News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-11-20

Ing Morning.
Seized and taken in execution as the
property of Mrs. Catharine n, and
will be sold for cash by
WILLIAM WARD, Constable.
sIt's up, boys; there 1t is in black
and white" spoke Harry Edwards to
his five companions who stood feaomg
the above notice of sale.
eyes" answered Al. Penrose, "and L
think it a downright shame for a rich
man like Mr.. Bowser to distress a poor
widow"
"Well. boys" interposed Harry,
"she's an honest, hardworklng woman.
1 move we help her out OF the olm-
Guilty"
"Agreed," was the unanimous re-
Spouse.
"But how shall we proceed Z" interro-
gated Al.
'sBy subscriptions from the town.
folks" suggested Willie Parker.
s'No, that will not do" quickly re-
sponded Harry. 'tLet us be indie
pendent of the people. Let me see" ne
continued m~editatively, ''the sale will
take place the day after Thanksgiving.
Suppose we go to work for some OF the
farmers at a cheap rate and caucel the
execution in the ~constable's hands and
present her with the receipt on Thanks
giving morning"
"Hurrah | that's a grand idea +
chorused the boys.
sThere are six of us, and I am told
the amount of rent arrearage is but four
| dollars" continued Harry. "Now, if
we can succeed in prevailing upon some
farmer to give us work until that amount
il. earned &c can satisfy the execution
for her to buy
a few necessary articles"
ssLet's call on Farmer Adkins" said
Willie, ''perhaps he ean find something
for us to do"
"To Farmer Adkins then we gor'
they said.
They found the old farmer in the
barn along with one of his colored men,
busily engaged in Smelling corn. The
six boys crowded into the barn without
the formalities of an introduction.
Farmer Adkins put down his basket of
corn, adjusted his spectacles and
frowned upon the boys. "Well, you
young rogues,'" he grnffiy spoke, you've
stole my apples, and now I presume you
| nave Iu0 luDuuouCO W COu4O duu dSh lOI
bags to take them home in !"
This speech and the manner of his re-
ception somewhat chilled the benevolent
enthusiasm of the boys.
"No, SIR" slowly and nervously re-
sponded Harry. "We do not ask for
apples. We come upon IN Grand of
mercy, and invoke your assistance"
"Why, bless me-" said the farmer, in
surprise, 'the world grows stranger
every day. What can you mean?"
"Why, just this" resumed Harry.
"Mr. Bowser has levied upon the goods
of the widow N. You and every.
body else in the village knows her to be
an honest, Christian woman. But afflic-
ton has overtaken her, and she is un-
able to help herself. Now, we propose
to relieve her distress on Thanksgiving
Day. We have not come to beg. We
do not solicit donations. We came for
work"
"Work! why bless you, children,
there's not much work about a farm in
winter time; but hold on a minute "
spoke up the old farmer briskly. 81
kind oil admire your spirit, and l know
the widow IL be an honest woman: as
YOU say. Now, do you see that rank
of wood?"
eyes, sir" they answered.
care YOU willing to tackle it ano
stick to it until it is all sawed anC
split?"
eyes, sir" more vigorously than be
fore.
"Well. come out here tomorrow
afternoon, which is Saturday, and you'll
- IL Ill, .ool- For I11cinnQQ
The boys thanked him, and noon o
Saturday found them on hand. It
work they went. The old farmer walked
around chuckling to himself, but not
word did he utter to the boys. In the
Deepening twilight the saws ceased, anc
with a loud huzza the boys threw VI
their caps, for the wood-pile had disap
peared, being sawed, split and piled Il
the shed.
whats the damage ?" said the farme
sententiously, as he knocked the ashe
from his pipe.
"We leave the rate of wages to you
own determination" said Harry.
"Well," said the farmer, drawing a
old bag from his pocket, 81 guess it
worth 81 5 apiece, SO here's $3.50
divide between you"
'sHurrah for Farmer Adkins !" ez
claimed Harry, and the others joined il
with a hearty chorus.
On Monday the constable was hunte,
up, the execution satisfied, but he wa
enjoined to keep it a secret and let tn
notice remain.
Thanksgiving Day came, and earl,
sunrise found the boys at the widow
house, and when it was found that tn,
notice had disappeared, and the manner
in which it had been accomplished, tn,
whole village rejoiced, and as Harry re
lated the circumstances to his fathe
and mother at the midday meal that day
of how thankful and humble and re
ioiced the widow was as she lay upol
her sick bed, his father commended him
and in invoking the divine blessing
upon their Thanksgiving dinner, chose
i - :.