The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-16

courage by the silence that followed. II
amt never grumbled afore, an I've allus
done jes' what We told me to, but it WANT
because didn't feels eff had more'n l
oughter do. There amt many fellers tibet
has to do the work tibet l hev, an there
amt many tibet would do it without maxim
kick. Eff l amt right on hand ies' whenye
want me, there's great stewin' an fussln,
jes' as eff I'd committed some crime. I've
jes' been readin' where young Teller left
home fur good fur jes' such treatment, an
how he made his way up into the world in
another State. He complained bout his
hard lot, but his father wouldn't listen to
to him. Then he ran away"
"You haven't thought Of doin' tibet, hev
you, Jim!" interrupted Mr.. Poulder at this
juucture.
"Yes-n-no, l can't say tibet hev," slowly
replied the lad, wincing before his fathers
straightforward glance.
You think your lot hard then, my boyW
continued his father, with a kindlier look
in his eyes.
"Well, yes, father, hev thought so, but
"You hev too much work, you say? Thet's
your trouh4e?" Then, as if talking to him
self, Mr.. Poulder continued Probably I've
U6Su d llIJlC udTu On JOu, 1nClO hdo
been lots of work to be done on the farm,
an I've only thought of gettin' it through
with. didn't think of you. hev not been
very good father to you in tibet respect
probably, an Pm glad tibet you've opened
my eyes. Poor fellow! he has worked hard
an faithfully, an now he'll hev his re-
ward"
Jim moved uneasily 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 it 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 to morrow. You can go
on fishin'."
But, father"
"Never mind; thet's all right. can do it
without help. You can hev ahalf-holday."
The dImbfounded lad remained in the
same position until he saw his father swing
he trees into proper lengths for cord wood,
Then, abashed by his own boldness, and
feeling a certain exultation of success i'll
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
IL II
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-chopper's heavy, ringing blows
tEan to the swapping of the specified 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 shutdown 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 few little chores around the
house. and found that these too had been
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 pll
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 if 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 early hour
he hurried off to bed
The following morning was 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, andNis rising hour had always been
six, while breakfast was invariably served
at half-past six.
"Gracious sakes! what's the matter any,
how" he muttered aloud, as he hurriedly
dressed himself. II 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 mo- her or father call him that morning
He walked down into the breakfast room a
little sheepishly, 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 tibet 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
l