The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-09-18
From the Land we Love.
A SAD STORY.


American farmers. He had the strongest horses,
the sieekest cattle, the fattest hogs, and the
woohest sheep in this country. His ploughs
made the deepest burrows and cast the widest
mould, his axes, his hoes, his scythe-blades were
the sharpest and brightest. Fences straight as
meridian lines and tall like maypoles enclosed
| the richest fields of corn and grain and the
greenest pastures Of the choicest grasses. His
daughters were just twice the number of the
graces, and all the young men for miles around
thought them to be twice as charming. His
hale, hearty sons were in number just seven
| the symbol of perfection. The world pronounced
Jonathan Pure very happy man, with his
family of thirteen dutiful children, with his
thrifty farm and his we'll filed purse. But alas |!
"there is skeleton in every closet" as says the
his neghbors, began to wear sour and dscoa-
tented look His two sons, George and Carolus
were universally popular, but thriftless to de-
gree intolerable to their shrewd, managing
father. They were following foxes and hounds
when they ought to have been following the
plough. In the very press Of harvest they
would go off to hear political Speech. In wet
weather, when no farm work could be done, they
bad been caught with books of oratory and the
last novels from the circulating library instead
of the works on agriculture and the mechanic
arts to be found on the shelves at home. To
short, they were, as Jonathan expressed if, ga
ne'er do weel set, and not like Jaco and Ben,"
his favorte sons. And so George and Carolus
got sharp blows or still sharper speeches from
the old man, while his favors were showered
upon Jaco and Ben. "Father," said George
and Carolus one day, "you gave all the boys
some of the proceeds Of the last sale Of cattle
except u.s." "You deserve nothing you are
Ian 1Iol fhoi, f.,th G.
matters grew worse, and the feeling between the
sire and sons became more and more bitter, un-
I'll the boys said plainly that they would leave
home, and begin farm of their own. ave
can't kick you out of the old house," said Jaco
and Ben. "You will starve to death if you
leave" said Mick and Swineton. awe will
whip you back" said Thad But spite of jeers
and threats, George and Carolus went off one
raw, winter morning, With no worldly gear ex-
cept few old clothes tied up in their handker-
chiefs. Upon promise to pay, they bought
little farm and knocked up logo after the
model of the substantial old homestead, which
they still remembered with foudness. They
had to work hard, but there was no one to seold
them, aud no one to fret them, and they were
very happy "Father," said. Jaco and Ben,
''your rebelious must be punished for their
insolence." "They must be whipped back" }"
said Thad. 81 thought" replied the old man,
''that you wanted your brothers away, and that
you often said that you too were involved in the
disgrace of their evil doings" "Oh but" said
Jaco and Ben, "Mick and Swineton will go away
too if these reDegades be not chastised." 'And
that severely" added Thad. "Very WE'LL" an
swered the old gentleman, "but it is a good joke
that when you tried so hard to make them run
of, you are now resolved to whip them for do
ing as you wished them to do. Il reminds me
of little story. There once lived in my town
"a" "Father, We have not got time to bear
the story" said Tbad, "we must arrange this
foggng matter first" "The boys don't lack
pluck, and some of you may get fogged instead"
replied the old man, "Mick and Swiueton are
brave and strong, they will take hold first" said
Thad "And we will call in our neighbors and
have them " ell thrashed," eagerly cried out
Jaco and Ben. "WeH, my sons, don't half
like it. The boys were Of age, aud if they bad
mind to set up for themselves, why not let
them alone. When l was fat-boat going
down. "We are in hurry just now, dear
father" and off ran the three brothers, Thad. to
stir up Mick and Swineton, who were too kindly
inclined to the runaways 6aco and Ben to hire
their neighbors some by the day and some by
the Job The hiring very successful affair.
Patrick and Poniatowski, Monsieur and Mynher,
Boil and Buffalo, &c &c, all were employed.
"Father," sai9 Jaco, II forced Sambo to take my
place. He is stronger and braver than we are,
aud will stay at home to take care of things"
"And l." said Ben, "got Buffalo to 60 for me,
be knows the country we'll around the house of
your unnatural sons and will suit better than l."
aha. ha," laughed the old gentleman, "You are
smart boys, Jaco and Ben-I'll be bound you
keep out of scrape yourselves, whoever else
you may get into one. 1t is like the little
story "Father, the hired men have come,"
interrupted Jaco and Ben. Buffalo went as
guide, and Sambo followed close behind, George
and Carolus, careless fellows as they were, were
caught mapping, but they struggled manfully
against the crowd. At last overcome, they were
tied together by the hands and dragged along
by Mick and Swineton, while Thad amused
himself with kicking them from behind. The
road back was long and tiresome.
After many weary day, the brothers reached
the old homestead faint, wet and cold, on a dark,
stormy night. The FIRE burned cheerily within,
familiar objects we're around them, the associa-
tions of childhood we're there, loving memories
came croWding back, bitterness was giving away
to tide of sweet recollections. ~
The door was opened, the old father had died
suddenly, but uncle Andy stood on the threshold
with open arms and smiling welcome in his
face. The old family table, covered with steam
ing viands, as in the centre of the room, the
old coffee pot stood simmering by the fire, and
the grateful odors reached the nostrils of the
famshiDg lads. alt is not so bad home after
all, /" shouted they joyfully, bursting from their
guards and springing into the door with the
ropes still around their arms Uncle Andy ap-
preached with the old family carver to cut the
gordian knots. just then, Jaco and Ben, who
had been scowling unseen and unnotlced IN