Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-03-11
Gilmorolts Selections.
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
BY SCISSORS.

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
BY SCISSORS.
Dad, Pm going to turn over new
leaf next week, said Sam Dana Junior to
his paternal protector, Sam Dana senior,
as they were hoeing corn together near
the Dana family domiciI, in the town of
Bow.
The two Sam Danas looked as much
alike as two peas, especially Sam junior !;
he looked a shade younger, otherwise
he might have been taken for chip of
the old block, block and all. At the
sound of the others voice, the elder Da-
ma rested his chin on the en- of lis hoe
handle and peered at his sturdy offspring
as if doubtful OF the meaning and intent
of the familiar words. Sam Junior I'M
mediately put himself in similar posi-
ton, fixed his sharp hazel eyes on his
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 lwen-
ty, out of my time, and Pm off. You
see, dad, I've worked on this patch of
land ever since was born, and [ calcu-
late Fve been smart boy-haven't II
Sam senior nodded his head.
well, if | always stay here, | shall
always be smart boy and nothing else.
| want to go round | want to see the
fashions want TO see somebody |
want to put the dollars in my pocket
darn it, dad, | want to go it will go
tim off. I've made up my mind, no
use to say nothing, can't alter me. Pm
going, going, gone What do you
say TO that p
Sam, say you're jackass?
dad, l calculate you're mistaken
We'll, perhaps you'll be sure to make
one of yourself, if you amt
dad, calculate you'll find yourself
mistaken
| tell you Sam, now, that you'll be
sorry; did just SO when was out of
my time before three weeks was glad
to get back, and you'll be in the same
fix, or Pm no judge of horse-hesh.'
dad, I've heard you say thousand
times that every generation grows wiser.
Now calculate Pm one generation wiser
than you were at my age. Pm going
no kind Of use to talk agin it,
The dialogue closed-they eyed each
other sharply for moment-Dana sem
ior raised his chin from the hoe handle,
grasped it firmly, and renewed his labor
with the strength of two men. Sam ir.
followed suit, and side by side they con-
tinued an hour, digging as if for dear life.
The elder Dana was evidently working
himself into passion at last he came
to stand, and calculated stcntorian
Sam =
Sam came to a full stop, and straight
ened up with no less emphatic Dad p
'What in thunder are you working so
fast for ? demanded the senior, and at
he went again still harder than before
after him went Sam jr, as hard as he
could dig, and if the dinner-horn had not
quickly sounded they would have work
ed themselves out of their boots. The
elder Dana shouldcred his hoe and struck
a bee-line for the house, and Sam fol-
lowed in the steps of his predecessor.
They filed into the shed, hung up thei.
hoes in the proper places with military
precision, wheeled into the Mushroom,
washed and wiped with the same silent
emphasis with which they had worked,
adjusted their hair, shot into the dining
room and down to the table face to face,
and again they looked fiercely at each
other.
YOU'RE fool said Sam senior.
You're my dad p said the other Sam.
YOU'RE going to make fool of your
SELF
Il guess not, quietly responcd Sam.
What's the matter 2 asked Mrs. d.
THAT boy, that boys the NATTER said
her husband in tones that told his feel
ings were somewhat ruflled.
Why, Sam, what have you been do
ingi'
Nothing, mother, only talking little
Only talking do you hear that?'
Well, dad, did l do any thing else ?
DO? you talked like a fool, SAM
Now, husband, do keep cool and tell
me what the trouble is-you get SO
wrathy if things don't suit YOU
'Ask SAM
Sam, what is the matter p
'Ask dad
;. Well, guess you had better eat your
dinners and you'll feel better after it,
, ,'l Mrs, Dana pettishly, puckering
up hef mouth and nose slightly, perhaps