Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-05-01

stand that way.
Uncle Ben tried to show Peter his er
ror: but this was subject upon which
Peter grew warm at once, and thus closet
the avenues Of his mind to all the appeals
Of reason. n....... .......
Next day Peter was absent on business
and the old gentleman spent most of tn.
time with his niece, asking questions, Civ
ing advice, and minutely observing every
thing.-There was bu, little real comlor
in The dwelling, and little cultivation in ,hs
children.
Ellen, the oldest was a coarse, hard
working girl, who had been to school long
enough to learn to read and to fill a few
pages of blank paper with pot-hooks, ant
hinges. Beyond this, her mind was un.
educated. Coarse and rough as she was
however there were about her certain ele.
,nents of womanly beauty in the first eff:
forts of fdevelopemcnt, that Uncle Ben per
ceive.i, and which awoke for her, in hi,
| mind, feeling of interest and concern.
You're working Ellen too hard,' said
he as the girl passed, carrying large ket.
tie Of boiling water.
Il knowit. Ellen ought 10 goto school
But can't spare her. If We could afTord
, help it would be different. 1t makes my
heart ache, Uncle Ben whenever l think
Of the way our children are growing up.
'All had-very bad. Depend upon it
Hannah, there's something wrong. YOU
are all industrious enough; all, in fact
overworked and yet there is no thrift; M
order in your family; no cheerfulness-ne
comfort .......
Hannah acknowledged, wi,htears in hel
eyes, the truth Of the picture. But she
knew no remedy; and saw nothing bu
trouble ahead. -a
'lf we 60 on as we have been going
we'll lose our farm in two or three years
and then what will become of US all?
feel utterly discouraged
see no books about said Uncle Ben
Don't Ellen and Henry spend any time il
reading.
There's the Bible and some old re
ligious books up stairs, but the children
don't care about them. Henry borrowed
the Arabian Nights and Robinson Cruso,
from some os our neighbor's children, ant
he and Ellen got so interested in them, tha
they couldn't do anything else. Henr,
would leave his work and hide away I,
read. and Ellen would neglec, everything
Their father got so angry. that he for bad,
their bringing any more books into thu
house.'-Is it possible! You take ,
newspaper er?'
NO. We can't afford to spend none,
| in that way. We have nothing to spare
for useles things. And besides, Peter ha,
no time to read. When night comes, hs
is so worn down that he is glad to get il
! bed
No newspaper! Why Hannah! You
had much better all 60 without meal once
a week, than not have newspaper.
don't WONDER
Uncle Ben checked himself and became
! more thoughtful than before.-Next day
he asked Peter why he didn't take paper
No time to read; and besides can,
afford the expense.'-'A couple of dollars
year would meet tnat.-'l must pay my
debts, uncle BeE, before l think about in.
dulging in newspapers.'-'You'll find a
paper srea, saving even if it costs $40
year.
Peter did not comprehend the meaning
Of this. But, as he did not ask for any
explanation, none was given.
You're a Woodworking man, Peter :,
said BENZ. after two or three days had been
spent in the family. I'll give you credit
for that. But from all l have seen and
heard since I've been here, Peter, mus,
say that you are not good farmer!
You re the first man that ever said that!
quickly replied Peter, the blood springine
to his face.
THAT may be. Still it does not gainsay
my words. You are not good farmer
Peter, and your want Of thrift shows it,
i wish you would explsin Yourself
Uncle Ben,' said Peter, both his voice and
countenance showing that the remark hu-,
him. 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't get along, and therefore say, you
are not a good farmer
Now Peter was rather quick tempered
and this assertion chafed him in tender
place. He tried to control his feelings,
but was no, fully successful.
Uncle Bcn,' said he, in sharp, angry
voice, while his face grew still redder, \
won't let any body talk to me after this
fashion. I'm sorry you come If it was on.
ly TO insult me in my troubles
oh Peter!' exclaimed Hannah, intones
Of distress, don't speak SO to Uncle Benz!
'Peter-Peter,' said uncle Ben,' sooth-
ingly; you don't understand me-
Yes, do. I've got ears and common
sense. You say I'm no farmer, and
tha:'s -
Stop, stop, Peter. didn't say you
were no farmer. l only said you were
not good farmer. Hear me patiently and
I'll prove to you --- sH'
in hear nothing more on the subject
Uncle BEN shortly retorted Peter Not
a word more when man says I'm nt
farmer feel insulted. He might as vel
say I'm not q man.
Peter, Peter! don't act so! said Hannah
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 mani
tested in every member Of the family, sat.
Sed har that a nurnose to aid them was