Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-03-05

the block and put it where the master
would himself be likely to throw it on the
fire-was the only person who knew
Danny had bored the hole, put in the
powder and plugged it, and Jimmy GER
tainly had not betrayed him. Yet Mr..
Parsons did not so much as lift an eye
brow when the thing went off, and, while
the stove pipe was Gathering down, the
stove lid tumbling across the room, the
live Goals scattering over the floor, and
the air full of smoke, ashes and girls
screams, he said with perfect placidity:
Danny Mulveil and James Dunbar
will remain. The other scholars may so
home"
He asked no questions; uttered no re-
proacheS; made no threats. He simply
set the boys to work, repairing damages
and cleansing the school room, punitive
toll of sufficient difficulty to make them
seriously regret their effort to have fun
with him. While they worked. he looked
on, smoking and in silence.
\ dismal-loOking, lean, little man, dress
ed in 4 rusty black suit and threadbare,
long. blue cloak, came in and setting
down 4 square, lcathern portmanteau
that seemed heavy, asked permission to
warm himself at the fire. Laconically
but not unkindly, the master replied:
Certainly and pushed toward him
stool. upon which he sank down, spread
ing his white, numb fingers close to the
glowing stove.
I'm a colporteur, sir" he said, shyly.
Mr.. Parsons nod seemed to reply that
the fact was self-evident, though his lips
did not move.
Il don't suppose have any books you
want?" resumed the little man, tenta-
lively, after short pause.
I agree with YOU"
Il have a volume of very edifying ser
mons by that eminent divine. the Rev.
Mr.. Mucklebane-iust issued"
Pity"
what is a pity"
That they have been issued"
oh. All! Yes. Well. between our
selves. this time l agree with you. The
public does not take kindly TO Muckle-
bane. l have logged a half-dozen copies
of him. for as many days-and he is
very heavy-without selling Il single one"
The speaker edged as close TO the stove
as he could and put his half-frozen feet
upon its base. In a low, dreary mono
tone, he went on:
mo; nobody wants MuCklabane or
much Of anything l sell. And if my sales
are not good, l Starye, for my commits
sionS are very small. Eleven miles l
have trudged to-day and sold nothing
And yesterday it was the same, except
that l sold one Crook in the Lot for
thirty cents. \ young man over on Rob
inSOn's Run would have taken a set of
Doctor Dick if l had had him. but
was loaded up with MucklebaEe and no
Dick. Just my luck. Twenty miles from
Pittsburg, snowStorm coming on and
a boxful of Mucklebane. Perhaps you
would like The Two Sons of OIL by an
eminent Pittsbutg divine, sir
Perhaps l might, but 1 shall never
know whether would or not"
While replying, the schoolmsster took
a silver dollar from his pocket and put
ii into the unhappy cOlporteur'S hand.
What is this for. STRIP the man asked.
doubtingly.
How should know? Whatever you
need most"
The poor fellow hesitated. the hand
that held the money trembled, and a
faint tinge Of color showed in his cheeks.
as he replied:
But II can't accept charity"
1T is not charity. but simply adjust
ment. in some degree. Of accidentally I'M
balanced relations in life"
81 do not understand you"
Il happen TO have, and you happen TO
need. In our common humanity your
need constitutes claim upon me, and
my recognition Of the justice Of that
claim is a duty, not a charity. l do not
say that II you had not honestly tried 10
get along. even TO the desperate extent OF
endeavoring TO force Mueklebane upon q
reflective world. your claim would Dc so