The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-11-07
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
BY ABEL


Dad Pm going to turn over a new leaf next
week. said Sam Dana, junior, to his paternal pro-
jector, Sam Dana. senior-ihey were hoeinq corn
together near the Dana family 6omiciI, in the
town of Bow.
The two Sam Danas looked as near alike as
two peas, especially Sam junior; he looked a shade
younger-otherwise he might have been taken
for a chip of the old block, block and all. AT the
sound Of the others voice, the elder Dana rested
his chin on the end of his hoe handle, and peered
at his sturdy offspring, as if doubtful of the mean.
ing and intent Of the familiar words. Sam, in
nior. Immediately fixed himself ia a similar posi-
ton. fixed his sharp hazel eye on that of his dad,
ln going to turn over a new leaf. You've told
me 10 do it. Next week, you know, Pm one.
and twenty. ont of my time. Pm off. You see
dad, I've worked on this patch Of land ever since
was born. and | calculate I've been a smart
boy-haven't ~ (Sam, senior, nodded his
head Well. if | always stay here, I shall
always be a smart boy. and nothing else. want
to 90 round. want to see the fashions. | wait to
speculate. L want to be somebody, | want to put
the dollars in my pocket; darn it dad, | want to
go it, | will go it. I'm of. I've made up nv
mind, no use TO say nothing, can't alter me, Pm
going. g-o-i-n-g. gone! the day my time is out,
Pm g ONE. What do you say 10 ihat2'
'Say2 | say you're a jackass y
Dad. l calculate you're mistaken
well. perhaps you'll be sure 10 make one of
yourself. If you amt
dad. | calculate you'll find yourself mistaken,
Il tell you, Sam, now, that you'll be sorry. 7
did just so when / was out Of my time. cleared
out from home, and before | had been gone three
weeks, | was glad to get home again, and You'll
be in the same predicameni in less than a week.
or Pm no Judge of horse flesh
Dad. I've heard you say a thousand times that
every generation grows wiser! Now, | calculate
that | am one generation wiser than you were at
my age. Fm going-no kind Of use to talk aqin il.
The dialogue closed they eyed each other
sharply for a moment; the senior Dana raised his
chin from the end of his hoe handle, grasped it
firmly, and renewed his labor with the STRENGTH
Of two men. Sam, junior, followed suit with
none the less of energy in his manner, and side
by side they continued to work fur an hour with
ont a word being spoken by either, digging as if
for dear life. The elder Dana was evidently
working himself into a fever of passion; at last
he came TO a stand still. at the same moment
CIRCULATING a stentorian, 8 SAM
Sam came TO a fall stop, Slaughtered up with a
no less emphatic Dad =
What IN thunder are You working so fast
tor. demanded the senior, and at it he went
again, still harder than before, and after him went
Sam the younger, as hard as he could dip and
If the dinner horn had not sounded a moment
after, they would have worked themselves out of
their boots. The moment they heard the horn,
the elder Dana shouldered his hoe and struck n
bee line for the house. Sam followed in the stems
of his predecessor filed into the shed, hung their
hoes IN their proper places, with military preci-
slon-next into the wash room, washed their
hands and faces, with the same silent emphasis
that had distinguished their hoeing for the last
hour-~iped, adjusted their hair, shut into the
dining room. and down to the liable they sat. face
to face, and again they looked ferceIy at each
other.
You're a fool y said Sam Dana.
You're my dad = said the other Sam.
You're going TO make a fool of YOURSELF
calculate not, quietly replied Sam.
What's the matter now p asked Mrs
That boy, that boys the matter said her hus-
band. in tones that told his feelings were some.
what ufied.
why, Dam, what have yon been doing p
N"ihlng, mother, only talking a liitle,'
. O"ly talking do you hear that? he SAYS
he's only been talking-did you ever hear any
thing like lhatY
We'll, dad. did I do anything else q
Dog did, you talked like a FOOL
Now, husband. do keep cool, and tell me what
the trouble is-you get so wrathy if things don't
go TO suit you-now, what's The matter p
Ask, SAM
Sam, what is the matter p
ASK dad
Well, I guess you had better eat your dinners.
and you'll fell better after it. replied Mrs. Dana
pickering up her mouth and nOse, slight.
", perhaps contemptuously.
Dinner disappeared wonderfully ouick-tbe oil.
der Sam laid to with great strength and speed. The
Younger Sam kept an eye on his author and strove
10 keep pace with him in all his movements
hey finished togeIher-tbey left The house. ia
precise oTder-tbey shomldered their hoes as or.
jeTly as veteTaDs-thev reccmroo.e1 hi, I.kor.