The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-05-13

I'll run you down in the Ford right
now, and we'll look it over. And
I'll be on hand at seven sharp to-
morrow mornin' ready to begin.
"I'm not a union man, though
I've nothin' at all against those that
is. But I've been my own master
too long now to be willin' to take
orders. If want to quit at noon
and 60 fishin' off the point, I quit.
If feel like workin' till seven at
night to finish somethin' l set out to
do, work. And I work honest. No
one ever complained of house
built by Tom Littlefield. Let's CO."
Then, and then only did Don
speak. He said, with discretion
learned of marriage: "But we'll
have to know something about the
cost, Mr.. Littlefield. This wife of
mine has a prejudice against rum
ming bills"
The carpenter raised a rugged,
protesting hand.
'That'n be all right. You're hon
est folks, and I'm not worryin' about
my pay. This little lady has got
to be made comfortable. When the
jobs done, pay what you can, and
the balance whenever it comes
handy. l been doin' business that
way for forty years ESQ longs I
knew the folks dealt with), and
l never lost a copper. Now let's
not waste any more time"
Nor did they! It was astonishing
how fast the work progressed. For
as intellectually as he had ever
embarked on an adventure, Don
threw himself into the making of
Nora's home. Day by day, early
and late, he worked beside the car
penter. Nora worked too, at any
task she could lay hands on. Even
small Donald carried out rubbish
with solemn pride in the thought
that he was "helping build our
house."
Sometimes the old carpenter
would disagree with Nora. The size
of the living room disturbed him.
''It's too big" he protested. ut
won't be snug and coy like a sit
tin room should be. It's big as a
ball room!"
''It is ball room," retorted Nora,
'and as for its being cozy-you
wait and see! A baby-grand piano
takes up space, you know; and-Oh,
don't fuss any MORE" she pleaded.
II want it big. I've lived in band
boxes for six years."
"Well," sighed the old builder
with dubious shake of his gray
head, sits your house; but remem-
Der I warned you"
Don would pause in his hammer
ing when these discussions ragged.
Sometimes he'd say over his Shout
der: "Oh, let her alone, Mr.. Little
field. She's on the war path!" And
the grizzled product of the. "wild
New England shore" would wink
solemnly, pick up his tools, and con-
tinue to do exactly as Nora said.
They concentrated on the living
room at first; and when the parti-
tons were in place and the wide
easement windows finished, it was
Leonora who tackled builders pa
per to the walls of one end, while
a mason from the Port constructed
a chimney at the other; and Don
and Tom Littlefeld moved their
work bench into one of the box
stalls that was destined to become
a kitchenette.
"And what / don't understand"
grumbled the old man good-natured-
ly, sis why anyone in their senses
should want a sittin' room big
enough to accommodate q trolley
line, and kitchen so small you
can't eat breakfast there cold morn
ms. 'Tain't sensible, If you ask
me-"
'But I didn't ask you," retorted
Nora while he grinned at her impu-
dence. cts not suitable for Roy
al Family to eat in the kitchen, Mr..
Littlefield; and besides, those next
two stalls are to be the banquet
hail."
"What do you think this old barn
ISL" he questioned sternly. wind