Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-09
whole. Finally Nc agreed to .aRe half

.. .
Frsted by this application, Peter made
up his nind TO let Gray & Elder have
his wheat and corn over and above theiu
bills against him. So next nsersing ha,
started for their store. On his way he
stopped at the Post Office and got his
Gazette, and continued on his way to,
Gray q Elders. Neither of the men,
happened 10 be in, and Peter commenced;
reading. Almost the first paragraph was,
the following: a. s1. -. - ri Il
IMPORTANT RISE IN WHEAn-Tha
news by The last steamer from Europe,.
which reports probable failure in tho
crops, sent wheat suddenly up, from rs,
cents TO al. And even a, the advanced
rates, holders seem little inclined to sell.
The farmer waited no longer but went
home. He had not been there over fif.
teen minutes when messenger came.
from Gray & Elder TO know if he were.
going to accept their offer. '
Tell them replied Peter, that I cam.
not take less than dollar for wheat.'-
During the day. the man who held the,
mortgage called again, Peter told him of
the rise in wheat, and said that if he sold
at the advanced rates he would pay off
The whole debt. During the following
week Gray & Elder offered 90 cents.
But the farmer would not sell. The 'Ga--
zelte' arrived, and showed continued.
tirmness for wheat and an advance for
corn. Peter cast his eyes upon tire adj
veriising columns, and saw the names Of
millers and merchants advertising for
wheat and corn, and offering to pay the
highest market prices in cash.
Now said Peter to the storekeepers,
If you will take my wheat at 81, and
corn a, 80 cents, I'll sell. II not, I'll hold
on longer Gray & Elder, after denar--
ring little, closed the bargain. So the
store bill was settled. the mortgage paid
of, and balal.ce left to begin the new
year. SO much for a newspaper said
Peter. as he walked homeward with tho.
cancelled mortgage, after paying of the
debt. SO much for newspaper! l do
believe, If Id begun taking paper ten
years ago, Id been rich man to-day.--
fes-Uncle Btn was right; didn't
know my business, proud as l was Of
being thought good farmer. "a E ..-.ra
So soon as this change took place..
Mr.. and Mrs. Miller conferred together
about Henry and Ellen. The reading
of newspaper, weekly, for nearly q.
year, had gradually filled the mind Of the
iormer with an entirely new class of l.
deas. They now saw in education. the,
only sure way to prosperity and social
elevation for their children. and were
mutually prepared to make sacrifices for
its attainment. When the mother had
said, Il think Peter, we ought to- send
Ellen and Henry 10 school, Just my
own view. They must not remain a:
home week longer. Ellen Had been
sadly neglected. They were really in
earnest in all this. Ellen and Henry
were Immediately sent to school; and q
young woman was hired to assist Mrs.
Miller. -srs.. Hra. s..rgf rs
During the holidays, Uncle Ben came
to sec what effect his New Years Gift
had produced. That there would be a
salutary change, if the newspaper were
read, he knew, but he was ao4 prepared
to see the effects so remarkable. On ar
irving, he was struck with the air of
greater thrift and comfort in the external
appearance of things. No one observ-
ing his approach. he walked up as far as
the door, when he paused to listen to
Hannah; she was singing one Of the old
songs he had heard her warble so often
when she was the happy inmate of his
own house, aud there was as much heart,
so to speak, in her voice az in days Of
yOre. The old man listened few mo.
ments, and then lifted the latch, stepped
in. taking all its inmates by surprise.
Miller sat with the newspaper 90 intent
Upon what he was reading, that he did
not perceive that any one had entered.
Hannah stood at the ironing table, and
Ellen, tidily dressed--and looking SO
changed in every thing that Uncle Ben
hardly re-recognised her, sewing, while
Henry sat as much engaged with book
as his father was with newspaper.
"Unc.e Benz exclaimed Hannah in
glad voice. Instantly Peter was on his
feet, and approaching the old man, gras-
ped his hand tightly. ~You have for
given me then for saying that you was
not good farmer! Ha! my boys said
the old gentleman. laughing as he return
ed Peters hearty shake. "Yes. yes, a
thousand times over" "And | was
right, YVES not!" Undoubtedly you
were-undoubtedly."
"Thafs the Gazette lha, see in your
hand. Do you read i,!' "Yes every
line" "And its been Of use 10 your
|"Of use, J guess II has. lis paid off
the mortgages, and has left me something
ever" "tfardlv done so much as that.
Peter!s replied the old gentleman incred-
ulousiy. "Itell you it has. Uncle Ben.
Why, ! woald no: be without paper
for hundred dollars year." The
meaning OF all this was explained 10 I'm
Gle Ben with great particularity.
''l1s all turned out in the way ho-
ped, only great deal better" said he.
when Peter had given him full history
of his years experience. 4 was going
10 lend you enough money to pay of
L.. L.