The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-03-07
The Strawberry Boy.

The strawberry BOY. .
The following simple and unvarnished sto-
ry is strictly true. 1t is given as horticul-
tural item, to illustrate the progress in early
fife of young horticultural in that particu-
lar branch ofindustry: ..-+...
Fourteen years ago last may, on saturday
at noon, boy called at my house to sell
strawberries. He was of slender form, ap-
pearently about fourteen years of age, with
bright and intelligent conntenance. The
fruit was beautiful and tempting, but / had
bought enough at market in the morning for
dinner and for tea, and refused to buy any
more. He observed that his strawberries
had just been picked from the vines, and
would keep for Sunday. My wife was much
pleased with his gentle and pleasant man.
ners, and decided at once to purchase, and
to engage daily supply from him for the
season. Upon inquiry, we learned, that,
with his father and young brother, he cul-
tivated vegetables and fruit to sell in Gin
cinnati market, on small place near New
port, Kentucky; and that he had a taste for
horticulture and books, and that no effort
wss spared to improve his knowledge in
both. In summer he titled the soil--in
winter the mind. ,.----
For three years we were regularly suppli-
ed by this boy, from the earliest to the la
test period of the season, with strawberries
freshly gathered, of fine quality, and moder-
ate prices; he then supplied us with raspber-
les in succession.
The fourth year, we missed him " on his
accustomed round;" and feared we should
see him ne more. My wife felt a good
deal disappointed and worried about it.
He was SO intelligent and obliging, 30
gentle and engaging in his manners, that
she had taken great fancy to him. Be-
sides all this, where could we supply our Ia
BILE with such fine strawberries brought dali
ly to the house! Various inquiries were
made for him, but nothing could be heard of
him. She only knew his Christian name;
the other, if she had ever heard it, had esca-
ped her memory. She recolected to have
observed an occasional hectic flush on his
cheek, and feared the felldestroyer consumP-
ton had marked him for its own. Poor boy!
she said she, we shall never see him again
Years had passed away, and we had ceas-
ed to speak about him, when one day young
man of gentle appearance called atmy store,
and, presenting his hand, asked if remem-
bered him. In the hurry and bustle of bus
mess one forms SO many acquaintances that
it is not easy to recollect names andfaces.--
/ answered that did not. He replied that
when boy he used to supply us with straw
berries, and he then inquired kindly for my
wife and shildren. .~
He stated, that by diligence in his horti.
cultural pursuits he had saved some money
and was then interested in a small store ir
neighboring town. | was delighted to see
him, and to hear ofhis prosperity, and cor
dial invitation to my house, but he pleaded
want of time, and departed. On reaching
home in the evening, my wife was mucl
r pleased to hear that her young friend, tn
n Strawberry Boy," was living and well, bu
3 felt rather sighted at his not calling to SCI
8 her. .....,....s. ...-... ,,s ,.sry
s Two years ago, when I saw him again
e he was comparatively rich, worth some $50,
r 600; had married the daughter of a late dis
+ tinguished lawyer, and had purchased ant
e was then residing in his fine mansion in on
|. of the cities opposite our own.'' occupie
d in business Of public trust and respoosibili
e ty, he lived respected and esteemed BY al
e neighbors. He is well known to many Q
o our citizens in Cincinnati. With all thi
e prosperity, he had the good sense toremem
y Der that he was the" little Strawberry Boy.
y and no doubt he feels prouder Of being th
n architect Of his own fortune, from ,that foun
Q dation, than if he'll inherited ten times a
n much from his ancestors Horticultuysst.
. An ART REpLT.-The following may b
! old but it is good ral7d IN u
= Husband, I don't know where that DO,
RI gets his bad temper--not from me I'm sure
ll.Pr ,Nomy dear. for 1 don,t perceive that yo'
Z have lost any ssh 4 eaeaTsa I'D ssag
vi
e Cty Broom corn -four has been tried j.
II Pittsburg. The way i, % bake i iittl'
ID lonrsrthan bnckwhsat; mix the dough witt
81 lille soda and you wilihaye more delight
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