and then har-
vest came on-truly a harvest to the
agricultural laborer, as at that time he
gathers in clothing, and whatever nee
essaries his harvest money will enable
him to procure. All the tradesmen in
the little village We're busy, and even
Jerry was reported to be full-nanded.
But he did not come near the "Oram
Arms for drink.
On the third week Jerry's wife
brought ten shillings, and on the fourth,
fifteen, to the great JOY and satisfaction
of Mr.. Rewitt, whose joy, however,
was alleged by the fear that he had
lost q customer. He resolved to look
Jerry up as soon as another installment
of his account was paid.
Nothing was brought for a fortnight,
and the landlord congratulated himself
on not having hastily sought his absent
customer, who still owed him over a
pound. but the appearance of Jerry's
wife with the balance had the effect of
making him think otherwise. There
was no display In putting down the
money-it was quickly done-but the
the happy light in the woman's eyes
as she took the receipt spoke more
than mere words or actions.
II have been hasty with jerry" said
Mr.. hewitt, when another whole month
had elapsed without Jerry appearing
"He promised to pay at harvest time,
and be did; but have offended him,
and the Green Goose has caught his
custom"
$50 and see him." suggested his wife.
az intended to do so. Here, give
me out Toms boots; they want patch
on the side; it will be an excuse for
my dropping in upon him."
"That isn't much of a job for him,
seeing that you give George Stevens
the Lest of work." said Mrs. Rewitt.
Stevens works better that Jerry"
replied her husband; "you can always
trust him TO do his work when it is
promised, but Jerry keeps the things
for weeks together"
''That is true, but [ have got pair
of boots that want new fronts, and can
wait week or two. Take them"
'I'll take both," said Richard Rev.
lit, nothing like batting your hooks
while you are at it."
Armed for the rec0nquest of Jerry,
the landlord set forth in the morning
that being slack time when he could
be easily spared from heme. Outside
were q couple of loafers, with no money
and no credit. Mr.. Rewitt favored
them with lofty nod Of indifference
As he approached the door he heard
the sound of Jerry's hammer upon
the lapstone, and, to his utter amaze
ment, the voice of Jerry carroling 3
cheerful ditty, which used occasionally
to come out within the tap-room as
the song of the raven. Raising the
latch the landlord of the "Oram Arms"
peeped in.
Good morning, Jerry" he said.
ooh! Is that you, MIR. Rewitt ?" re-
piled Je ry, looking up. Come in"
Jerry looked up, wondrous clean,
and had even been shaved that very
morning. His blue shirt looked clean,
and he actually had collar on.
Mr.. Rewitt was so overcome by the
change that he stood still with his
boots under his arms, forgetting that
they formed part Of his mission.
"You look very we'll, jerry he said
at last.
Never felt better in my life," re-
piled Jerry. 81 wish I could say the
same Of you. You look whitish."
I" have got bit of cold" replied
the other, "and I have been shut up a
good deal with business lately. Trade
has been brisk; but how is it that we
have not seen your"
"Well-the fact is, SIR" said Jerry,
rubbing his chin, 81 have been busy
wiping off your score"
'But, IFS done, man." said Mr.. Rev.
lit, cheerfully; "the door is quite clean
as far as you are concerned"
81 am glad of that"
"Others have got their SHARE" said
the landlord, facetiously," "but think
we could make room for you, if you
look us up"
mo, thanks, sir" returned Jerry, ''I
have had enough of chalking on other
peoples doors and now chalk on my
own"
OuaIk Oh your own!
eyes, sir, have the goodness to turn
round and look behind. There is my
door half full"
It's nice thing to keep account your
SELF" said the landlord, who hardly
knew what to make of it, "for mis-
takes will happen; but"
mo mistakes can happen, sir" in
terrupted Jerry, "for Pm the only
party as deeps that account"
"But who trusts you to do that?"
"Nobody--I trust myself" replied
Jerry. "The marks which were on
your door showed what 1 did drink
and these on mine show what I did
not drink"
A light had got into the landlords
brain and ne had q pretty good idea of
what was coming, but he said nothing.
"That night when you spoke to me
about tho chalks on the door being a
standing disgrace to me was the night
of my waking" continued Jerry. "No
man could have lectured me any bet
ter than you did, and thank you for
1t from the bottom of my heart. As I
left your house l vowed to touch
drink no more, and 1 came home and
told nay wife so, and we both Joined
in earnest prayer that might have
the strength to keep my vow. The
next morning [ went over and asked
George Stevens how l could go about
signing the pledge He helped me
like man-and it was done"
With bis eyes wandering to and fro
between Jerry and the chalk marks on