The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-07-31
A HARD-WoRKED BOY.
The Reason Why Jacky Didn't Go Fish
ing.

"Now, Jacky, I'll tell you what
chores you have to do this morning. "
"Oh, dear!" walled Jack, Il want to
90 fishing, right of. :"
"You can 60 fishing. All you have
to do won't take you more than half an
hour if you hurry"
Il hate to do Chores" said Jack.
"Of course you do. Every body
knows that. But chores have to be
done, and it is good thing for small
boys to have something to do
Eyes, yes" said Jack. Every body
thinks small boys ought to work all the
time"
"You are to carry this pail of cream
over to Mrs. Lees"
Its ever so far"
lit is scarcely half mile. And cut
a basket of kindling, and dig enough
potatoes for dinner
II hate to dig. It always makes my
back ache. And hate to split kin.
dlings; I most cut myself the other
day."
Here's the cream"
otis such splendid morning for
fishing"
Jack whined dolefully as he took
the small pail and went through the
back yard.
Chores, chores!" he grumbled.
II do believe they think boys were
made for nothing else but to do chores.
I shall be all tired out before l go
fishing. If mother d ever been boy
and had to do chores she'd know
Hannah, the girl that helped in the
kitchen, was in the yard, and Jacks
remarks had been half to her and hall
to himself.
"Do you think your mother has nc
chores to do, them" asked Hannah.
''Of course she hasn't" said Jack.
ibid you ever see her piling wood, or
running errands, or driving the cows,
or cutting kindling?"
did you ever see her making bread
or pies or cakes for little boys to eat?"
asked Hannah. Ibid you ever see her
making butter and cheese and soft
soapP Did you ever see her sweeping
and busting and making boys beds:
Did you ever see her making pants
and coats and mending stockings and
sewing on buttOns?"
Here, Watch, Watch, Watchr
called Jack, as he turned into the lane.
II believe I'll hitch Watch to the
little cart and make him draw me, y
said Jack. He's u lazy fellow. and
ought to be good for something"
Jack set his pail down and hunted in
the barn for some straps and strings.
By the time he had found enough,
Watch was gone, and had to be hunted
up again. It took some time to har-
ness him in, and then he showed, as
he had often shown before, that he die
not enjoy being turned into u horse.
"Get up, Watch! Behave yourself,
| Sfys OuCh CCdtCu LII VIC Sbl "
and ordered Watch to go on. Then
Watch came to dead stand still unit
Jack got out and led him, when HI
would start off on brisk run. ant
Jack would jump into the cart. Blu
the moment he felt the small boy
weight Watch again came to a halt
After this had taken place about
dozen times, the cream, strange to say
arrived safely at Mrs. Lees.
| Jack worked his way home as he ha,
come, and turned his dismal face to
ward the woodward.
Il never did like to chop kindling.
don't see why Hannah uses up such Al
awful lot of it. don't see why sh'
can't cut it herself. Stop now-ther
are some good pieces lying here
Thatll be so much less to cut"
He bounced on some small bits G
wood, and then began looking 70
more.
| Perhaps can find enough withou
cutting mite"
Up and down the yard went Jacl
carefully picking up chips and sma
bits of wood. He found long stick
and, with much labor, broke it int
short pieces with his hands. He turne
over some heavy sticks of wood TO fin
a few bits which lay under them. II
spent good deal of time breakin
splinters from the hard wood, gettin
many silver into his fingers
Il do dec lare. I've most got N
basket FULL he at length said: II
finish with some of these dry bush
over ON that heap in the corner.
i The bushes were thorny and hard
get at, but in the course of time Jat
had the satisfaction OF seeing his bask
filed.
Now for the potatoes. / think j
ought to dig the potatoes. It's drea
fully hard work to dig. I believe
get my bait first. and then ! shall be
ready 70 go aahlag''