The Republican journal., 1899-01-19
While Lois was wondering why the
story Of the waiting tram should SO elate

most los, speculative way, Fifty cents for
ham sand wich''
Then Lois knew; he was thinking OF the
four hams that hung in the garrett
81 didn't mention ham y returned
Orrip, shortly, ''but they're hungry
enough to eat any critters sandwich.
Orring had finished and must be OIL
Iii you can get up anything tor those
folks to eat, you better take IL over
there" he said. "They'll pay you we'll
for it. They were breaking into the bag
gage car when left. Prospect is-unless
there a thaw we'll have to stay till the
Relief puts in. They've started one, OF
course, but she's stuck somewhere
The moment he had gone Mr.. Briskett
turned to his wife.
"Lois, L We an idee-"
81 know, those hams, you're going to
sell them to the train folks. | saw it in
your eyes. But where are we to get
more?'' inquired the housewife. ''We
know what we are eating when we have
our own corn fed pork
"Money'll buy more-buy anythingt'
Her husband was walking the floor with
whole, Lois, but make them into sand
set some bread, whilst | step over to the
railroad and see how things are.'
Lois suggested that it wonld be no easy
matter to step over such drifts as lay be-
tween the farmhouse and cars, but Eben
had planned for this. He would rig up
an ancient pair of snow shoes that were in
the lumber room. So, very soon after
Grim departure, Eben essayed to follow
in his tracks.
$50 up stairs and see me skim the
drifts,' he said, galy,
Mrs. Briskett had scarcely reached the
outlook when she heard a muffled groan,
and all she could see of her other half
was the shoes and his spindle legs-he
had lost his balance and toppled over
upon his nose Mrs. Briskett feared he
would suffocate but he struggled TO Ills
feet; and after some practice, finding that
he could manage the shoes, started for
the railroad with renewed courage.
An hour later Mr. Briskett returned.
He had interviewed the committee on
supplies, who said they would be glad of
any food, for they had only enough to last
a few hours longer. Mr.. Briskett now
saw the way clear to a great money max
ing opportunity, ''the biggest chance
that'll probably ever be throwed in our
way, Lois? | told him we'd fix 'em up
by morning; didn't say what,
lest somebody else get our idee. SO you
better put on the rest o the hams"
''What in, for PHYS sake, Eben? There
isn't kettle nearer n the sap house
would hold all them hamsr'
Haven't we wash biler?n inquired
Eben.
''Cook in thatn' gasped the neat house
keeper.
''Why not? Isn't this special occasion,
what got to be looked at ont O. ordinary
lights?" gueried Eben, severely. ''Be We
a. goin' to starve all them poor suffering
folks because it isn't fashionable to use
clothes bilers?'
so on went the Monday receptacle for
clothes, and soon an oyerpowering odor of
smoked pork filled the house.
''We must heat up the brick oven,"
said Eben, with that and the stove we
can cook all the bread we Il need"
''Of course they expect to pay us some
thing for all this trouble?N observed Mrs.
Briskett.
ooh, yes, l had that understood. ] feel
for folks that S stuck in the snow as they
be, - reasoned Mr.. Briskett, to quiet OBJ
truding scruples about thus specializing on
the miSfortunes of others. LAS | says to
the Commirtee@ -accenting the la sylla-
ble-''if it was only lunch for two or
three, we shouldn't hear o taking pay;
but we re poor, and when 1t comes to
feeding numbered OF two people it S diff
ferent! SO not sandwich will they get for
less than fifty cents. And one hundred
sandwiches at a half a dollar apiece is
fifty dollars, Lois-not bad for one days
work!
Lois thought they ought to be satisfied
with twenty-five cents apiece, but her
husband was on the war path of new
speculation, and, therefore, memorable.
1t took the Brisketts all night to manu-
facture and pack the sandwiches in
clothes basket. Early in the morning MI.
Briskett started with them. He had in
his coat pocket small salt bag, in case
they paid in silver.
You needn't worry" he said, as Lois
feared the shoes would trip him up again.
II We got the hang ont now, l know how
to step"
Bot he soon found that there was diff
ference between carrying only himself and
a load of provisions; the accident of the
was repeated with added momen-
tum. 1t seemed to Mrs. Briskett that the
air was filled with-not snow-but strug-
Cling snowshoes and flying sandwiches.
ooh, Eben, you've gone over againn'
she screamed, land all them ham sand
wiches, too"'
1t required skill to right Mr. Rriskett
and collect the provisions. An old bow
sled was utilized, and Mr.. Briskett again
sailed forth.
81 shall camp down on the lounge
whilst your re gone" said Mrs Briskett.
81 never was SO beat out. Watching with
sick folks is nothing to what I've been
through withn'
''Do try and get wink or two of Sleep"
rejoined Eben; 81 shall want We to help
count the money when | come back
In surprisingly short time Eben re-
turned, looking decidedly cross; the bas-
ket was still on the sled, it's contents I'M
touched.
"Didn't they want emp" inquired Lois,
family.
"They want 'em bad enough" said the
wrathfui Eben, ''but they wasn't willing
to give over quarter. Let 'em stay there
and sweat in the snow awhile, till they'r re
ready to pay my price. Let them sand
wiches be, Lois; they II keep in the snow.
There II be a committee round here afore
long ready to snap EN- up at fifty cents.
And so the sandwiches stayed on the
bow sled while Eben watched the railroad
from the windows. About noon smoke
was seen in the distance, and shortly after