Democratic messenger., 1889-04-06

meaning; he really IN his heart wanted
his father TO laugh at him, or get angry
with him, and order him to his work
with threat. Matters did not seem
to improve when Mr.. Pouldcr con-
tinucd:
well, Jim, you needn't finish this
job. / can do IL rs well as you, and l
will leave tho other clcarin' until to-
morrow. You can go on fishin'."
but, fathcr"-
"Ncvcr mind; thct's all right. ! can
do il without help. You can hev a
half holiday"
Tho dumfoundcd lad remained in
the same position until he saw his
father swing tho ax over his head,
and begin cutting up the trees into
proper lengths for cord wood. Then,
abashed by his own boldncss, and
feeling a certain cxultation Of success
in tho encounter, he turned away
from the clearing, and went back TO
the bro6k. From his position on the
grassy bank hc could not see his
father, but he could hear the steady
blows Of the ax on the trees.
The fish were rs plentiful as usual
that afternoon, and several good bites
were made on the bait, but the young
fisherman did not enjoy his sport half
so well as on other occasions. He
trollcd his line about listlcssly, and
paid more attention to the distant
woodchoppcr's heavy. ringing blows
than to the swapping of the spccklcd
trout. Every unusual sound seemed
to startlo him from his rcverie, and
he glanced hastily around toward the
clearing.
The afternoon slowly wancd. and
Jim Pouldcrs memorable half holiday
ran itself out. For three hours he re-
manned seated on the bank of the small
brook, watching the bright leaves on
the trees and the trouts in the brook,
and listening attcntively to the sounds
that came from his fathers az.
About sundown he walked slowly
homcwarl. and stopped at the barn to
feed the animals. But some ono had
already performed his nightly duty,
and the animals were taken care of for
the night. Then he went to do u few
little chores around tho house. and
found that these too had been done by
his father.
"Well. he means TO give me q half
holiday in earnest" Jim muttcrcd, as
he stood just outside of the door before
entering for his supper. II wonder
what he'll say bout il to the supper
table. S'posc I'll licv TO make up fur
it tcr-morrow.
lie gave the stick with which his
favoritc dog was playing "a violent
jerk, and ordered the canine To charge,
in no gentle tones. Then, as If
ashamed ut his show Of anger, he
pattcd the animal on tho head, and
told him to follow him into the house.
If the ovcrworkcd boy expected 10
hear some reference To the days work,
or to his half holiday, he was disap-
pointed. His father and mother both
talked of other things that were quite
foreign TO the subject which was up
pcrmost in Jim's mind. All that even
ing they tried To make things bright
and comfortable for him, but lie felt
moody and ashamed, and at an early
hour he hurried oil TO bed
The following morning was bright
and clear one, and the sun was shining
warmly into The lads sleeping room
before he opened his eyes. Then he
started up with a jump, and made an
exclamation Of surprise rs he looked
out of doors. II was fully o'clock,
and his rising hour had always been
9, while breakfast was invariably
served at half.past 6.
"Gncious sakcs! what's the matter
anyhow he muttercd aloud, as he
hurricdly dressed himself. II didn't
hear any one call me-"
Then, us rcmcmbranccs OF past morn
ings when lie had slept on after being
called rushed through his mind, he
tried to think whether he had repeated
such an oifensc. But. no, hc could not
remember having heard his mother or
father call him that morning. lie
walked down into the breakfast room
u little shccpishly. expecting to be re-
proved severely for his lazincss. But
no one was in the room; his mother
was buSily engaged in her work out
side, and his breakfast was standing
on the table waiting for him. He sat
down immediately and hastily drank
his coffee and munched few rolls.
Then picking up his cap he started for
the barn TO begin his work
Good morning, Jim. Your father
has taken the horses to the mill to-
day." his mother said us she caught
sight of him. You cant go to the
clcarin' today; there's no hurry bout
thct work"
This was another surprise for the
boy, and he stood for several minutes
undecided what TO do. II was so
strange to have the horses fed and
harncsscd up TO tho farm wagon and
taken away TO work before he was up.
and yet stranger still was it 10 be told
that the work in the clearing could
wait until later period.
lie did not know quite how to act,
but, after short hesitation, he turned
to the wood pilo near him and picked
up an ax with the intention Of chop
ping some wood for tho house stove.
lie had not split two sticks before hc
heard his mother calling him again.
We've hired Sandy TO come an cut
up tibet wood, Jim" She said. Your
father thought he could do il better
than you, an then you would hcv less
ter do. Never mind cuttin' il now"
jim slowly dropped the az. Then
iacing his mother, he said. "Wcll.
mother, then let me help you. Don't
you want some work done fur your
"Oh, no, I've very little To do today.
l don't need any help" was the reply.
So Jim Pouldcr was forced into
idlcncsS that day. Everything that he
attempted 10 do, he found that some
body else had engaged to do before
him. Finally, he walked away from
the farm towards the brook. bcwil-
dcred and surprised. He tried 10 in
tercst himself in fishing again, but
after n short trial he flung down his
line with disgust. From the brook he
walked ON Ia the clearing in the woods,
but his ax WAS not in ITS place, and
everything was silent and still After
watching n squirrel at play for time,
he then turned his footsteps towards
al. l. f.s