Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-09
WHOLE NO. 1873.

Of Peter Miller, in a very short space O.
time, by the newspaper. Its carefully Sc.
lected stories, ever inculcating some goot
principle. or awakening the feelings Il
warmer sympathies; its current history o
passing events; its pleasant melange OF wi
and humor; and its grave lessons Of trutf
to the understanding, and good impulse,
! to the heart, gave aliment and comfort tc
the hungry minds of parents and children
at the same time that it elevated them in
TO higher and purer and healthier re-
gion.
IN Hannah, who used to warble like {
bird from morning till night, the swee
voice of music had become dumb. Blu
ere the spring opened, that voice wa.
heard again. II sounded strangely ia.
miliar and pleasant TO Peter and in his
heart awoke thousand dear responsive
echoes.
| Peter had become different man, and
was looking hopefully forward to the
summer, when the experiments would
be tested. The change in Ellen and
Henry was quite apparent. Both be-
came excited to selfimprovement; their
father procured books, in which they
studied daily, with the regularity ofschol-
ars at school. Their hearts being in
wha, they were doing, they improved
wonderfully. This fact pleased their
parents, and increased the cheerfulness
into which they were gradually rising
During the winter their sheep were at
tackled with the distemper, from which
they had suffered so fatally the year be-
fore. Timely communications in the
Gazette from large wool growers in Ohio,
among whose focks the disease had ap-
peared, enabled him to apply remedies.
I'LL then unheard Of in his neighborhood,
and which prevented the loss OF single
animal. When spring opened Peter EN-.
ployed two extra hands in hauling
swamp muck, and ia preparing it for
certain fields that needed renovation
Had this knowledge of its valuable fer.
tllizing properties been obtained earlier
than it was, he could have used it to far
greater advantage in that years crop
As 1t was, he made saving of nearly
sl00. In many things pertaining to ag-
riculture and stock raising was Peters
mind enlightened through the Gazette.
The value of lime he never fully under
stood, until he saw il clearly set forth in
an extract from "'rhe American Farmer
that, by proper application, at small
expense, he could keep mis- fields in a
productive condition. at an expense far
less than usual. Here Peter obtained a
glimpse into the mysteries of agricultur.
al chemistry, without which no farmer
can work his ground 10 the best advan.
tage. a."..a
Harvest time come and Peter had rath-
er more than an average crop. He had
600 bushels of wheat, 500 of corn, and
200 Of potatoes. to sell, besides hay, oats,
rye, &C., sufficient to winter his stock.
Moreover, whether from the particular
treatment Of his vineyard, as suggested
by the Gazette or not, we will not ven-
tureto say, his vintage brought him $3.50.
Since the harvest, Peter had examined
weekly, with much interest, the prices in
the Gazette; & when, at last he called on
Gray e. Elder, he knew the highest SELL
ing rate 10 cent. Before offering his
produce he obtained his store bills, and
found that they were nearly four hund-
red dollars. The fact was, he had start
ed the year with scarcely dollar to live
on, and was compelled to 60 on trust for
everything until another crop could be
taken. This bill, added to his mortgage
made debt of $500. At the prices
quoted in the Gazette, all his wheat, corn
and potatoes would be absorbed, and
still over $500 debt remain. Peter had
started some $4O0 in debt, and now
would owe only $500 after the sale Of
his crops. And this more favorable
state of affairs was traced to the New
Years gift of Uncle Ben, which, when
received, had SO deeply incensed him a.
gainst the old gentleman, that even yet
he was not fully forgiven.
"What are you paying for wheat"
asked Peter, on calling at The store.
"65 cents" 'Is that the highest
"Yes."
Peter shook his head, and replied,
"Wheat is quoted in Cincinnati at 75,"
.Indeed!-Mr. Gray looked surprised.
He did no, feel SO, for he knew the
price. Yes said Peter, 1T is quoted at
75 to 80 in the Gazette 1t costs
something to get the wheat to market.
Il know it does; but not 10 cents BUSH
ell. What are You paying for corn!'
Mr.. Gray thought for some moments,
and replied. .22 cents Too far below
the Cincinnati price, said Peter. .Ah!
What is the price ihere!' 80 cents
1--WE can't give that
You can do better than % cents, ifnot
must find market in Cincinnati
How much do you wanl!'-'I want as
near the Cincinnati price as possible.
Say 72 for wheat, and "a or for corn ,
I'VE can't pay prices like those. MIR.
Miller. We'd better give up business.
Let me know the best you will do g
The partners held a consultation. and
agreed to offer 6S for wheat and 25 for
corn. Peter reflected on this, and said,
IN take tonight TO think over the mat
ter H t ;O4 6 ~
+ With fhis resnlnt;an ne want a ,u M.