St. Landry democrat., 1888-04-21

| little gentle muscular activity is wl,a
lneed to stimulate appetite9'
you might paint the house or dc
saving" replied Mrs. Mouser.
"Oh, you underrate my capacities,
my dear And saving wood is no
such hard work. Come and see how
simply it is done. yet how every
muscle is brought into play. I an
enchanted with my 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. domure-
ly, Il think we shall be obliged tc
live on cold victuals aud wear blan
kets to keep from freezing Bat, seri
ously, dear, you had better consider
what hard labor you are planning for
yourself If / were you l would ex,
pertinent on few cord-sticks and as
sure myself that it is as easy as it
looks"
That's just like womanr' retort-
ed Mr.. Mouser. disdainfully; ''she
never does any thing heroically; she
is totally incompetent in matters of
physical calculation. Now, / can see
just as well as if l had stood over that
mans saw-jack for an hour the
amount of force required to drive a
saw through a stick of corl-wood.
And | declare to you, here and now.
that | am going to do the next load
myself 1t is play-nothing but
play!' ..... .=...
Lis beth laughed so tantalizingly
that Mr. Mouser turned upon her in
furry of Indignation, saying:
You seem to have your doubts,
madam as..
Seeing is believing, sir!'
"Well, you shall see. You ought to
know by this time that / am a man
with mind of my own, and when l
say I am going todo a thing do it.
Please bear this in your shallow men,
tality, Mrs. Mouser. that l. your hus-
band, am determined to never more
pay one dollar for a wood-sawyer's
hire "
Il am afraid / shall have to do
little of the wood-sawing myself,
then,' gravely murmured Mrs. Mou-
ser.
Mr.. Mouser meant business. He at
once ordered the very best kind of a
sawing-jack made. He purchased
splendid saw, with sharp teeth and Il
light frame. He pranced about hap
py as school-boy, with daubs of yell
low and green paint spattered all over
his person, until finally the saw frame
suited him in his bright yellow coat
The saw-jack he painted lovely ligh;
green.
9 Daily he promenaded impatiently
around the sheds where the wood was
stored, and grumbled because the fuel
lasted so unusually long. At inter-
walls he added another coat of green
paint to the highly decorated saving
jack ('saw-hu ck' it is called some
times), and bade all his acquaintances
and friends come and inspect his
patent calisthenic toys, until every
one for miles around became familiar
with Mr.. Mouser's green sawing-jack. |
At last the longed-for day arrived A
big load of fine hickory ad been piled |
up in close proximity 10 the tools of
1eeimation.
MIR. Mouser was all excitement. He
passed by his amused wife with inn
Dortant disdain, and scarcely gave
himself time to devour his dinner, he
was so eager to be at work.
Nothing more. thanks y he replied.
Us his wife wished to replenish his
,up. Rising, he fastened to handle
n1s pets with an ardor that caused
4isbeth 10 smile knowingly y as she
him pick out the very SIN all
st and most slender cord-sticks.
That was great mistake on Mr..
douser's part He should have tackled
lifficult ones first, on the simple but
ruilful theory that custom would
AVE sweetened his toll with the balm
# greater ease.
My! how the saw rented, and the
bbreviated sticks tumbled to the
round! Sill, Lisbeth, who was
'eeping with laughter brimming eyes.
oticed that at the third cord-stick
work seemed to slacken just q little;
nut seven were finished, and Mr..
louser came in, declaring he felt
lorious.
The second day Mr.. Mouser re-
nained at table trifie longer. Four
in broken lengths licked
he dust, however.
Third day Mr.. Mouser took time
J glance over the daily news after
inner. Record. three cord-sticks.
.Lisbeth, " said he, II think I've
cen cheated in that saw-jack It's !.
Of put together on as practical a plan ;
} was led to believe. It wiggles.
Fourth day Mouser toyed over
is dinner extensively. He smoked :
IS pipe and read the paper. He
lanced over his monthly magazine
ntil dark, and then started up. ex-
aiming: j.
Mercy! how short the days are!''
Mrs. Mouser enjoyed the situation
tensely, but never said,a word.
Fifth day-Mr Moaser hose with a
-, g a <,f; - |