PULLING EVEN by Cora S. Day

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 20, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 38.

"PULLING EVEN."

By Cora S. Day

JERRY AND DICK were two brown horses who lived out in the country on Mr. Stratton's farm. In the winter time they did not have much to do, but when spring came they were busy every day, helping their master get the broad fields ready for the seeds. Then, when haying time came, they were harnessed to the big farm wagon, and drew load after load of hay to the barn. There the sweet-smelling clover, which they liked so well, was stored away in the lofts for winter.

Any one looking at the two horses would have said they were just alike. But if you had asked Farmer Stratton he would have shaken his head, and answered at once:—

"O, no, Jerry is the best worker! Dick is just as strong and able to pull as Jerry, but he is not so willing. If I don't watch them when they are working together, Jerry does all the work, and Dick shirks. To make them work even, I have to urge Dick and hold Jerry back."

Jerry and Dick are only horses, and, of course, can not be expected to understand the right and wrong of the question. But I wonder if boys and girls always "pull even"! You know there is work for us all in this world, and if we don't do our own work—if we shirk—some one else must do our work, or it will go undone. I suppose Dick was quite willing to eat his share of the hay that was brought in. Don't you think it would be fairer if he did his share of the pulling?

I am sure you see the point, and, if you remember Jerry and Dick, I think you will need no urging to do your work and that you will not be so unfair as to let another do your work and his own, too, but will "pull even."

—Cora S. Day.