Wichita eagle., 1888-07-01
MIR. MOUSER'S SAWBUCK.

occupied a charming cottage in the
suburbs of large city in the "Father-
land" His business connections were Of
such a nature that he was usually at
leisure after o'clock in the afternoon.
Mr.. Mouser prided himself on being a
man of originality and brains. Mr..
Mouser also liked a little joke, at other
peoples expense.
1t was autumn. Mr. Mouser had just
laid in q 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 coZy liv
ing room, enjoying royal smoke from
the long stemmed 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 grasped-as ideas quickly
became captive there"
"Lizbeth," said he to his wife, cit is
singular / never thought of it before-I
generally think of such things-but il
strikes me that / could saw that wood
myself''
NGracious! what an idear'
"a bright one, isn't it? A big saving,
tool Just see with what ease it is done
the man cuts through the sticks as if he
were slicing bread and butter; besides, |
require more exercise; my health is not
what it has been"
"Why, dear, do you feel ill?'
t'N-no, but man needs to exert him
self If he does not wish to run down in
muscular power. My habits are too con-
fining; a sense of this fact has been grow
ing on me lately. But have solved the
IL II, La
on his sawjack."
A merry twinkle of the eyes and
laudable endeavor to maintain serious
expression would have convinced the be-
holder that Lizbeth also had ideas, but
like a properly respectful wife she kept
them TO herself until called for.
''Do you think, Lizbeth, that q little
gentle muscular activity is what l need TO
stimulate appetite?"
''You might paint the house or do some
less tiresome work than woodSawing,"
replied Mrs. Mouser.
'Oh, you underrate my capacities, my
dear. And saving wood is not such hard
work. Come and see how simply it is
done, yet how every muscle is brought
into play. am enchanted with my idea,
and shall carry it out The man can
finish this job, but it shall be the last I
ever pay for"
Mr.. Mouser meant business. He at
once ordered the very bess kind of a saw
jack made. He purchased a splendid saw,
with sharp teeth and light frame. He
pranced about, happy as a SOCIOLOGY, with
dabs of yellow and green paint spattered
all over his person, until finally the saw
frame suited him in its bright yellow coat.
The sawiack he painted lovely light
green.
Daily he promenaded impatiently
around the sheds where the wood was
stored, and grumbled because the fuel
lasted so unusually long. AT intervals he
added another coat of green paint to the
highly decorated saving jack c'sawbuck'
it is called sometimes), and babe all his
acquaintance and friends come and in
spect his patent ealisthenie toys, until
every one for miles around became fanlil-
lar with Mr.. Mouser's green saving jack.
At last the longed for day arrived. A
big load of fine hickory had been piled up
in close proximity to the tools of decima.
ton.
Mr.. Mouser was all excitement. He
passed by his amused wife with important
disdain, and scarcely gave himself tins
to devour his dinner, he was SO eager to
be at work.
Nothing more, thanks" he replied, as
his wife wished to repleniSh his cup.
Rising, he fastened to handle his pets
with an ardor that caused Lizbeth to
smile knowingly as she watched him pick
out the very smallest and most slender
cord sticks.
This was great mistake on Mr..
Mouser's part. He should have tackled
the difficult ones first, on the simple but
fruitful theory that custom would have
sweetened his toll with the balm of
greater ease.
N.Y. how the saw rented and the alb
breviated sticks tumbled TO the groundI
Still Lzbeth, who was peeping with
laughter trimming eyes, noticed that at
the third cord stick work seemed to
slacken just a little, but seven were
finished, and Mr.. Mouser came in, de-
claring he felt glorious.
The second day Mr.. Mouser remained
at table a trifle longer. Four cord sticks
in broken lengths licked the dust, how
ever.
Third day-Mr Mouser took time to
glance over The Daily News after dinner.
Record: Three cord sticks.
.'Lizbeth," said he, 81 think I've been
cheated in the saw jack. 1t is not put to-
TO believe. 1t wriggles."
Fourth day-Mr. Mouser toyed over his
dinner extensively. He smoked his pipe
and read the paper. He glanced over his
monthly magazine until dark, and then
started up, exclaimipg:
"Mercyl how short the days aren'
Mrs. Mouser enjoyed the situation in
tensely, but said never word.
Fifth day-Mr. Mouser rose with
sense of injustice resting upon him. All
day he was haunted by the outrageous fate
that made him the owner of a saving
jack.
Ny dear, we require more wood than
usual today and Tomorrow, washing and
ironing days, you know" said Mrs.
Mouser as soon as he got home.
II never saw anything like the way you
women manage to consume fuelV' and
Mr.. Mouser grabbed his hat and strobe
angrily toward the woodpile. a few sticks
fell before the savage manipulation of the
saw, while Mr. Mouser'S snarlinc kept
excellent time 10 the wild motions of the
sawyer.
With a crash he sent the saw flying
over the woodpile- This was too much
His wife was brute to expect him to
work like slave during the few mo-
ments he could cali his own free from
business drudgery. But ii he gave up be
you'd never near the last OF IL uc, Il
.e could only get rid Of that sawiack.
A long time he pondered, at las; smils
of joy Illuminated his face. That night,
after his wife had retired, Mr.. Mouser
slipped out and carried that hated green