tell on , please . '' `` James Snow and his mother lived in a little house , up in New Hampshire . They were poor , and James had to work to help his mother , but he loved books so well he hated work , and just wanted to sit and study all day long . '' `` How could he ! I hate books , and like work , '' said Dan , objecting to James at the very outset . `` It takes all sorts of people to make a world ; workers and students both are needed , and there is room for all . But I think the workers should study some , and the students should know how to work if necessary , '' answered Mrs. Jo , looking from Dan to Demi with a significant expression . `` I 'm sure I do work , '' and Demi showed three small hard spots in his little palm , with pride . `` And I 'm sure I study , '' added Dan , nodding with a groan toward the blackboard full of neat figures . `` See what James did . He did not mean to be selfish , but his mother was proud of him , and let him do as he liked , working by herself that he might have books and time to read them . One autumn James wanted to go to school , and went to the minister to see if he would help him , about decent clothes and books . Now the minister had heard the gossip about James 's idleness , and was not inclined to do much for him , thinking that a boy who neglected his mother , and let her slave for him , was not likely to do very well even at school . But the good man felt more interested when he found how earnest James was , and being rather an odd man , he made this proposal to the boy , to try now sincere he was . '' ' I will give you clothes and books on one condition , James . ' '' ` What is that , sir ? ' and the boy brightened up at once . '' ` You are to keep your mother 's wood-box full all winter long , and do it yourself . If you fail , school stops . ' James laughed at the queer condition and readily agreed to it , thinking it a very easy one .
`` He began school , and for a time got on capitally with the XXXXX , for it was autumn , and chips and brushwood were plentiful .
Dan Demi Hampshire James Jo Snow day palm wood-box workers