Having thus introduced the Coles to our reader,
we will continue the conversation.
"I guess we will have to put out Johnny, and you will try and help
us a little more, Jerry, dear."
"Why, what's got into the woman now?" muttered Jerry, stretching his
arms, and yawning to the utmost capacity of his mouth. The children
laughed at their father's uncouth gestures, and even Mrs. Cole's
serious face relaxed into a smile, as she answered,
"Don't swallow us all, and I will tell you. The winter is beginning
early, and promises to be cold. Our potatoes didn't turn out as well
as I expected, and the truth is, we cannot get along so. We won't
have victuals to last us half the time; and, manage as I will, I
can't much more than pay the rent, I get so little for the kind of
work I do. Now, if Johnny gets a place, it will make one less to
provide for; and he will be learning to do something for himself."
"Yes, but mother," said the boy, moving close to her side, and
laying his head on her knee, "yes, but who'll help you when I am
gone? Who'll dig the lot, and hoe, and cut the wood, and carry the
water? You can't go away down to the spring in the deep snow. And
who'll make the fire in the cold mornings?"
The mother looked sorry enough, as her darling boy--for he was the
object around which the fondest affections of her heart had entwined
themselves--she looked sorry enough, as he enumerated the turns he
was in the habit of doing for her; but, woman-like, she could suffer
and be still; so she answered cheerfully,
"May be father will, dear; and when you grow bigger, and learn how
to do everything, you'll be such a help to us all.
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