The Coconino weekly sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1896, 1895-12-19

west, and my wife and children want
to enjoy it. Can you come over to my
house right after breakfast and see how
l want it made? Then l want large
wood-shed built this week. Could you
60 on and build it immediately"
John Browning's eyes glistened, and
his face fairly glowed with pleasure
at this unexpected good fortune. He
agreed to come ut once, and when he
sat down to finish his breakfast he
could not forbear saying to his wife and
! children: ~ guess we ar. going to
have jolly good Christmas. Mr.. Pot
ter is rich man, the people say, and
will pay well and promptly for work
done. can earn $50 this week If he
gives me the work he speaks Of"
The effect of the good news Of work
obtained was felt by the whole family.
The children were eXultant and good
tempered as they went of to school.
Mrs. Browning went around with u
light step and cheerful heart singing
at her work. 1t Is wonderful how hope
lightens toll. AS she sang and worked
she thought what comfort and pleasure
the coming $50 would bring. They
could nearly square off with the grocer
and butcher, and consequently enjoy
Christmas that much better. She
thought Of her husband working away
so cheerfully in the cold, his heart full
of the thought of what his wages
would procure for his family, and her
heart blessed him as good, kind hus-
band, and life seemed very sweet and
bright to her. MIR. Browning came
home Mt noon even more full OF good
cheer and hope than when he went
away in the morning. Mr.. Potter
seemed to be n man to whom money
was of small consequence. lie was hav-
ing a wonderfully nice Jumper" made
for his children, and had given orders for
Mr.. Browning to go right ahead and
build the wood-shcd. The children all
rejoiced again over the good news of
work, and exulted in the thought of
generous gifts and a turkey for Christ
mas.
During the week both the grocer and
butcher called around to see about their
bills, and were both assured by Mrs.
browning that they would receive some
money on Saturday night, jnasmuch as
Mr.. Browning had been SO fortunate us
to have steady work all week.
Christmas day came on Sunday, and
it would be necessary to get oil the
gifts and the good things for the Christ
mas dinner on Saturday. The day was
very cold, and John Browning found it
was going to push him hard to get the
wood-shed done by evening. AS he
wished to have little time in which TO
enjoy spending his hard-earned money,
paying what he owed, and in the happy
employment of going with his wife TO
buy Christmas gifts for the children.
he employed fel!ow-workman to as
sist him on Saturday. At noon he made
out his bill to MIR. Potter, and carefully
placed it in his pocket, feeling that it
was as good as so much money. About
five q clock the last nail was driven,
his tools were gathered up and Mr..
Browning went around to the front part
of Mr.. Potter's house to see his employer
and get his pay. Just as he raised his
hand to ring the bell, Mr.. Potter came
out, followed by his wife and children,
all heavily wrapped up, ana evidently
just starting on journey. A large
sleigh stood ut the front gate loaded
with trunks and valises.
II have finished the wood she'd" said
Mr.. Browning. land called TO ask you to
look at it and to present you my bill"
"All right, all right, Mr.. Browning.
but we are just starting to the city to
spend the holidays, and l cannot pay
your bill till l return. which will be in
two or three weeks"
But my family are needing and de-
pending on this money" said Mr..
browning. with sinking heart, land
it would be very inconvenient to wait.
Could you not"
mo use at all in insisting, my dear
fellow" said Mr.. Potter, in tone half
gay, half insulting. II need all the
money have. and more too, now that
] am taking my wife and children to
spend the holidays in the CITY,"
Anger and disappointment flushed
John Browning's face crimson as he
said: ''Mr. Potter, depended on your
prompt payment of this bill or would
not have"
II have no time to parley," said Mr..
Potter-"here, wife and children. jump
in, or we shall be too late for the train.
I tell you 1 can't pay you now" With
this he sprang into the sleigh himself,
and giving an impatient order to the
driver, the sleigh rapidly carried them
out of sight to catch the train already
whistling in the distance.
How suddenly was the bright sky of
the Browning family darkened by this
piece of thoughtless. cruel injustice!
MIR. Browning stood for few moments
irresolute, while feelings Of anger, hui
initiation and disappointment strug-
gled in his heart. The fellow work.
men whom he had employed also waited
for his small pittance, and when Mr..
Browning informed him of the state of
affairs, with an expression of profanity
he threw down the tools he held in his
hands and walked away. But to break
the news to his family was the hardest
of oil. How could he blast their hopes