THE POOR WOODCUTTER. 21

 

To meet this came the thought that split-
ting and piling wood was not steady work;
and that, in all probability, the halfcord
upon which the man was now engaged, was
his only job for the day. This view of the
case was not so pleasant.

A recollection of some business at his
office which required attention on that af-
ternoon, caused these thoughts to retire.

‘When the man is done piling away the
wood in the cellar, pay him half-a-dollar,”
said Mr. Edgar to his wife, as he was leav-

¢ing the house to proceed to his office.

It was after six o’clock when Mr. Edgar
returned home. The wind rushed and

‘moaned along the streets, and the cold,
which had increased by several degrees
since midday, penetrated his warm gar-
ments, and caused him to shiver as the
chilly air seemed to pass through them as
if they were but gossamer. On arriving at
home, Mr. Edgar was rather surprised to
find the man he had employed still cutting