Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-03-12

vain for me to attempt to tell how many
times day the old farmer was called from
his regular labor, to drive the pigs or the
caItle from the grass, the grain the corn
or the garden. All these out Of door
troubles were very vexaious and very
eXpensive,-and then to crown the whole
he was mprovident as respected the wants
Of his household as he was Of his stock on
his farm. His wood-pile was often exhaust
ed, and his fences not unlTequently suffered
for it. 1t was very rare occurrence for
him 10 send grain To the mill, until the last
portion Of flour had been consumed al home
This at certain seasons Of The year, partcu-
larly in harvest time. when the streams were
frequently low, occasioned them al times to
be for day or TWO without any bread.
This improvidence introduced the old
man and his family into many disagreeable
scrapes; for their friends often called TO
visit them when there was neither bread
nor flour on the premises. One afternoon
a large company found them in this condi-
ton. The family received the visitors with
great courtesy, and every thing was agreea-
bly, pleasant until the females recollected
il would be supper time. All was now con-
sternalion and perpleXty. The old man
was summoned and despatched to negotiate
al the neighborng houses for provender.
lie was 10 beg or borrow cakes, bread
any preparation Of hour-his distressed wife
and daughter were willing to receive.
His course led him TO one Of the neigh
bors, whose wife was most notable house
wife, an un!irlng lalker, and one of such
boundess kindness, that she was ready a.
any hour Of the day or night, without fee or
reward, to visit the sick or The wounded
As ii happened, the old woman had no bread
to spare,-and feeling great sympathy with
her female neighbors, she gave loose TO that
instrument which never grows dull by us
ing. and administered herewith real chas-
tisement on the bread hnnier for not keep
ing his family better supplied with -four
But whilst in the midst of the atfliction, she
espied nice pot Of buck wheat batter just
ready for baking. Her tongue came TO rest;
she drew j, forth, and her good nature ,rl-
umphing even over desire TO scold, she
told the old man his family were quite well
come to it. lie accepted the present with
many thanks and rejoiced TO think lie bad
now obtained panacea for all the trouble
Of his household. Gfasping The treasure in
his arms, be sailed forlh,-passed safely
through big gates and little gates, over bars
and fences, until he al last sat astIide Of the
topmost rail Of that which surrounds his
dwelling. Here he rested himself, and whilst
his coun,enance beamed with exullation and
triumph, looked as though be bad never
known sorrow. Suddenly the whole COM
pany Of strangers, who had started to ram
bic round the farm. turned the corner Of the
house and came plump upon him. They
started with astonishmet to see the old man
perched up in this manner, grasping lhehuge
pot in his arms,-and be viewed them with
bewlIdering CONSERVATION. His muscles
relaxed, his arms could no longer retain their
treasure, the earthen vessel was broken by
the fall,-and his imagined supper was
spread IN one great cake on the green grass,
for the sun 10 bake and the pigs TO eat al
their leisure.