The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-07-04

ouSA WILL OluIl tnlQK OF you
l hev not been a very good father to
You In tibet respect, probably, an I'm
glad tibet you've opened my eyes.
POor fellowl 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
1t had been different. He felt that his
father had not quite understood his
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.. Poulder con-
tinued:
well, Jim, you needn't finish this
job. l can do it as well as you, and I
Will leave the other clearin' until to-
morrow. You can 60 on fishm'."
"But, father
"Never mind; thet's all right lean
do it without help. You can hev a
half holiday"
The dumfounded lad remained in
the same position until he saw his
father swing the ak over his head,
and begin cutting up the trees into
proper lengths for cord wood. Then,
abashed by his own boldness, and
feeling a 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 ak 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 Istlessly, and
paid more attention to the distant
woodchopper's heavy, ringing blows
than to the swapping of the speckled
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 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 attentively to the sounds
that came from his fathers ak.
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 a few
little chores around the house, and
found that these too had been done by
his father.
''Well, he means to give me a half
holiday in earnest" Jim muttered, as
he stood just outside of the door before
entering for his supper. II 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 a 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 boy expected to
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
permOst in Jim's mind. ALI that even.
ing 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 a bright
and clear one, and the sun was shining
warmly into the lads sleeping room
before he opened his eyes. Then be
started up with a jump, and made an
exclamation of surprise as he looked
out of doors. 1t was fully 9 o'clock,
and his rising hour had always been
6, while breakfast was invariably
served at half-past 6.
Gracious sakes! what's the matter
anyhow" he muttered aloud, as be
hurriedly dressed himself. II didn't
hear any one call me-"
Then, as membranes of past morn
ings when he had slept on after being
called rushed throug h his mind, be
tried to think whether he had repeated
such an offense. But, no, he could moi
remember having heard his mother OF
father call him that morning. He
walked down into the breakfast room
little sheepishly, expecting to be re
proved severely for his laziness. 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 sal
down Immediately and hastily drank
his coffee and munched few rolls
Then picking up his cap he started fol-
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' today; there's no hurry bout
tibet work"
This was another surprise for the
boy, and he stood for several minute:
undecided what to do. It was 81
strange to have the horses fed anc
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 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 AK with the intention of chop
ping some wood for the house stove.
He had not split two sticks before he
heard his mother calling him again
s'We've hired Sandy to come an cut
up tibet 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"