American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-20
TURNING NEW LEAF
BY ABEL REDrOP.

Dad, I'm gon' to turn over q new leaf next
week." said Sam Dana, junior, to his parental
Fprogenltor, Sam Dana, enior,-they were hoe
ing corn together near the Dana family domi-
Gil. in the town Of Bow.
The two Sam Danas looked as near alike as
two peas, especially Sam, junior;-he looked a
shade younger-otherwse he might have been
taken for chip of the old block, block and all
At the sound Of The others voice, the older
Dana rested his chin Oh the end of the hoe
handle, and peered at his sturdy offspring, az
if doubtful of the meaning and intent Of the ia
mIliar words Sam, junior, Immediately fixed
bis sharp hazel eye OIL that ofhis dad, and went
on:-"Yes, dad, Pm going TO turn over new
leaf. You've often told me to do it. Next
week, you know, Pm one-and-twenty, out OF
my time; Pm off You see, dad, | have work.
ed on this patch Of land ever since was born,
and ! calculate | have been smart boy
haven't |? (Sam, senior, nodded his head y
Well, if always stay here, | shall always be
a smart boy, and nothing else. want to go
rouad, want to see the fashions, | want to
speculate, | want to be somebody, want to
put the dollars into nay pocket; darn it, dad
want to go it, I'm off I've made up my mind
no use to try, nothing can't alter me. Pm go.
ing, going, going, gone! the day my time is
out, I'm GONE, gonei What say you to
that?"
"Say? Isay you're jackass!'
dad, Calculate you're mistaken"
"Well, perhaps; you'll be sure to make one
ofyourself, if you amt"
dad, calculate you'll fnd yourself mis-
taken"
81 tell you, Sam, now, that you'll be sorry
did Just so when was out of my time.
cleared out from home, and before had been
gone three weeks, | was glad to get back
again, and you II be in the same predicanent
in less than week, or | am no Judge of horse
Besh."
"Dad, I've heard you say thousand times
that every generation grows wiser; now | cal
eulate | am one generation wiser than you
we're at my age. am going-no kind Of use
to talk agn it,"
The dialogue closed; they eyed each other
sharply for moment, the senior Dana raised
his chin from the end of his hoe-handle, grasp.
cd it firmly, and renewed his labor with the
strength of two men. Sam, ju Nor, followed
suit with none the less of energy in his man
ner, and eide by side they continued at work
for an hour without a word being spoken by
either, digging as for dear life. The elder Dana
was evidently working himself into a passion;
at last he came to stand still, at the same mo-
ment eaculHtings stentorian "Sam!"
Sam came to a full stop, and Strengthened up
with no less emphatic "Dad!7'
"What n thunder are you working so hard
for'' dem 4nded the senior, and at it he went
again, ftill harder than before, and after him
went Sam IL" younger, as hard as he could
dig; and If the aInner-horn had not sounded in
moment, they would have worked themselves
cut oftheir boots. The moment he heard the
horn, the elder Dana shouldered his hoe and
struck ber-hne for the hopse; Sam following
Ia the steps Of his predecessor; filed into the
sned, hung their hoes in their proper places
win military precision next into the wash
room, washed their hands and faces, with the
same silent emphasis that had distinguished
their hoeing for the last hour, wiped, adjusted
their hair, shot into the dining room, and down
to the table they sat, face to face, and again
they looked ticrcely at each other
You're fool" said Sam Dana.
you're my dad" said the ether Sam.
You're going 20 make fool Yourself"
Il calcuiat" not, quietly replied Sam.
"Whats The matter now" asked Mrs. d.
THAT boy, hat boys the mater, j" said her
husband, in iones that told Lie feelings were
somewhat ruled.
Nothing, mother, only talking little"
"Only taikiag; DO you hear that He says