THE POOR WOODCUTTER. 29

 

but still clamoured for their pay and threat-
ened all manner of consequences if the mo-
ney did not come, he sold the best of his
‘furniture—thus depriving his family of
many comforts, and reducing himself to a
still lower position.

“What shall I do?”

Ah! how often and anxiously was that
question asked, and how silent was all
around after its utterance. Bread must be
had for his little ones, and no man was
more willing to work for it than he; but
who would give him work? By aneighbour
who had dealt in his store, and with whom
he conferred on the subject, he was advised.
to try and get a place as labourer in one of
the stores on the wharves. Acting on this
suggestion, he visited the store of every
merchant from South to Vine streets, and
asked for work ; but without success. The
fall business was over, and many were dis-
pensing with regular aid instead of employ-
ing more.

“‘T must do something,” said the unhap-