Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-09-02
MISC CELLANT.

BY AUSTIN c. DrRDiCK.

BY AUSTIN {. BURDICK.
SAMUEL TnoMrSoN and Nathan Holmes were
both of them farmers. and they were alst
near ncghbors. Their land was situated on
a beautiful ridge, and was strong and rroduc-
tive. In the natural capacity of the soil
there was not Il cent ) worth of difference IN
the two farms hut vet they bore very dis
similar aspect after they had been worked for
a number of years. Mr.. Thompson's build
ings looked neat and tidy. His door yard
was clean his windows were whole. and his
barns snug and warm, his orchards looked
thrifty. and the trees We're carefully dressed
and pruncd. Now Mr.. Holmes had no more
of Il family to support than did his nrighbnr
but vet his house and buildings. and the
rural aspect of his farm were very different.
\ few rags were to be seen in spots where
there should have been rancs Of glass yari-
Gus things were kicking about the yard that
should have been in other places there Were
large cracks IN his barns. through which the
rain and snow sometimes beat; his apple
trees were scahhcd With old bark, and III,
/ tops were dishgurcd by scraggy dead limbs
Mr. Holmes worked harcl-hurdcr if anything
than did Mr.. Thompson but yet his matters
were ALWAYS at loose ends. and he often won.
drrcd how it was that his n"ighbor pushed
things along 50 smoot'.- and kept everything
in such excellent order,
.Ah. Thompson said Holmes. one day
in early srrinr. as he came up to the door oi
the former. shave YOU got an inch uug'r :
Certainly replied rhomlso : | cam
get along on Il farm without one
| wish YOU would lend it to me for a lttl.
whilc ! have delayed sowing my grain lor
two day because my harrow is broken, and
had no tools with which to mnnd it,
I. ,.,F
Mr.. Thompson. And then, as Suddcl
thought seemed to strike him. he added
.Tncv tell me. Mr.. Holmes. that YOU lost
one of v,ur cows Yesterday
YES returned Holmes. with an uneasy
look. zone of the best cows | had
But how did it haImcn!
She hrnEc her leo
BROKE her leel How. rray1'
.Whv. YOU >,c the Door in nv tic-un wa,
rather worn upl shakv. and mint before last
She cot one Of her lors through it and snappcc
thu bone oil like i. ri}e stcm-so ! had t,
! kin her
.Ah. Mr.. Holmes. t!osc are thing, W,
farmers ourht to guard against, \ ,cry lit
tie labor at the l,rouer time would have save,
all that
L know it, said Holmes. with downcas
look and | should have fixed the floor lons
unO, if | had had the TOOLS But IL : no us,
in CRYING. What's done can't be hclpcd.'
This was ALWAYS source of great consola
ton to Mr.. llolmrS. When thing was done
he tried to feel satisfied in the reflection thai
it could not be undone. though he seldom lai,
up the experience for future use. Mr.
Thompson turned towards the shed door an,
led the way into neat. light chamber. an,
Holmes followed. Here was II stout bench al
fixed for handy use. and unon il was n ful
set of planes. saws. GAUGES. mnllcts. hammers
etc. while in II small rack AGAINST the narti
tion. were ARRANGED a set of cnisels. gimblets
files and screw drivers and overhead hun,
some half dozen different sized aucers. |,
short there was everything here that MAJ
could possiblv need in building and rcuairin,
about the house.
MIR. Thomson took down an inch auroj
and handed it 70 lis ucirhbor. and as he di,
SO he remarked
Il have not seen vour son Thomas obout
for two ar three dny: Is Inc .irki'
We'll. NOT exactly sick. but he's oot yer,
bad foot. lie cnn't stem ON il,
.Ah. how did that ha,nrn =
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