The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-03-16
hare, lot. but his father wouldn't listen to

replied the lad, w,nCing before his fathers
straightforward glance.
"You think your lot hard then, my boyf'
continued his father, with kindlier look
in his eyes.
"Well, yes, father, hcv thought so, but
"You hev too much work, you sayl Thet's
your troublel' Then, MS II talking to him
self, Mr.. Poulder continued: "Probably I've
been little hard on you, Jim. There has
been lots Of work to be done on the farm,
an I've only thought of gettin' 1t through
with. didn't think OF you. hev not been
q very good father to you In thet respect
probably, an I'm glad thet you've opened
my eyes. Poor fellow he has worked hard
an faithfully, an now he'll hev his re-
ward"
Jim moved uneasiiy against the tree, and
wished that his father had been a little
more angry with him, and wouldn't talk so
kindly about him. Somehow the turn of
affairs did not quite suit him, and he wished
that IL had been different. He felt that his
father had not quite understood his mean
ing; 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.. Poulder
continued:
"Well, Jim you needn't finish this job.
can do it as well as you, and will leave the
other clearin' until tomorrow. You can 20
ON fishin'."
"But, father
"Never mind; thet's all right. I can do it
without help. You can hev ahalf-holiday"
The dumbfounded lad remained In the
same position until he saw his father swing
the axe over his head and begin cutting up
he trees into proper lengths for cord-wood,
Then, abashed by his own boldness, and
feeling certain exultation of success in
the encounter, he turned away from the
clearing, and went back TO the brook. From
his position on the grassy bank he could not
see his father, but he could hear the steady
blows of the axe on the trees.
The fish were as 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 trolled his line about list
lessly, and paid more attention to the dis
tant wood-choppers heavy, ringing blows
than to the swapping of the speclfled trout.
Every unusual sound seemed to startle him
from his reverie, and he glanced hastily
around toward the clearing.
The afternoon slowly waned, and Jim
Poulder's memorable half-holiday ran itself
out. For three hours he remained seated
on the bank of the small brook, watching
the bright leaves on the trees and the
trouts in the brook, and listening attentively
to the sounds that came from his fathers
axe. About sundown he walked slowly
homeward, and stopped at the barn to feed
the animals. But some one had already
performed his nightly duty, and the animals
were taken care of for the night. Then he
went to do a few little chores around the
H. 4I,,t t~, bod 11An,,
done by his father.
"Well, he means to give to give me half
holiday in earnest" Jim muttered, as he
stood just outside the door before entering
for his supper. 81 wonder what he'll say
bout it to the supper table. S'pose I'll
hev to make up fur it ter-morrow."
He gave the stick with which his favorite
dog was playing violent jerk, and ordered
the canine to charge, in no gentle tones
Then, as il ashamed at his show Of anger, he
patted the animal on the head, and told him
to follow him into the house.
If the overworked hoy expected to hear
some reference to the days work, or to his
half-holiday, he was disappointed. His
father and mother both talked Of other
things that were quite foreign to the sub
ject which was uppermost in Jim's mind.
All that evening they tried to make things
bright and comfortable for him; but he felt
moody and ashamed, and at an carly hour
he hurried Off to bed.
The following morning was q bright and
clear one, and the sun was shining brightly
into the lads sleeping room before he opened
his eyes. Then he started up with jump,
and made an exclamation of surprise as he
looked out of the doors. 1t was fully nine
o'clock, and his rising hour had always been
ci tyhiln hrauxflGf inynrinblV Sarvp1
at half-past six.
"Gracous sakeS! what's the matter any
how" he muttered aloud, as he hurriedly
dressed himself. ~ didn't hear any one
call me-"
Then, as remembrances OF past mornings
when he had slept on, after being called,
rushed through his mind, he tried to think
whether he had repeated such an offense.
But no. he could not remember having heard
his mother or father call him that morning.
He walked down into the breakfast room a
little sheepshly, expecting to be reproved
severely for his laZiness But no one was
in the room; his mother was busily engaged
in her work outside, 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, as she caught sight of him.
"You can't go to the clearin' to-day; there's
no hurry bout thet work."
This was another surprise for the boy, and
he stood for several minutes undecided what
to do. 1t was so strange to have the horses
fed and harnessed up to the farm-wagon
and taken away to work before he was up,
and yet stranger still was it to be told that
the work in the clearing could wait until a
later period.
He did not know quite how to act, but,
after short hesitation, he turned to the
wood-pile near him, and picked up an axe
with the intention Of chopping some wood
for the house stove. He had not split two
sticks before he heard his mother calling
again.
the wood, Jim," she said. "Your father
thought he could do it better than you, an
then you would hev less ter do. Never mind
cuttin' it now"
Jim slowly dropped the axe. Then facing
his mother, he said: swell, mother, then let
me help you. Don't you want some work
done fur youl"
10, no, I've very little to do to-day. i
don't need any help" was the reply.
So Jim Poulder was forced into idleness
that day. Every thing that he attempted to
do, he found that somebody else had engaged
to do before him. Finally, he walked away
from the farm towards the brook, bewil-
deredI and surprised. He triedto interest
himself in fishing again, but after short