Year: 1874

! When John Gray and his wife start


ed in life they had a good farm al


paid for and money running at inter,


est. But John unfortunately, was one


of those habftual grumblers who seem


to experience the greatest satisfaction
i in recounting and augmenting the lit


lie annoyances to which they are sub.
jected. His implements were forever


wearing out, aud invariably broke


down in the midst of some important
piece of work, when he could but lily
spare the time either TO borrow OF


have them mended. His farm pro-


duce, too, was generally disposed OF
| Just before rise i'll the market, which


no one ever knew him to hold on to


for the purpose of obtaining higher


price without selling at last 10 great
disadvantage. Horses and cattle, also,


were sure to be lame at his busiest
time.


Nothing ever seemed 10 go right


with him, nor was he ever wanting
for cause of complaint; for when all


other sources failed him, the weather
stuck by him most faithfully. In fact,
so notorious was his habit III this re-
gard, that it had passed into a proYerb
among his neighbors, who, when they
wished to give expression to their
greatest satisfaction at a fine growing
spell were accustomed to say, "Why,
John Gray himself couldn't find fault


with such weather as this"


John lacked neither the industry
nor the economy requisite for sue
cessful farmer, but bis habit of argu-
menting and brooding over the little
annoyances of life prevented him from
engaging with the heartiness aud con-
fidence in his occupation which are so
essential to success. AS result, he had
gradually fallen behind, till. instead of
having q little money coming in from
a source where neither sweat nor mus
Gle was expended, a mortgage on the
farm was yearly draining portion of
his limited and hard earned income.


This was the most genuine of all
Johns sources of complaint, and un-
fortunately, it was one over which he
would rather brood and lament than
put forth an extra effort to remedy it.
There was added, moreover, to this
real cause of complaint, the bitter re-
Election that the happy state Of his al
fairs was due solely TO his own man.
agement. Many hard working man
is unable to get on in the world from
the want of good management in his
household affairs. But John Gray
himself could find no cause for COM
plant in this regard. His vile was
model of diligence and economy, and
if ever her husband had occasion to
find fault with her it was only because
she bore the ills of life too contented-
ly.


"DO you know that old Jenny is
dead 2" John enquired Of his wife as
he came in to breakfast one morning.


'Why moi What happened her?"


'fShe got fast in the stall and broke
her neck, guess. 1t was an unfOrtu-
nate thing that it had to happen on a
night when such an awful storm was
raging. If it had not been for that
she would have walked up the whole
family, judging from the way the stall
is shivered. But of course could not
expect anything better; the very ele-
meHts conspired against me-"


81 am really very sorry for the poor
old thing" replied Mrs. Gray. She
was always such a faithful animal.
But then she was about worn out. any
way, and you ought to be thankful,
john, that it was not one of your 9TH
er horses"


anu SuDPOS6 IL WAS EOlOEl6u
John, turning around sharply from
the sink, where he was vigorously
washing his hands. Gall my horses
would be living this morning."


GLOW do You make that out 2"
queried his wife.


because the halters on the other
horses were weak, and would have |
broken with the first kick, while there |
was a halter on Jenny strong enough |
10 hang her. 1t is provoking to think |
of it," resumed John, sitting down to
breakfast. CATER keeping her in the |
stall all winter, she must lie down and
die now, just when the spring work is
coming on"


Mrs. Gray had no consoling words
for her husband in these dOVetailing
SO that John was encour-
aged to trace out their connection
still further.


"There's that horse that was sold at
he went off so dog cheap
that had half mind to buy him,
Just on speculation. If had known
how nicely he would come in now
But when good luck is on the road l
am always in the DITCH"


If the facts were as John represented
no one could justly accuse him oil be-
ng an unreasonable grumbler. The
acts at this time certainly seemed ad-
verse. But then it was a chance if
John had the remotest idea of buying
! horse at Grigham's and it is very
doubtful if the lawful storm" prevent
ID him from hearing the kicks of
poor old Jenny, or if her halter was
1ne whit stronger than that upon eth
sr of the other horses. But John had
acquired skill in recounting his mis-
Ortunes which was very deceptive
aYan To himself