12 THE POOR WOODCUTTER.

 

rect to the wharf and making the purchase,
Mr. Edgar went to his office, where he gave
up his thoughts to business until about
half-past two o'clock. He then stepped
down to the wharf, to purchase the wood
previously to going home to dinner. He
had settled the question as to the quantity
that must be bought. Nothing less than
half a cord would be sufficient.
The day was very cold; colder than he
‘had supposed; for in his comfortable office
but few evidences of the degree of tempera-
ture without was apparent. As he drew
near the wood-wharves on the Delaware,
. the sharp wind came rushing by, causing
him to shiver beneath his double-wadded
coat. /

“Any wood, sir?” inquired a carter,
tipping his hat to Mr. Edgar, as that gen-
tleman reached the wharves.

“Yes,” was replied indifferently.

“May I haul it, sir?”

“‘T don’t care.”