The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-03

together. They had been shtngling the
south gable-end of new country
house, and the owner, Boston man,
had Just telephoned down that every
body migns knock off work at three
o'clock SO that those who wished could
take the four o'clock train 10 town.
Most of the gang did wish this before
the Fourth of July and they were near
ly all Boston men who had been sent
down by the building contractor. The
six shinglers came down their ladder
and walked away together Jim Fisher
had his bicycle, but he tTundled ii along
by hand and walked with his mates.
They could still hesr hammers knocking
in the great house where some OF the
boys were lingering TO end off part OF
the standing finish IN one of the lower
rooms. Work was being rushed and
they had set themselves stint, and
1oyally stood by to ciose the thing just
right.
Il never saw house put together so
quick" said sober-looking fellow
named Allison 10 Jim Fisher, who
turned to look back. Quick rooms
parted of, on go the laths, and before
the lathers get out the plasterers step
an. Wonder the paperers don't chase
them right round the four wet walls"
Takes some folks good while to
find out that it's just as cheap to pay
twenty men one day as tbs to pny one
man twenty days." said Jim Fisher.
"There amt many bosses can handle
IN large crew TO good advantage" said
"a wise round-shouldered old man who
wore spectacies at his work and liked
good political argument at noon over
his dinner pail. He was the only one
or the six who lived in the town, and
Charley Burrlll had boarded with him
ali the spring. Charley Burrill was
brisk looking Boston fellow who did a
first-rate weeks work and dressed him
self with noticeable smartness on Sun
day.
you're right there!" said this young
man; troubles apt to be with the boss.
Last Job L was on, we were standin'
round most of our time waitin' an tum-
bl;n' right over one mother. Men come
down from the city with all their solder
furnaces an riggin' TO do piece o the
roofing before the roof was boarded.
There was one of 'em used TO practiSe
Annie Laurie. on cornet under We
stone shed, an miss the same note
every time, tisl one day fellow went
down out o. the third story to break Lhe
old soot horn over his head"
"Wish was boss" said Jim Fisher,
cheerfully.
mo, you don't; not that kind" said
old Thorndke. TELL you I'm older'n
YOU boys be, and I've noticed ever since
l was boy myself that folks always
dore we'll that done their fair days
work, an oil died poor that had a spell
o. thinl<in' they were goin' to get rich
out o. shirkin'. Nothin' for nothins
pretty safe rule"
"Goin' to preach this comm Sunday,
elder?" inquired Jim Fisher, with po-
lite interest.
mo, amt, sir" answered Abel, good
paturedly. "My ambitions all run
toward prac.icin'. I'm goin' to cele-
brate the Fourth o July, though; per-
haps you amt aware it comes to-mor-
row, or do you have a special one o your
own up TO Boston,"
"What are you going to do, elder?"
demanded Jim Fisher. The six men had
fallen into single file along the narrow
footpath, but Fisher stopped and let the
rest go by.
what be goin' to do?" repeated the
Did man, little confused and glancing
Mt Charley Burrll. "Well, sir, my folks
can celebrate rs well us anybody round
here, but 'twould seem plain 10 Boston
folks"
Don't let Charlie spoil his nice new
clothes with snapcrackers," said Jim,
and Charley Burrill- -blushed as was ex-
pected. lie had said early in the day
that he was not going home for the
Fourth. and they all knew the reason.
They had come 10 a turn in the road
and jim Fisher sprang on his wheel and
whirled away leaving everybody TO plod
behind.
'Be careful. Charley!" he shouted,
and young Burrill shouted gayly back
as he went down the lane with Abel
Thorndike. Thorndike's house was on
nhe river bank. and there were some APP
pie trees 10y il and "A little Gower-garden
in front. AS the two men came TO the
gate pretty girl looked out of the win.
dow and threw her sewing on the table
and came out to meet them.
III.
Abel Thorndike sat on his door.
efep after sumner reading the Life OF