Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-09

once week, than not have a newspa.
per. don't wonder" ~
Uncle Ben checked himself and be-
came more thoughtful than before. Mex
day he asked Peter why he didn't take
paper.
"No time to read; and besides | can,
afford the expense" "A couple of dol.
lars year would meet that" I'll mus,
pay my debts, Uncle Ben, before think
about indulging in newspapers" "You'l
find paper great saving even if il
costs 81 % a year.
Peter did not comprehend the mean
ing Of this. But as he did not ask for
any explanation, none was given.
"You're hard-working man, Peter" "
said Uncle Ben, after two or three days
had been spent in the family. "I'll give
| you credit for that. But from all have
seen and heard since I've been here, Pc
ter, must say that you are not good
farmer!'' wt sE.'. FL .--..-l
"You're the first man that ever said
that" quickly replied Peter, the blood
springing 10 his face. " "at .3 s
"Fhat may be. Still it does not gain
say my words. You are not good
farmer, Peter, and your want Of thrift
shows it," .s- a# .t#" s#ahs s..#
IL wish you would explain yourself,
Uncle Ben," said Peter, both his voice
and countenancc showing that the re-
mark hurt him. mo man in the neigh.
borhood would like to say so much" #s
"a good farmer with one hundred acres
OF land like yours, must get along
You don't gs, along. and therefore | say.
you ore not good farmer" .g.s .s.
| Now Peter was rather quick temper
ed and this assertion chafed him in a
tender place. He tried to control his
feelings, but was not fully successful.
"Uncle Ben," said he, in a sharp, an
cry voice, while his face grew still red
der, II won't let any body talk to me af-
ter this fashion. I'm sorry you come if
it was only TO insult me in my troubles" T"
"Oh Peter!" exclaimed Hannah, in
tones Of distress, "don't speak SO TO
Uncle Benz yE a.... fa eEss-.a .
"Peter-.Peter," said Uncle Ben, sooth-
ingly; "you don't understand me-" -s~
"Yes, | do. I've got ears and COM
mon sense. You say I'm no farmer, and
that .... .l........ .-.....'.. ......
stop, stop, Peter. l didn't say you
were no farmer. ! only said you were
no, good farmer. Hear me patiently
and Ill prove to you---s ....s.
"l'll hear nothing more on the SUBJ
ject, Uncle Ben," shortly retorled Peter.
Mot word more, when man says I'm
no farmer feel insulted. He might as
well say I'm not a mani" .i" e9'at s.
Peter, Peter! don't act SOL" said Han
nah, whose eyes were filling with tears.
From the hour of Uncle Ben's arrival,
she had hoped that he would help them.
The many inquiries and the interest he
manifested in every member OF the fam
lily, satisfied her that purpose TO aid
them was in his mind. Now her hus-
band seemed in a fair way 10 mar all by
his untimely anger. .' <." .rr" .'Hs
"Come, come, Peter!" spoke up the
old gentleman, with some authority in
his manner, "ihis is all nonsense. What
say is for your good. Can't you un-
derstand that, you silly fellow!" a,e.,
81 dom, wish to talk any more on the
subject, Uncle Ben," replied Peter; $50
change it, if you please This was
said in way that Uncle Ben did not
like; SO, tossing his head with affected
indifference, he answered: 2&
"Oh, very we'll very well just as
you like" ra5. aaal a.at a fE
Then came long silence, broken by
sobs from Hanrah, who after having tried
in vain. to control her feelings, burst inlo
a fit Of crying. Neither husband nor
Uncle said anything to soo,he her dis
tress. In little while she left the room;
and the two men separated.
Next morning, Uncle Ben announced
at breakfas, his purpose Of leaving for
home after dinner. Peter felt sorry for
having exhibited so much angry impa-
tience, though he partly justified himself
on the plea of great provocation. The
declaration that he was not good Far
mer. was one lha, he could not bear
If there was anything that he did know,
il was how TO farm. He had prided him.
self for years on being thorough eprac-
tical agriculturist, and no upstart thcoret-
ic book farmer, who, as he said. wouldn't
know, except for books and newspapers,
whether potatoes grew above or below
ground. Still Peter felt sorry for having
lost his temper. But men of his char
acter are not apt TO own fault. u takes
a man Of some Stamina, besides good
degree of self-knowledge and true eleva.
ton of character. 10 do this. He fel,
sorry, but was not prepared to say so.
81 thought you were going TO spend a
week with us" said Peter. ~ did think
Of doirg so, when ! lei, home, but I've
changed my mind" ,aEHaI gT
Hannah looked sadly into Uncle Ben s
face, and then glanced towards her hus.
band. She did not speak--her heart
was too full. Nothing more was said
during the meal. Alter breakfast Peter
went TO look after the cattle and horses,
and Uncle Ben went into the spare room.
Hannah came in, and drawing a chair
close up TO the old gentleman, said in a
chOk inO voice as she tOok his hand and