The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-06-09
MIR. MOUSER'S SAWBUCK.

MR.. MOUSER'S SAWBUCK
Mr. Mouser and his merry little wife
occupied charming cottage in the
suburbs of large city in the Father
land" His business connections were
of such nature that he was usually al
leisure after o'clock in the afternoon
This gave him time to devote a 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 little joke-at 9TH
er peoples expense.
It was autumn. Mr.. Mouser had
just laid in 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 royal smoke
from a 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. It was grasp
ed-as ideas quickly became captive
there.
.sLisbeth," said he to his wife, ait is
singular never thought of it before
l generally think of such things-but
it strikes me that l could saw that
wood myself"
"Gracious! What an ideal"
"a bright one, isn't it? A big saw
ing, too! Just see with what ease it 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 it has BEEN
! why, dear, do you feel ill?"
"N-no: but man needs to exert him
self if he does not wish to run down in
muscular power. My habits are too
confining; sense of this fact has been
growing on me lately. But have solv-
ed the difficulty while watching that
man play on his sawjack."
A merry twinkle of the eyes and a
laudable endeavor to maintain seri-
Gus expression would have convinced
the beholder that Lisbeth also had ideas;
but like properly respectful wife she
kept them to herself until called for.
''Do you not think, Lisbeth, that a
little gentle muscular activity is what
l need to stimulate appetizer
'You might paint the house or do
some less tiresome work than wood
saving" 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. l am enchanted
with the idea and shall carry it out.
The man can finish this job, but it
shall be the last ever pay for. What
think you of it, wife?"
"Well," laughed the lady, demurely,
81 think we shall be obliged to live on
cold victuals and wear blankets to keep
from freezing. But, seriously, dear, if
l were you | would experiment on a
few cord-sticks and assure myself that
it is as easy AS it looks"
That's just like woman!" retorted
Mr.. Mouser, disdainfully; ''she never
does anything heroically; she is totally
in matters of physical cal
culation. Now, | can see just az we'll
as if l had stood over that mans saw
jack for an hour the amount OF force
required to drive saw through stick
of cord-wood. And / declare to you,
here and now, that | am going to do
the next load myself. 1t is play-no-
thing but play!"
Lisbeth laughed SO tantalizingly that
Mr.. Mouser turned upon her in furry
of Indignation, saying:
"You seem to have your doubts, ma
DAMP"
''Seeing is believing, sir!''
"Well, you shall see. You ought to
know by this time that l am man
with mind of my own, and when 1
say am going to do thing do it.
Please bear this in your shallow men-
tality, Mrs. Mouser, that ], your hus-
band, am determined to neyermore pay
one dollar for a wood-sawyer's hire. ;"
81 am afraid l shall have to do lit
Tie of the wood-sawing myself, then,
gravely murmured Mrs. Mouser.
Mr.. Mouser meant business. He at
once ordered the very best kind Of
made. He purchased
splendid saw, with sharp teeth and
light frame: He pranced about happy
as school-boy. with daubs of yellow
and green paint spattered all over his
person, until finally the saw frame suit
ed him in its bright red coat. The saw
jack he painted a 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
ne added another coat OF green pant
TO the highly decorated sawingg-jack
("saw-buck" it is called sometimes),
and bade all his acquaintances and
friends come and inspect his patent cal
sthenic toys, until every one Tor miles
around became familiar with Mr..
Mouser's green sawing-jack.
At last the longed-for day arrived: A
Dig load of fine hickory had been Piled!
up in close proximity to the tools OF
lecimation.
Mr.. Mouser was all excitement. de
passed by his amused wife with import
int disdain, and scarcely gave himself
time to devour his dinner, he was SO
Eager to be at work.
s.Nothing more, thanks" he replied,
Is his wife wished to replenish his cup.
Rising, he fastened to handle his pets
With an ardor that caused Lisbeth to