Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-05-19
MR.. MOUSER'S SAWBUCK.

SuDUlDS " AZ ldl ~ tllb III lht L
land" His business connections were
of such n nature that he was usually at
leisure after 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
This gave him time TO devote Il great
deal of attention TO his wife and home
and pursuits congenial to a man of his
caliber.
Mr.. Mouser prided himself on being
a man Of originality and brains. Mr..
Mouser also liked a little joke-at 9TH
er peoples expense.
1t was autumn. Mr.. Mouser had
Just laid in a goodly supply of winter
fuel. Wood was chiefly used for this
purpose in the land of Mr.. Mouser's
birth.
Sitting by the window of his cosy
living room enjoying a royal smoke
from a long-stcmined porcelain pipe,
Mr.. Mouser watched the wood-sawyer
plying his trade, made easy by long
habit of handling wood and saw. AS
Mr.. Mouser gazed and pondered, an
idea crept into his head. 1t was grasp
ed as IDEAS quickly became captive
there.
.Lisbeth," said he to his wife, cit is
singular | never thought of it before
! generally think Of such things-but
il strikes me that | could saw that
wood myself"
"Gracious. What an idca!'
"a bright one, isn't it,? A big saw
ing, too! Just see with what ease il is
done-the man cuts through the stick
as if he were slicing bread and butter;
besides, | require more eXercise-my
health is not what il has BEEN
"Why, dear, do you feel HIP"
'N-no; but Il man needs to exert him
self if he does not wish to run down in
muscular power. My habits are too
confirming; Il sense of this fact has been
growing on me lately. But ! have soly-
ed the G,.Hculty while watching that
man play on his sawjack."
A merry twinkle of the eyes and a
laudable endeavor to maintain a seri-
Gus expression would have convinced
the beholder that Lisbeth also had ideas
but like Il properly respectful wife she
kept them to herself until called for.
ado you not think, Lisbeth, hat 9
little gentle muscular activity is what
need TO stimulate appetiteP"
"You might paint the house or dc
some less tiresome work than wood
saving" replied Mrs. Mouser.
ooh, you underrate my capacities
my dear. And saving wood is not sucl
hard work. Come and see how simpl,
it is done, yet how every muscle i
brought into play. | am enchante,
with the idea and shall carry it out
The man can finish this job, but i
shall be the last | ever pay for. Wha
think YOU of it. wifepn
Well laughed the lady, dcmurely
81 think we shall be obliged To live Oh
cold yictuais and wear blankets to kecl
from freezing. But, seriously, dear, i
were YOU | would experiment on
few cord-sticks and assure myself tia
it is ms easy ~ il looks"
That's just like Il woman retorte'
Mr.. Mouser, disaainfully; 'shc never
does anything heroically; she is totally
incompetent IN matters of physical cal
culation. Now, | a see just n wei
rs if ! had stood over that mans saw
jack for an hour the amount of fore,
required to drive n saw through a Stici
of curd-wood. And | declare to YOU
here and now, that | am going to dc
the next load myself. 1t is play-no
tnlnp Dut pay
Lisbcth laughed SO tantalizingly tina
Mr. Mouser turned upon her in a ilurr,
of Indignation. saying:
"You seem to have your doubts, ma
DAMP
"Seeing is believing, sir"
"'Well, you shall see. You ought t
know by this time that l am a mar
with a mind of my own, and when
cay ] I'm going to do n thing | do it
Please bear this in your shallow men
tally, Mrs. Mouser, that |, your hus
band, am determined TO nevermOre pay
one dollar for a wood-sawyer's hire"
81 am afraid | shall have to do n lit.
tie of the wood-sawing myself, then
gravely murmured Mrs. Mouser.
Mr.. Mouser meant business. He al
once ordered the very best kind of !
sawing-iack made. He purchased Z
splendid saw, with sharp teeth and {
light frame. He pranced about happy
as Il school-boy. with daubs of yellow
and green paint spattered all over hi,
person, until finally the saw frame suit.
edhim in its bright red coat. The saw,
jack he painted u lovely light green.
Daily he promenaded impatiently
around the sheds where the wood was
stored, and grumbled because the fue.
lasted SO unusually long. At intervak
he added another Goa of green pain,
to the highly decorated sawing-jack
C"saw-bucko it is called sometimcs),
and babe all his acquaintance and
friends come and inspect his patentcal-
isthenic toys, until every one for miles
around became familiar with MIR.
Mouser's green sawing-jack.
At last the longed-for day arrived. A
big load of fine hickoi, had been piled
up in close proximity 10 the tools OF
defamation.
Mr.. MOuser was all excitement. He
passed by his amused wife with import
ant disdain, and scarcely gave himself
time to deyour his dinner, he was SO
eager to be ut work.
Nothing more, thanks I've replied,
as his wife wished to %replenish his cup.
Rising. he FASTENED to handle his pets
with an ardor that caused Lisbeth to
smile inoWingiy rs she watched him