The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-06-16
HIS DUTY,

and found the keen mir Of the eaTy spring
very trying in their rudely built cabin
few miles out on the plains from the vii
lage. All the time he was about this labor
OF love he WIS thinking Of the fortunate
opening likely to be his that day
He had been searching for something to
do in the village, for matters were getting
serious In their lltte home. The mother
had been sick 80 long, and their expenses
had been so heavy, that the little they had
saved against n time OF need was now com.
pletely gone, Next to nothing remained
for them to Hive upon and, If possible, he
must find work Of some kind to keep actual
want from the door
So for two or three days previous to this
morning he hud been looking for work but
without success He was either too young
or not strong enough, or they had no work
for a boy, and he had become well nigh
discouraged The evening before, how.
ever, just ny he was about TO give up
trying further lor thut day, he had stepped
into the store OF Field Il Swinburne. hard
ware dealers, and asked II they needed
boy, He was shown into the Office where
he found Mr.. Swuburne alone
That gentleman after making some in
quires as to Bennie's age and where be
lived said
"Yes, we do need a boy, but Mr., Field is
now out Of town You may come tomor
row morning ut 0 o'clock, and we will see
what can be dnue for You Mind, now, and
be on time, as we shall hire the first boy
that comes along
What wages would you be apt to payS'
Beuuie veutured TO ask.
"0hl two or three dollars week." nm.
swered Mr. Swinburne carelessly ut de
pends altogether on how well you work"
So Bennie built the fire and busted him.
self in cooking the potatoes-all that they
had for happy Mt the prospect
before him, and sure that he would do his
best to earn the highest wages suggested
On that amount he felt confident his moth
or and himself could with proper care.
live comfortably until she was able TO work
again.
The breakfaSt--if II dish Of potatoes can
be called breRkiast,-once ready, he went
10 the door oiihis mothers room aud called
her.
"0nly think, mother" he exclaimed, az
they sat down at the table, "lm to have
work today and II I'm worth it Pm to
have three dollars n week, aud thatll be
enough for us to live OH
Eyes, indeedp responded his mother
"But fear you are too young to under
take 80 much, above all, to take your long
walk after each days work.
"0h, can stand it easily enough mo-
ther," he asserted confidently,
When the poor little meal was finished
he brought in several huge Rrmfus Of
wood, and arranged as fur as possible for
his mothers comfort throughout the day.
and then put on his coat and started
Here is your scarf, Bennie," said his
mother calling him back. ut will be
chilly as you walk home tonight, and you
will need IT,"
He laughingly took It, not realizing then
how 1t would be Of special service to him a
little later, N
1t was not yet o'clock, aud be had
ample time to reach the village before the
appointed hour The most direct way was
down the railroad track, and he hurriedly
tripped over the ties, as happy as a boy
could well be
Within II mile OF the village theatrack
made a, sharp turn TO the right and entered
what was known as Hehwayls cut. where
the roadbed had been blasted through solid
rock for number Of rods Az Bennie
reached the curve he, ~ a precaution,
glanced Along the track TO be sure the S;i5