Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-25
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- ~, and were talking over their
80 IN general. NJ. Browning was .
- nschanic, and in reasonably good
- als.ys made comfortable living
~ ~ vide and i've sturdy children.
- 1aehsgnation Of business and fire.
S-snT ceuGi4ion Of work during the past
- 800 had cramped them greatly in
.~.sV s2airs. Tho children grew %
~ md wanted new clothes 20 often,
IA needed 90 many books, and had
- healthy appetites, that the struggle
= eupply them had, for o long time,
- 8 bard one. Mrs. Browning had
~ I'll her own work and taken in
- sewing besides. Mr.. Browning
NJ voru his old clothes and boots until
~ we're scarcely respectable had left
. otone unturned to get work, and yet,
viihal, tho grocer and butcher were
moosinR him and things looked diseour.
ing generally. As the result of q Reu-
"a suryey of the situation, Mrs. Brown
II sid:
Well, it is evident We can't have
nuoh Christmas, yet / do think We
suQht TO make the children a. happy "a
- oan. 1t does no good TO have them
FL the weight of care, or realize the
kurdens and difficulties Of life az We do;
md %, il you can collect enough mon
q on the small bills due you, think
- ought to get them each some small
present, and that we had better get
turkey il we possibly can"
With this conclusion her husband
aFeed, and they began to count up
What money they might probably de-
pend upon. Mr.. Browning took ont his
account book and pencil and COM
menoed to figure:
"Col. Randall owes me $3.50 balance
for fixing his porch. He is able to pay,
and think can depend ON that. MI.
, smith owes me 30 cents for FIRE board;
Mrs. Jones, the milliner, owes me 81
TOT screen for her window; the new
grocer around the corner owes me &1.25
for making him seat for his wagon,
and perhaps some other piece of work
nay be found between this and Christ
mas. But even II ! get NO work We can
depend on IS with good deal Of Ger
tainty."
Ali good ia comparative. Having
thus concluded to have al happy q
Christmas ~ possible, and also that
they had Is to be happy on, John
Browning and his wife went to sleep
With feeling Of contsntment and hap
ptness which many q rich family plan
ming for costly expenditures might
envy them.
The next morning the ground was
covered with deep SNOW, and while they
eat at their frugal breakfast . loud
knock was heard at the door. On open
ing u Mr.. Browning was met by . portly
and handsome gentleman with . great
overcoat and costly fur COLLAR and
gloves. who asked him IL no was John
Browning the carpenter.
THAT 10 my name and trade, eli"
said Mr.. Browning.
Well, ! want to get You to make a
"jumper" for me right away. We
don't often have such snow - this in
tbs West, and my wife and children
want to enjoy It. Can you come over
to my house right away after breakfast
and zee how want It made ? Then
want q small stable built this week.
Could you 90 and build il imnedi-
John Browning's eyes glistened and
bis face fairly Rlowed with pleasure at
this unexpected good fortune. He
agreed to come at Once, and when he
at down to finish his breakfast he
could not forbear saying to his wife and
children, guess We are going to nave
Jolly good Christmas. Mr.. Potter 10 a
rich man, the people say, and will pay
we'll and promptly for work done. /
can earn $50 this week il he gives me
The work he speaks Of"
The effect Of the good news of work
obtained WAS felt by the whole family.
The children we're exultant and good
Sempered az they went III to school.
Ars. Browning went around with
light step and cheerful heart, singing at
her work. It il wonderful how hope
tikhtens toll. As she sang and worked
ene thought what comfort and pleasure
ne coming SO would give. They could
nearly square Oh with the grocer and
ne butcher and consequently enjey
christmas that much better. She
thought Of her husband working away
g cheerfully in the cold, his heart full
@ Whist his wages would got for his
family, and her heart blessed HIM a. Z
good kind husband. aud life seemed
very sweet and bright TO her.
Nj. Browning camc home at noon
oven moro full Of good cheer and hops
man when he went away in the morn
an&. Mr.. Potter seemed to b q man -
WON money Was OF small consequence.
~ was having q wonderfully nice
Jumper" made for his children, and
bad eiven orders for Mr.. Browning 70
e right ahead and build the stable.
In children all reiOioed again over tho
aood news of work, aud exulted il the
noceAt Of generous gifts and turkey
soe Christmas.
During tho week both the grocer and
butcher called around to 80 about their
eQle, and we're both assured BY Nss.
browninR that they woold receive some
money ON Saturday night, inasmuch -
Mr.. Browning bad heen % fortunate as
70 have otoAdy work I'll week.
Christmas day came On Sunday, and
Is would b necessary 10 got eli tAo eifta
and the gsod thiues for the Christmas
dinner on Saturday. The day vas very
cold, and John Browning found e vas
boing 70 puah bin very hard % Get the
little stable done b. EVENING. Al b.
Wished 10 have little time In which TO
0joy spending his hard earned money,
nying what he owed, and In the happy
e1ploymsnt Of eoine With his wife o
ny Christmas gifts for the children, be
S1sVy0O tOSSOW WVkBUou " INV
IN on Saturday. At noon he made out
~ bill to Mr.. Potter. and carefully put
i b his pocket, feeling that IL wss a.
opod ~ % much money. About fve
9eook the last nail vae driven, his tools
~ gathered up, and Mr.. Browning
Ut around 70 The front part Of M.
teeter's house TO cali for his employer
I'D Pct hin pay. lust - be raised his
- - ring The bell. Mr.. Pottee came
followed By his wife and oAildrsn.
heavfly wrapped up and svideatly
= STARTING On . journey. 4 carriage
- at the frsot ea1e loaded With
u1aks and valisos.
have finished The cable" md Mr..
le.ning and I called 70 81 yo0 70
e and 70 present my bill"
AZ right all right, Mr.. BssvuinR.
s - ars just staxting 70 The city .
- TIE holidays, and oannot pay
- ~! til I return, which viii b q
g three vooka."
1et my family aro needing and d.
1T "a th6 money" aid Mr..
nne. With . einkine heart, "and
n0 b very inoonvsnient 20 wait.
w must tnsist."
-! - - q 81 q insstina. my dse.