The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-05-11
Misteuaaeous.
JONES AND JOHNSON.
ny MARIA u. cusuNAS.

ny MARIA n. cusuNAN.
William johnson and Edwin Jones were
both of them farmers, and they were also
near neighbors. Their farms were beautiful
ly situated the soil naturally productive
So far there was not particle Of difference
between the two places. Yet they wore q
very different aspect. Johnson's buildings
looked nice and tidy. His dooryard was
clean, his house neatly painted, his windows
whole. His barn and out-buildings were
snug and comfortable, his orchard looked
thrifty, and the trees wero carefully dressed.
Now Mr.. Jones had no more Of family to
support than his neighbor, yet the aspect OF
his house and farm were very different. Old
rubbish was kicking around in the yard. that
should have been in less unsightly places ;
his house looked weather-beaten and neglec-
ted: rags were seen in spots where panes OF
glass were expected to be found {: there were
large cracks in his barn through which tho
winds of heaven had FREQ course. His ap-
plc trees were disfgured by old bark and
dead limbs in short everything seemed to
wear look of dilapidation and neglect
Edwin Jones was q hard working man, yet
everything was at loose ends with him, and
he often caught himself wondering how it
was that his neishbor johnson kept along 50
smoothly and quiet, yet had everything in
perfect order. .
Ono rainy day in tbs fall, after harvesting
was over, johnson was ut work in his tool
chamber when his ncighbor Jones entered.
"Johnson," said tho latter after he had
watched his neighbor's plane few moments,
show much did that sled Of yours cost? /
have got to have one this winter"
"Oh, that cost me nothing; made that
myself. got out the timber last winter, 80
that matters disposed of; and feel proud
of it too. It's my FIRST attempt"
"well, neighbor johnson, l don't see how
in the world you get along 30. Your farm
don't produce any more than mine docs, and
don't believe you work as hard as do
Your wife don't make any better butter than
mine; your sheep don't grow any better
wool. You raise more fruit, to be sure"
al have not 80 many trees as you"
"No, but the fruit is of better quality,
and finds u ready market"
"Yes, because have taken pains to obtain
the best gratis. My trees were the same rs
yours when we started. My cows give more
milk than yours do in winter, for they have
a warmer barn. raise more pork than you
do, because my pens arc tight and comtorta-
BILE, and 30 on"
"And suppose you are laying up mon-
ey?" muttered Jones with crest fallen
look.
"Certainly I am-about 5000 year."
$50 much !" exclaimed Jones with o look
of surprise; "why, can't lay upa single
cent in fact am running behind"
"Let me tell you the secret, said johnson,
in the kindest and most neighborly way
..Last summer saw you buy two new rakes
and two pitchforks; now, how much did
they all cost you?"
GLet's sce-two dollars and half"
"well, my fork handle got broke last win
ter, 80 did some Of my rakcs. / brought
them right up here, and when at leisure just
fixed them up. There was 80 much sayed.-
Now you have nothing at all to do to-day"
"No, indeed it rains too hard"
"But am ut work making my apple boz
es how are you going to get yoursT
"Grainison makes them for mo, and nm
to give him barrel Of apples"
(which is Us good as two dollars. Now
IL sou hire as good sled Us mine made, it
will cost you at least twelve dollars. You
see how these little things count up"
"And all this comes Of your having tools
to work with" returned Jones, whose eyes
were beginning to open.
"Yes, neighbor."
"Weil, If / had tools might save good
many sums in the course OF year, but nsv-
er have tho money to spare for them. Why
these 'ero tools Of yourn must cost morn ff-
ty dollars"
"Just about that"
"Thcn I'm mighty afraid I shall have to
scrape along with borrowed tools. shall
never have that sum to spare"
"You don't understand. Let me explain
the secret. should never have gone with q
fifty dollar bill and bought these things. 1
have produced one at q time with my grog
and tobacco money"
"Grog and tobacco money !" repeated Jones
with look Of blank surprise.
"Yes, "said johnson with smile. "Now
am going to give you lecture. / am go
ing to give you the benefit Of my experience.
The first year began on farm I used TO
have spirits by me, and every now and then
take drink to keep up my strength, said
to myself. In the long, warm days, in hay
ing and harvesting the bottle used to be pat
ronized literally. But finally began to see
that it was growing hard for me to resist !;
and 30 after celebrating upon the subject I
came to the conclusion that rum and tobac-
co did me no good, and might do much evil,
and would leave them Of, and did. So I
commenced laying up the money they cost
me. saw how much might be saved If I
could do the work myself. I had been obliged
to pay for, and 90 began buying such tools
as thought would como handy. At the end
Of the first year found had quito collec-
ton, and II had all como from money might
otherwise drank and. smoked up, and felt
healthier and happier than the year before.
knew had laid the foundation for future
good. Time passed on my grog and tobao-
co money kept coming in. 1t was now .
hammer, then o saw, then an augcr, and
another plane. bit-stock, &c., ill have
now an excellent stock Of tools; and they are
not only source OF great profit, but solid
comfort into the bargain. believe friend
Jones, in giving up my groe and tobacco
have been . great gamer. Now. DO you not
think you would do - well without Il ]"
"Jshnson," aid Jones, st length, after .