Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-10-31

Benjamin Hicks, after two or three davs had
been spent in the family of his nephew and
nelce-'a hard-working man, I'll give you
credit for that. But, from all have seen and
heard since I've been here, Peter, l must say,
that you are not good farmer,
You're the first man who ever said that .
quickly replied Peter, the blood springing to
his face.
THAT may be- returned Uncle Ben. Still,
1t does not gainsay my words. You are not a
good farmer, Peter, and your want of thrift
shows it,
4 wish you would explain yourself, Uncle
Ben, said Peter, both his voice aud counte-
nance showing that the remark hurt him a
good deal. No man in the neighborhood
would like to say so much
A good farmer, with one hundred acres of
land like yours, must get along. You DON
get along, and therefore / say, you are not
good farmer
Now Peter was rather quick tempered, and
this assertion of the old man S chafed him in
tender place. He tried to control his feelings,
but the effort was not fully successful.
uncle Ben,' said he, in sharp, angry
voice, while his face grew still redder, Il wont
let any body talk to me after this fashion,
I'm sorry you came, ifit was only to insult me
in my troubles
'Oh Peter = exclaimed Hannah, in tones of
distress, don't speak SO to Uncle Benz
'Peter-Peter,' said Uncle Benjamin, sooth-
ingly, you don't understand me-
Yes, do understand you' replied the ex-
cited Peter. I've got ears and common sense.
You say I'm no farmer, and that's
Stop, stop, Peter. didn't say you were
no farmer. I only said you were not good
farmer. And, if you will hear me patiently,
III prove TO you
I'll hear nothing more on the subject, Uncle
Ben,' sharply retorted Peter. Not word
morel When man says I'm no farmer,
feel nsulted. He might as well say that I'm
not man y
Hannah, whose eyes were filling with tears
From the hour of Uncle Ben's arrival, she had
suffered the hope which then sprang up in her
heart, that he would help them in their trou-
bles, TO grow stronger and stronger. The
many inquiries he made and the interest he
manifested In every member of the family, sat-
isied her that purpose to aid them was in his
mind. Now her husband seemed in fair
way TO mar all by his untmely anger.
Come, come, Peter' spoke mp the old gen
tleman, with some authority in his manner,
this is all nonsense. What I say is for your
good. Can't you understand that. you silly
fellow!'
Il don't wish to talk any more on this sub
ject, Uncle Ben,' replied Peter; so change it,
if yon please
This was said in a way that Uncle Ben did
not by any means like; so tossing his head
with affected indiffer ence, he answered
'Oh, very well very well Just as you
like
Then came long silence, which was final
ly broken by sobs from Hannah who, after
having tried for some time, but in vain, to con-
troll her feelings, burst into fit Of crying.
Neither husband nor uncle said any thing to
soothe her distress
In little while she arose and left the room;
and in few minutes afterwards, the two men
separated.
On the next morning, Uncle Ben announced,
| +l,o Ill l.;
pose to leave for home after dinner. Peter
felt sorry for having exhibited so much angry
impatience, though he partly justified himself
on the plea of great provocation. The decla-
ration that he was not good farmer was one
that he could not bear. If there was any thing
that he did know. it was how to farm. On
this knowledge he had prided himselftor years;
and, what was more, particularly prlded him
self on being a thorough, practical agricutu-
rist, and no c-book-tarmer,
who, as he sometimes said, wouldn't know,
except for books and newspapers, whether po-
tatoes grew above or below ground.
Still Peter felt sorry for having lost his tenn
per, and wished that it hadn't been so. But
men of his character are not apt to own a
fault. 1t takes a man of some stamina, besides
good degree of self-knowledge and true ele-
walton of character to do this. He felt sorry,
but not prepared to say so.
4 thought you were going to spend week
with us, said Peter, when this announcement
was made.
Il did think of doing so when | left home,
replied the old gentleman but I've changed
my mind
Hannah looked sadly into Uncle Ben's face,
and then glanced toward her husband She
did not venture to speak, her heart was too
full.
Nothing more was said during the NEAL
After breakfast Peter went out to look after
the cattle, sheep and horses, and Uncle Ben
went into the little spare room where bright
fire had been kindled by Ellen. He had been
sitting here only few minutes, when Han.
nah came in, and drawing chair close up tc
the old gentlemen, said, in choking voice, as
she took his hand and looked into his face
Don't be angry with Peter, Uncle
, God bless you, child ? replied the old man
quickly, betraying considerable emotion as he
spoke; 4 am not angry with Peter
'Oh yes, you are, and don't much wonder