Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-09
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
UNCLE BEN'S NEW YEARS
81 @ GIFT Oh, .7 ..t
WHAT A NEWSPAPER CAN DO.

IL think" said Benjamin Hicks, a
comfortable farmer, some fifty miles
from Cincinnati, "that I'll take trip o.
yer TO s., and see how Peter is COM
ing on s..... "a. a....-. ...-.4
IL wish you would" replied his wife.
"1heie's not much TO do just now, and
you can go for wetk as well as not
l. will be good opportunity TO see the
family, and judge Of things from your
own observation. Hannah makes a
dreadful sour mouth whenever she
writes" % ... a. ...r.a..-s
al know she does, and that's why ]
though. of going. There's something
wrong depend ont. Something wrong.
Than Peter there isn't harder working
man anywhere. IN give him credit for
that. He ought to get along comforta-
bly, and lay up money. No one has a
finer piece Of farm land, nor one that
ought to turn out more TO the acre." '..'
"And can speak for Hannah" said
the old lady. II raised her, and she
hasn't lazy bone in her tody."
ut isn't want Of industry on either
side" remarked Benjamin. "'rhe de.
tic, lies in a want Of management, OF
the profitable disposition of what they
make. Handwork is all very well, there
must be head work to make the boat
shoot lightly forward. Yes-yes ! must
see them"
II was few days before Christmas,
that this brief conversation took place.
On Christmas day, the old gentleman
arrived by the stage in S.. He en-,
tered the farm house of Peter Miller,
which, neither within or without, pre-
scented an air of thrift or comfort.
A hearty welcome did Uncle Ben re-
ccive from Peter and Hannah, and the
children. OF the latter, there were four
living-ihree had died. The Oldest
was Ellen, girl in her l6,h year, Hen.
ry. Just IA, cane next. Between him
aud Hannah brigh. noisy creature, z
years old, there had teen a brother and
sister; but two small hillocks in the
graveyard near by, marked the spo,
where The dust was mingled with lis
kindred dust. A baby, 2 years old,
completed the household treasures.
The pleasure fel. at his coming beam
ed from every countenance. Peter was
talkative and cheerful, and Hannah's
face was lit up with constant success
sion Of smiles. After supper however.
end the quiet Of the evening made the
thought sober. Peter grew silent and
Hannah now and then sighed involunta-
rily. .fse
"How are you getting on now Peter!"
Gtked Mr.. Hicks. "Not so well as |
could wish. Uncle Ben," replied Peter.
''l'm sorry 10 hear you say that. You
were alwayr honest and industrious; and
in this country, honest industry should
rise by its own inherent buoyancy."
"Peier works hard enough, dear
knows!'' spoke up Hannah. 1--WE
ought 10 get along. IL he goes on as
he has been for the last few years, he
will break himself down."
"Thnt's bad" said Uncle Ben, "very
bad work, even hard work, is better for
the health than idleness. Rust des,roys
more than friction. But over work is
not gocd."
"That already begin to feel" said
Peter. IL give out much quicker than
Ibid some years ago." 2
'i.Bad, bad!" returned Uncle Ben, sha.
king his head. "You're just in the
prime Of life, Peter at your age could
60 through more work without. fatigue,
than at anv time before" i1i8 i@H -
"And what is worst Of an" sighed
Peter, u don't seem to gain in the easl
before hand la ac, for The last three